Table of Contents
Coromandel Road Trip Itinerary – Where it Takes You
Distance: 686 kms
Coromandel Road Trip Start – Auckland
- 3m x 3m gazebo with walls. Provides cover and protection from the elements. A sheet of shade cloth provides a durable and convenient floor for the gazebo.
- Waeco 50 litre 12v/24v/240V fridge/freezer. Can be run off the auxiliary battery in the vehicle or directly from powered camp sites.
- Folding chairs and tables.
- Bedding – double sleeping bag with pillows and doona.
- Butane gas cookers, with assorted cookware, cutlery and crockery.
- LED lighting.
- Plan on paying somewhere around NZ$150 – $175 per day for this basic setup. We added in the gazebo/flooring ourselves.
First Stopover – Flaxmill Bay
Because of the flexibility offered by the campervan setup, the first choice in places to stay is campgrounds. The first destination on this Coromandel road trip is Flaxmill Bay Campground. It’s a nice introduction to the whole area. To get from Auckland to Coromandel, drive south from Auckland along State Highway 1, then take Exit 477 to get onto State Highway 2. Flaxmill Bay as a destination isn’t recognised by Google Maps and some GPS units. Key in ‘Ferry Landing’ and it will direct you towards the end of Purangi Road. It’s here you will see the entry point to the campground. The campground itself has excellent facilities, with grassy campsites set amongst trees. There are showers ($2 coin for hot water), toilets and an outdoor eating area. There is a camp kitchen with gas cooktops, commercial grade fridges and freezers for use by guests. There’s also a good Wi-Fi service for all the digital nomads. For those who don’t want to camp, there are holiday houses and cottages available for rent. Both are fully self-contained. There are 11 holiday houses and 4 cottages, two holidays houses of which have wheelchair friendly access. The houses are spacious, fully-equipped suitable for family or group accommodation, while the cottages are best suited for couples.
Travel time: 3 hrs 30 mins with breaks
Time Spent: 2 – 4 days (excluding travel day)
Cost per night (powered site/2 people): NZ$75 per night (expect to pay more over peak holiday periods around Xmas and Easter)
Things to See and Do Around Flaxmill Bay
For a truly unique experience, and to get up close to this part of the coastline, we’d personally recommend Cathedral Cove Kayak Tours. They run tours daily during the busier times, and the guides know the area like the back of their hand. They also do a really great ‘smoko’ (morning tea break). Alternatively, it’s possible to drive to Whitianga, but it takes about 40 minutes. There’s also tourist information centre in the main part of town. The staff are very helpful in sorting out tours, accommodation and providing general information on the area. Depending on the time of year you’re in the area, go to a festival.
Second Stopover – Coromandel Town & Surrounds
It’s a short drive over the peninsula to Coromandel Town. There are two ways to get from Flaxmill Bay to Coromandel. The more direct route goes south on Highway 25, then through Caroglen, Kaimarama, Waiau into Coromandel from a south easterly direction. The second route detours through Whitianga, then around Mercury Bay up to Kuaotunu and then across to Coromandel Town. This adds about 20 minutes to the road trip, but the scenery along the way makes it worth it. Tree ferns and greenery cloaking the rugged landscape. Coromandel is where the visitor changes down a gear or two. It’s a busy town during the peak holiday season, but this doesn’t mask its charm and character. It is a good placed to be located to branch off and explore the more remote parts of the northern Coromandels. There are a couple of good campgrounds/holiday parks close to the town.
Travel time: 1 hr 30 mins
Time Spent: 2 – 4 days (excluding travel day)
Cost per night (powered site/2 people): NZ$30 – $50 per night
Where to Stay
Shelly Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park
This is located 5 kilometres (3 miles) north of Coromandel Town along the Colville Road. It has a mix of lodge rooms, cabins, units and camping accommodation with both powered and unpowered sites. A recent addition to the campground are glamping pods, six in total. These are compact, boutique structures of wooden construction with curved roofs. One of the trends happening on a universal scale is the move towards glamping, with traditional campgrounds catering for a more upmarket visitor looking for that unique experience. Visitors staying in the pods use the common toilet/shower/kitchen facilities at this point in time, but I’m sure this will change as their popularity grows. There is a common dining and entertainment room with sofa, wooden tables/chairs. Shared kitchen facilities are good, with gas cooktops, sinks, fridge/freezers and island table. Lodge accommodation has its own exclusive dining/lounge and kitchen area, which is light and roomy. The shower/toilet block is large enough for a campground of its size, and is central to the camping area. No long hikes in the middle of the night to go to the toilet. Again, the trend in campgrounds that have a great location like this is the move towards increasing visitor density with a consequent increase in the number of people staying. A side issue is some campgrounds don’t increase the size of the common facilities to cater for the increase in visitor numbers. This is not the case with this holiday park. Fishing is a large drawcard here. There is a separate parking area for boats and associated vehicles, so the campground doesn’t become a congested parking lot. Generally, it’s an enjoyable place to stay with the local staff being very friendly and helpful. It’s right on the water, and is family friendly with outdoor movie screenings during the busier times. For more information and details on accommodation options and prices, head over to their website. Want to know the BEST way to see NZ! Then take a look at hiring a campervan from JUCY and take in the best of New Zealand. Click here to make a booking now. Located about 3 kilometres (1.9 miles) north of town, this is the traditional, no frills family owned and operated holiday park. It has a great location and the campsites along the front have uninterrupted views across the bay. The only downside to the front campsites is when the wind picks up. It gets very blustery and unpleasant. There are free-standing cabins, five in total, suitable for up to six people each. Another three attached cabins with a shared verandah/deck. There’s also a beach front unit that is fully self-contained. The main camping area consists of 52 powered sites and 26 non-powered sites. Campsite size is generous and can accommodate RVs, caravans and larger campervans. The common kitchen is small for a park of this size. This also goes for the showers and toilets. It’s also a hike to the toilet/showers from the extremities of the park. A boat ramp is located along the front, and used by the public as well as those staying in the campground. This can lead to traffic coming and going. We are here during the peak New Year season, and it isn’t a big issue. Maybe because it was windy during our stay, keeping the regulars away. The reception area has a small store where bread and basic items can be purchased. They also make a really good coffee. Wraps and sandwiches can be bought at a small food van by the interesting name of the “Shag Shack”, permanently located near the front entrance to the camp ground. Wi-Fi access can be purchased from reception. The speed and reliability is not particularly good, so those amongst us who are digital nomads may need to go into town to get access to a more reliable service. Des and Leanne, who own and run the facility, are wonderful people. They are generous and helpful to all visitors who stay with them. Adjacent to the Long Bay campground is Tucks Bay, also managed by Des and Leanne. 25 campsites here are non-powered with basic composting toilets and town water access. They are for the more self-sufficient, down to earth campers.Layout and Facilities
Long Bay Motor Camp
Layout and Facilities
Things to Do Around Coromandel
With hundreds of kilometres of coastline backed by a rugged landscape, there’s two experiences that are a ‘must-do’.
The Coromandel Coastal Walkway
There is one steep section where the trail dips down to Poley Bay and then rises back up again, other than that it’s pretty much flat travelling. We choose to ride the walkway on electric powered mountain bikes (e-MTBs). Just to be different. These electric motor-powered bikes are simply awesome. Leanne and Gavin from Bush e Bikes, who are based in town and run an excellent Coromandel bike hire business. They hire both standard mountain bikes and electric mountain bikes. They look after getting us and the bikes up to Stony Bay and picking us up from Fletcher Bay after the ride. It takes about 2.5 hours going via Kennedy Bay and Tuateawa to get to Stony Bay. The roads north of Colville are unsealed, but in good condition. If you’re in a hire campervan or vehicle, check your T&C’s carefully before you drive around this part of the peninsula. There may be an exclusion condition about driving north of Colville, basically meaning you’re not covered if an accident occurs. We set off on the e-MTBs and rode/walked the 10 kilometres. The dip and rise out of Poley Bay meant we put the ‘Walk Assist’ on the e-MTBs to good use. There is a dedicated mountain bike trail from Stony Bay to Fletcher Bay, but our understanding it’s very steep, often slippery and technical in places. This particular walkway is better as a hiking/tramping experience rather than a e-MTB experience. Simply because of the width of the trail in parts and the more technical/steep sections getting into and out of Poley Bay. But we’re glad we did it.
Bush e Bikes ‘Big Day Out’
We don’t do the full trip. Leanne offers a shorter version of this tour by dropping us and the e-MTBs up at the top of the range at Tokatea. The ride goes along a trail in the secluded bush, which opens up onto private farmland that only Bush e Bikes have access to. The views are just stunning. We stop for a break, to take in the vista before us. The property owner, Zane and his wife drop by in their AV, to say ‘Hello’ and welcome us. The last 7 kilometres is on the sealed road into Colville. Before we get to our destination, we take a break at the Mahamudra Buddhist Centre. The more adventurous will ride back to Coromandel, hugging the coast road. However, we stop here in Colville, have a bite to eat and a coffee. We reflect on the day, the unparalleled beauty and sheer magnificence of it all. The 18 kms we’ve ridden is the best of the best. And that’s good enough for us. Gavin will pick us up around 5:30pm to take us back to Coromandel. Leanne and Gavin put together this shorter tour for us. They are extremely accommodating, and if you want to get the best of the northern peninsula, drop in and see them.
Things to See and Do in Colville
The communes have all but disappeared, but Colville still has the wonderful feel of an era when Love and Peace was both the journey and the destination.
Third Stopover – Whangamata
The Coromandel road trip takes us down the west coast of the peninsula into Thames. This is a major town in the area, and it a good place to stock up on any items after the stay in Coromandel. Staying on Highway 25 through Kopu, Opoutere, Onemana then into Whangamata (pronounced ‘fah-anga-mah-tah’). This stopover takes in a unique kayak paddle that’s worth doing to a small island off the coast called Whenuakura Island (Donut Island). The island is close to shore at Whangamata, and the unique aspect of the paddle is to be able to access a lagoon in the centre of the island by a narrow channel from the sea.
Travel time: 2 hrs
Time Spent: 1 – 2 days (excluding travel day)
Things to See and Do in Whangamata
If you’re looking for a more cultural experience, then drop into some galleries in town.
Best Place to Stay
Return to Auckland
The last day is back to Auckland, to return the campervan and get out to Auckland Airport for the return trip home.
Travel time: 2 hrs 30 minutes with stop
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Department of Conservation – Coromandel Campgrounds
Visitors undertaking a New Zealand road trip require a campsite pass if travelling in a campervan, which varies in cost from $30 per single adult up to $90 for a family for seven consecutive days. They can be purchased through the major campervan hire companies. Walkers doing the Coromandel Coastal Walkway will find the following camping grounds perfect if they want to stay for a few days. Always check beforehand on the DoC website for any closures or alerts.
Special Thanks
Sue and Phillip Noble – many thanks for accommodating us, while Marise frantically sorted out some last-minute campervan issues; and fitting in a kayak paddle as well! Andre Hodgskin – a huge thanks for your wonderful hospitality at “High Hills”, and being our guide and driver as we gathered last minute supplies and gear before setting out on this road trip.
Last Look
How We Travel
- Being as self sufficient/flexible as possible. Hire a basic campervan, or take our own 4WD with camper trailer, staying at quality holiday parks and camping grounds that cater for recreational vehicles. Where appropriate, we bush camp. We don’t join extended package tours; they don’t work for us. Some of the most wonderful experiences we’ve had were locals telling us about a place we’d not even heard of. Change our itinerary, and go and see/do it. Likewise, if a place doesn’t suit, we just keep going.
- If we’re travelling off-season, we normally book where we’re staying a few days ahead of where we are on the road. However, we always book our first night or two, and our last night before departure; before we leave home.
- Depending on location or the weather, we may book a cabin or an AirBnB.
- Use short self-guided/guided tours for a some locations and attractions. This gives us access to the right gear, and the local knowledge.
- Self cater as much as possible, with the occasional dining out experience. Marise is an expert in putting together simple, tasty, wholesome meals that can be cooked on a single burner butane stove.
This approach gives the best value for our budget; and almost unlimited flexibility.
The caveat on this approach is there is a need to plan ahead carefully, and be flexible and adaptive during the road trip. If something goes pear shaped at the last minute, there is no travel operator to sort it out. You just have to get on the phone, and talk to people to get an alternative in place. Read our trip notes on the campervan story.
Resources and Further Information
Eggcentric Café and Restaurant – www.eggsentriccafe.co.nz Cathedral Cove Kayak Tours – www.kayaktours.co.nz Shelly Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park – www.shellybeachcoromandel.co.nz Long Bay Motor Camp – longbaymotorcamp.co.nz Full Big Day Out – Tokatea Trail – bushebikes.co.nz/big-day-out Coromandel Discovery Tours (also run by Leanne and Gavin) – www.coromandeldiscovery.com/tours Donut Island Kayak Tours – – www.pedalandpaddle.co.nz/donutisland Complete list of things to see and do around Whangamata – www.thecoromandel.com/activities-around-whangamata Department of Conservation Camping (Coromandels) – www.doc.govt.nz/camping-coromandels Maryann and Russell’s AirBnB – www.airbnb.com.au/Studio-413
Kendall
I’ve always wanted to visit New Zealand. The road trip idea looks like so much fun!
Nicola
This trip looks like a dream! We’re looking at heading to New Zealand this year so we’ll need to follow in your footsteps! Thank you for sharing all the details!
Keith
You’re very welcome Nicola. It’s a great holiday destination.
Danijela
Sometimes the best way to travel is by a campervan. So true, it offers such flexibility and a chance to stop whenever you feel like it. Didn’t know that fuel is more expensive in New Zealand.
Nice tips you have here.
Flaxmill Bay looks just gorgeous, would love to visit someday.
Keith
Fuel, and camper van hire, is much more expensive in NZ than in Australia. For camper van hire, it’s by about a factor of 2. Even though the exchange rate for overseas visitors works in their favour, we advise people to shop around and book early if you can.
Maggie
I’ve never heard of this area of New Zealand but it sounds really interesting. I know I’d want to do the DOnut Island kayak tour because I love kayak tours! And I’d also like to test out the e-bikes. We actually have those here in DC, but those are city bikes, not ones made for trails, so I’m interested to see how they differ!
Keith
It’s beautiful Maggie. Well worth a visit. Do try the e-MTBs. You won’t regret it. 🙂
Sage
To take a trip like this would truly be a dream come true. I have long wanted to visit New Zealand. I mean, just look at how gorgeous it is from your photos!
Keith
It sure is a beautiful place to visit. Well worth a visit. Just got to put it on your bucket list. 🙂
Vanessa (Wanders Miles)
I’ve always fancied visiting New Zealand and this road trip round Coromandel looks fantastic and the W Caravelle looks like the perfect choice to take you around. Flaxmill Bay looks so idyllic, I bet the walk to Shakespeare Cliff Scenic and Historic Reserve is a lovely experience. I’d be well up for the Bush e Bikes tour to see the lovely landscape at its best. Great article!
Keith
Thanks Vanessa. The Coromandels is a sparsely populated, incredibly beautiful part of NZ. It’s not hard to get away from the crowds, even over busy periods like Christmas.
Audrey C
Thanks for outlining such an interesting itinerary with so much to see and do. I’m really interested in trying out e-bikes and glamping on a trip after reading your post. And the scenery looks amazing!
Keith
Thanks Audrey. I can tell you – e-bikes are the way to go! When you get the chance, try one.