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