Your trip begins in Rotorua where you'll be picked up around 8:30am. If you're beginning your trip in Matamata, you'll be picked up around 9:30am.
Warm up with a 5km hike to the top of Wairere Falls, an old Māori pack trail leading to the North Island’s highest waterfall, where we can view the verdant Waikato Basin from two lookouts over-hanging 153 metres of thunderous waterfall.
As we continue north, enjoy views out over the mussel farms of the Hauraki Gulf from one of New Zealand's classic coastal drives, the Coromandel west coast. Make a brief stop at Waiomu for refreshments before exploring the Waiomu Kauri Grove - this little known trail heads deep into a protected ecological reserve scattered with majestic Kauri trees New Zealand's very own forest giants that grow up to 50 metres tall. Drive further up the Coromandel Peninsula in the late afternoon to reach your lovely accommodation, and watch the sunset from the verandah with a glass of wine or ice cold brew. Includes lunch and dinner.
Enjoy three nights in a cosy Hush boutique studio, in a beautiful New Zealand bush setting and surrounded by an abundance of bird life. Each studio has been designed with simplistic comfort in mind, offering a chance to relax and unwind amongst nature.
Enter the hidden world of the Kauaeranga Valley, home to the majestic Pinnacles range. The entire length of the Coromandel Peninsula was once a chain of volcanic cones. This chain has since been eroded and weathered to form the spectacular series of outcrops you see today.
The Pinnacles trail climbs through re-generating kauri forest, passing one of New Zealand's best preserved kauri dams, eventually cresting the top of the range to reach the Pinnacles Hut. From the hut, a scramble to the top of the Pinnacles rock formation rewards you with 360° views of the entire Coromandel Peninsula and beyond.
If the Pinnacles isn't your style and you would prefer a more relaxing day you have the option of staying in and exploring Coromandel Township. Highlights include the Driving Creek Railway, local artisan workshops, short walks, cafes, and colourful Coromandel culture. Take the time to relax in paradise.
A fabulous day of walking is topped off with a celebratory meal at one of Coromandel town's fine restaurants. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Travel east around the Peninsula towards Whitianga. Hike to the golden sand beaches and azure green waters of one of the top 20 best beaches in the world, New Chums Beach (tide dependent). Relax and absorb the natural beauty amidst the bird and marine life that thrives within this precious ecosystem.
After a restorative café pit-stop nearby, we’ll carry on around for a refreshing picnic lunch overlooking Buffalo Beach in sunny, vibrant Whitianga. Continuing around the east coast, we’ll visit the 309 Kauri walk, an easy 30 minute stroll to a beautiful grove of majestic kauri trees, then have you safely back to either Thames between 3 – 4pm, Matamata between 4 – 5pm or Rotorua between 5 – 6pm to meet your onward travel connections. Includes breakfast and lunch.
