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COROMANDEL
Friday 19 - Saturday 27 February 2021
8 nights
DISCOVER NZ
TOUR OVERVIEW
On this leisurely exploration of the Coromandel Peninsula, immerse yourself in an area that is renowned for
coastal towns and beach baches, but has so much more to offer. Weave up and down the coast enjoying
breath-taking coastal vistas around every turn while visiting quirky and interesting small towns. Marvel at the
juxtaposition of sub-tropical native rain forest, farmland and golden sand beaches. We will be in no rush so we
can take our time to explore the nooks and crannies of this laid-back part of New Zealand. For those who want,
there are a number of easy walks each with special character: native bush and birds, spectacular coastal views,
pioneering and gold mining history.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
• Visit the iconic Driving Creek Railway and
Pottery Centre created by the late Barry
Brickell
• Take a magical walk on the Coromandel
Coastal Walk between Stony and Fletcher
bays, one of the finest half day walks in New
Zealand
• See the iconic rock arch of Cathedral Cove,
a favourite of Hollywood films and the beach
that launched a million postcards
• Visit the magnificent Kauaeranga Valley –
home of mighty Kauri, giant of the forest
• Enjoy walks on peaceful nature’s trails with
abundant native bush and bird life
• Spend some free time at the most beautiful
golden beaches in the country
• Explore the gold mining history of the
picturesque Karangahake gorge and explore
the Windows Walk.
TOUR EXCLUSIONS
• Domestic travel to Hamilton (flights can be
booked for you at an additional cost)
• Travel insurance
• Meals not specified in the itinerary
• Beverages during included meals, unless
specified
• Personal expenses
• If you wish to pay by credit card, a surcharge of
2.5% will be charged
TOUR INCLUSIONS
• The services of an experienced Calder & Lawson
Tours tour manager
• 8 nights accommodation
• Meals as specified in the itinerary
• Local guides
• All group transfers
• Admissions as detailed in the itinerary
• Activities and sightseeing tours with local guides as
detailed in the itinerary
• Pre-tour material
TOUR PRICE
Share twin or double occupancy NZD$3,390
Single Supplement NZD$ 990
Please contact Calder & Lawson Tours if you are interested in a single occupancy place, as they are limited.
GROUP SIZE Minimum 10, maximum 18
VARIATIONS IN TRAVEL We can make arrangements for any travel you would like to do before or after this
tour. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.
IS THIS TOUR FOR ME? This is a comprehensive tour of the Coromandel Peninsula,
perfect for those who have never had the chance to visit, but
equally appealing if you have visited the beach towns of the
East coast of the Peninsula but not explored further. To make
the most of the tour, the ability to walk for up to 2 hours is
recommended. There will be an optional longer walk from
Stony Bay to Fletcher Bay which is an easy 3-4 hour walk.
DAILY ITINERARY
Leaving Hamilton in the afternoon, you will travel across the Hauraki Plains to
Thames. When you arrive in Thames, you will visit the Thames Goldmine
Experience, going through an operational 19th century stamper battery and
into one of the richest goldmines of the time. You will be staying two nights in
Thames.
Thames comes alive on Market Day! Lining up and down both sides of the
main street, this lively market has a large number of stalls with an eclectic
range of goods, from old books to home made food and fresh produce.
Later spend time at the Kauaeranga Valley Visitors Centre which is staffed
by DoC Rangers and learn about the history of kauri logging and Maori
occupation in the area.
You’ll leave Thames early, and after a short drive along the Thames Coast,
stop for breakfast at the Waiomu Beach Café. Then take an optional 5km
round trip walk to the Waiomu Kauri Grove. This is along an old pack saddle
route used by miners over 100 years ago and leads to one of the finest
remaining kauri stands. It’s an easy grade walk except at the end where it
gets a bit steeper to the kauri grove.
Further up the coastal road, stop at the Rapaura Water Gardens on the
Tapu-Coroglen Rd. Abundant native bush and ferns, birds (tui, fantail, silver
eyes and wood pigeon), meandering walks over bridges and streams and a
bush walk to a cascading waterfall await you here. There are seasonal
displays of native and exotic flowers. Orchids, begonias, hydrangeas and
water lilies are in flower from November to April. Carry on to Coromandel
township and Driving Creek Railway and Potteries. This is the labour of love
of the late Barry Brickell who built New Zealand’s steepest narrow gauge
railway and pottery studio in the hills of the Coromandel. Climb through
regenerating native forest where unique pottery sculptures and murals line
the track and enjoy the spectacular views over the Hauraki Gulf.
This morning you’ll head further north on the Peninsula, to Colville Valley and
the Mahamudra Centre for Universal Unity. We will be their guests for a stroll
in their gardens and take a tour of their centre. Lunch will be at the Colville
Café before heading to the Tangiaro Kiwi Retreat nestled beneath Moehau
Mountain near Sandy Bay. Birdsong and a meandering stream are the
only sounds to be heard. Visit the gorgeous nearby beaches - Little Bay,
Waikawau and Sandy Bay.
Today, you will be right at the top of the east coast of the Peninsula where
you start the Coromandel Coastal Walk over to Fletcher Bay on the
west coast. This is an old bridle path formed by early pioneers. Taking the
track from Stony Bay heading towards Fletcher Bay, crossing farmland and
heading through coastal forest, there are spectacular views of the
Pinnacles, Great Barrier Island (Aotea Island) to the north and Cuvier Island
(Repanga Island) in the east. The track follows an easy gradient with a short
steep section in to and out of Poley Bay. A sign posted lookout about an
hour along the track makes a shorter walking option, and gives outstanding
views along the coast north to Sugar Loaf and the Pinnacles and south
towards Port Charles.
An option for people who don’t want to walk will be a visit to The
Waterworks, a unique set of water powered inventions and quirky
contraptions followed by lunch and free time in Coromandel township.
Friday 19 February 2021
Hamilton - Thames
Meals: D
Coach: 1 hours 30 minutes
Overnight: Thames
Saturday 20 February
Thames
Meals: B/D
Overnight: Thames
Sunday 21 February
Thames - Coromandel
Meals: B/D
Coach: 1 hour
Overnight: Coromandel
Monday 22 February
Coromandel - Tangiaro
Meals: B/L/D
Overnight: Tangiaro
Tuesday 23 February
Tangiaro - Coromandel
Meals: B/L/D
Walk: 10kms, 3-4 hours, easy
grade - optional
Coach: 2 hours 30 minutes
Overnight: Coromandel
HOW TO SECURE YOUR PLACE ON THIS TOUR
A deposit of $500 is required to secure your place on the tour. When minimum numbers are reached, the tour will
become a ‘confirmed departure’ and your deposit will be non-refundable. At that point we will advise when the
tour payment will be due. If the tour is unable to operate as a result of government travel restrictions
due to Covid-19, you will have the choice of transferring your deposit to another tour or receive a full refund.
• Click here to complete the online registration form, pay the $500 per person deposit and your place in this
tour is secured.
• Or you can complete a paper registration form. You can down load one from the website
www.calderandlawsontours.co.nz, or give us a call and we will email or post one to you.
• TERMS & CONDITIONS
Can be found on the website www.calderandlawsontours.co.nz, on the back of the paper registration form
or on the summary page when you complete an online registration. If you wish to pay by credit card, a
surcharge of 2.5% will be charged.
VARIATIONS
This itinerary is Version 2 dated 22/06/2020 and is subject to change.
After breakfast, you’ll travel over the Coromandel Ranges past Matarangi
and the alluring Whangapoua Harbour. Enjoy a coffee at the iconic
Kuaotunu Luke’s Café, then on to Whitianga and a free afternoon.
This morning, board Ocean 2, an ex-coastguard vessel for a coves, cliffs and
coastline boat trip to Cathedral Cove. Sail with a local and learn about the
local history and geology and look out for birds, fish and sea mammals. Later
in the day you will have some free time and may choose to visit the Lost
Spring Spa, perhaps enjoying a cocktail in the thermal pool.
Today travel south via Hot Water Beach, popular for a patch of thermal
water bubbling just beneath the surface of the sand at low tide. Hopefully
the tide will be right for a paddle. Continue on past Sailors Grave and
through Tairua to Whangamata. You’ll have some time in the afternoon for a
walk on the beach, check out the main street shops or head to the wharf to
watch the boats come in. Our farewell dinner this evening will be at a local
restaurant.
Travel south to Waihi then head west through the Karangahake Gorge to
Paeroa. A nationally significant gold heritage site, Karangahake Gorge was
once a maze of bridges, trams and water races. The regenerating native
bush and crystalline currents of the Waitawheta River makes for a beautiful
nature spot.
The Windows Walk is one of the most interesting in the area because of the
mining remnants with windows blasted through the sides of gold mining
tunnels providing stunning views down into the Waitewheta River.
A late afternoon journey back to Hamilton with a stop for fish & chips (own
expense) at the now famous Golden Kiwi Takeaways in Morrinsville (thanks to
their former employee, New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern) where
they serve the freshest fish in the Waikato.
Wednesday 24 February
Coromandel - Whitianga
Meals: B/D
Coach: 2 hours
Overnight: Whitianga
Thursday 25 February
Whitianga
Meals: B/D
Overnight: Whitianga
Friday 26 February
Whitianga - Whangamata
Meals: B/D
Coach: 1 hour 30 minutes
Overnight: Whangamata
Saturday 27 February
Whangamata - Hamilton
Meals: B
Coach: 1 hour 30 minutes
Photo credits: Destination Coromandel
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