How to get there and things to do
Hot Water Beach is approximately two and a half hours from Auckland. While there are bus services to the Coromandel available, there is pretty minimal public transport once you are there, so it would be wise to look at hiring a car for the trip, or coordinating your travel with other guests.
From overseas/guests who will need to fly:
Fly into Auckland airport, then (assuming you have picked up a rental car) take State Highway 1 (SH1) south towards Pokeno and Hamilton.
Turn off onto SH 2 (signposted to Tauranga/Coromandel Peninsula), and then look out for the signs for SH 25 Coromandel Peninsula.
Driving to Orua Beach House:
You can reach Hot Water Beach via either side of the Coromandel Peninsula (but travelling up the east side is a lot quicker). If you are driving from Auckland, once you reach Kopu, the most direct route is via SH 25A, which will join onto SH 25 and take you through Tairua towards Hot Water Beach and Whitianga.
Take the turnoff to Hot Water beach, and drive along Hot Water Beach Road, until the road splits (Hot Water Beach Road continues to the right), while Link Road heads to the left. Turn left along Link Road, and look out the handy wedding signs on the righthand side of the road after approx 1km.
Roads to avoid!
Google Maps will often suggest using the 309 road between Preece Point and Kaimarama, or the Tapu - Coroglen road as a "quick" way of getting from one side of the Peninsula to the other. These roads are really narrow, windy and slow going (think similar to the Forgotten Highway in Taranaki). We'd recommend avoiding them!!
Keen for a tiki tour?
If you have the time, another scenic option from Kopu is to go up the western side of the peninsula through Tapu, Coromandel Township, Te Rerenga, Kuaotunu, and Whitianga. This way is longer but the drive is really beautiful (and it's the way Tim's family always used to drive to their bach in Opito Bay).
Highlights along the way include:
- the bakery in Coromandel town (the Coromandel Bakehouse). From Coromandel you can head further up the peninsula where the bays are less built up and busy.
- a detour to Whangapoua, and from here you can walk around the headland to New Chums beach (where we got engaged).
- If you stop for a bite to eat in Kuaotunu you'll find Luke's Kitchen, which has great food, and if you have space left afterwards, the General Store around the corner makes the biggest ice creams you've ever seen!
The Coromandel Peninsula is full of beautiful beaches, great walks and coastal towns to explore, as well as great fishing/diving spots!
These are only a few recommendations to get you started! For more information and ideas, check out:
www.newzealand.com/au/coromandel/
Places to visit
Opito Bay:
Tim's family have spent summers here since the 60s, so it has to top the list! Opito bay is a beautiful, peaceful beach at the end of the Blackjack road from Kuaotunu. There are rock pools at the northern end, an old Maori Pa site at the southern end, and if you walk up over the southern headland you can explore Crayfish Bay just around the corner (ask the O'Briens for directions).
Hotwater Beach:
At the opposite end of the bay from Orua Beach House there are natural hot springs located under the beach. At low tide you can dig your own hot pool to relax in!
Cathedral Cove:
This is another well known tourist spot just out of Hahei, with a massive natural cavern separating two beautiful beaches.
Activities:
The Pinnacles walk:
This is a spectacular 1-2 day walk over the ranges just out of Thames
https://www.newzealand.com/int/feature/the-pinnacles/
Places to Surf:
There is good surf throughout the eastern side of the peninsula, particularly around Whangamata, Onemana Pauanui and Waihi. Most of the towns will have surf shops running lessons and renting boards if you need.
Wentworth Valley:
This is located just inland from Whangamata, and has a walk up to water falls, as well as mountain biking tracks nearby
Places to unwind
The Lost Springs (Whitianga):
If the celebrations/explorations are taking their toll, relax in the geothermal hot pools at the Lost Springs surrounded by native bush. Don't forget, if you'd prefer you can dig your own hot pool at Hot Water Beach (but you probably won't get bar service there).
https://www.newzealand.com/au/plan/business/the-lost-spring/
Colenso Cafe (between Tairua and Whitianga)
This is still Tim's parents favourite cafe in the Coromandel (that's quite a recommendation when you realise how many years they've been coming to the peninsula!).