Tairua is a small beach side town located in the Coromandel Peninsula on New Zealands’ north island.

The drive from Auckland to Tairua takes less than 2 hours, making it the perfect weekend getaway destination for a break from reality.

If you’re looking for things to do in Tairua then be sure to continue reading; the beautiful white sand beaches, hiking tracks and dormant volcanoes make Tairua the perfect hybrid holiday location for relaxation and adventure. Soak in the local hot pools in Whitianga or reach the summit of Mt Paku for incredible panoramic views across the peninsula.  

Climbing Mt Paku

Mt Paku is a dormant volcano which erupted 7-8 million years ago, throwing a flurry of rock and ash into the sky forming the peak and surrounding landscapes we see today.

Winding up through a tree lined hiking trail and several staircases, Mt Pakus’ summit can be reached within as little as 30 minutes. Although a steep climb in some areas, Mt Paku is a much easier hike than its neighbour Mt Pauanui…

Mt Paku is a fantastic hiking option for families, with well-formed paths and hand rails guiding you up through the steepest sections, Mt Paku makes for the ideal climb for young legs or a quick adventure into the wilderness. Finishing the climb with 360-degree views over Tairua and across to Pauanui makes Mt Paku the perfect location for sunrise and sunset.

Hiking Mt Paku

The walking track to Mt Paku summit can be started on Paku Drive between houses #281 and #277, this track will lead you directly to the summit will the aid of several sets of stairs. Otherwise, if you’re wanting a longer walk than don’t be afraid to park down near the beach and walk your way up through the windy roads until you meet with the walking track.

The section directly before the summit does require a bit of nimble foot work, several large boulders have formed stepping stones to climb up with the aid of a hand rail which surprisingly, does not pre date the eruption.

Once you have reached the summit and have reclaimed oxygen into your lungs, you can enjoy the incredible 360-degree view across from Tairua and Pauanui and out towards the Coromandel Forest and beyond.

A map has been placed on the summit naming and pinpointing the location of every island within clear view and sitting beyond the horizon, allowing for a spectacular perspective on where you are in New Zealand.

The Lost Spring, Whitianga

The Lost Spring in Whitianga is an extremely popular day spa and geo-thermal hot pools, visit for a relaxing swim or spoil yourself to a day spa treatment and pool side platter to nibble on while you await your refreshing cocktails.

The Lost Springs in Whitianga are adult only geo-thermal hot pools and day spa retreat nestled in the centre of Whitianga township. Popular all year round, these hot pools are worth the short drive from Tairua and are well loved among locals and visitors to the area, with a variety of pools for swimming or soaking, you can choose between different temperatures from natural spring water to a spa session hot enough to boil potatoes.

The pool side service, paired with towering native trees and rock formations that look like they’re freshly poured from a volcano, give the atmosphere of a tropical paradise. Unwind for a 2-hour visit or indulge in a massage and beauty therapy treatment. From facials to hand and feet massages you can leave Whitianga feeling like you’ve been treated like a God.

The Lost Spring has a wide range of packages to suit everyone’s needs, from the simple 2-hour hot pool entry to the lavish massage/robe/platter and cocktail package perfect for those visits that are an extra special occasion.

A Day at The Lost Spring

Bookings are essential at these Whitianga hot pools as it is a popular tourist attraction during the holiday periods. Booking times for the pool are for 2 hours, so it pays to be a little early so you don’t waste precious pool time.

Entering from the main door in front of the changing rooms, the concrete path leads you under a canopy of trees before you take view of the pools above from a short suspension bridge, welcoming you to the island paradise of The Lost Spring.

Slip into the heated pool below the bridge and paddle yourself around the bend and into the cave lit up with lights and decorated with stalactites and stalagmites. Once you’re done enjoying the mild temperature of the main pool, take a walk along the path further away from the main building which is where you can find the spa with similar temperatures to a human crockpot.

These pools are where you can find yourself a relaxing position on the rocky boarder and soak  

Finish your day with a meal in the Lost Springs Restaurant, choosing between fresh seafood or your choice of red meat or vegetarian dishes.

Tairua Accommodation: Canopy Camping Serenity Hideaway

A Canopy Camping escape is the perfect romantic getaway or holiday surprise for your significant other. Serenity Hideaway is located 10 minutes north of Tairua and sits comfortably on a farm overlooking the Coromandel Forest with not another man-made object in sight.

Serenity Hideaway is the perfect accommodation in Tairua to add a bit of sparkle to your visit to Coromandel Peninsula. The private one-bedroom cabin with separate bathroom and toilet is surrounded by native bush, a flowing stream curves its way down past the kitchen window to meet with the open aired bathroom decorated with fairy lights and sheltered by a canopy of manuka and ferns.

The open-air kitchen brings an element of spacious outdoor cooking by the wood fire while the enclosed bedroom is perfect for those nights in when you want to snuggle away from the elements.

Gracing this 80-acre lifestyle property is a range of friendly farm animals who no doubt love a little attention from new visitors. Bob the friendly Nubian goat has an identity crisis and will stop at nothing to join you in the cabin. His pen is located just beyond the cherry blossom trees, and although it appears locked and secured, he always manages to find a way to escape.

The pig sits across the valley on the neighbouring hill and often shares a pen with the miniature horses, he loves attention and a little scratch of the ears, but only pat him from above instead of through the fence as he can be a little feisty.

The horses were based in the paddocks directly below the cabin, they love a scratch on the nose and are curious enough to follow you through the paddock if you choose to explore a bit more of the farm.

There’s a flock of ducks that can be found wandering around the farm, they may pop by for a visit during the afternoon but aren’t friendly enough to get close for a pat.

Other Things to do in Tairua

Tairua has a few bars and restaurants to spend an afternoon dining in, and various clothing shops to spend a couple of hours browsing through. Otherwise if you’re looking for a bit more adventure around Tairua then think about heading to any of the neighbouring towns for a bit more adventure.

Day Trip to Pauanui

As mentioned above, Pauanui is Tairuas’ direct neighbour and can either be visited by car or by taking the ferry across the short channel that separates both towns.

Mt Pauanui is another great hike worth experiencing when you’re visiting the area, it requires a bit more effort and takes longer to climb than Mt Paku but the views are well worth it.
Pauanui beach is a beautiful white sand beach that stretches the length of Pauanui from the base of the mountain out towards Mt Paku.

Coromandel Beaches

From Optio Bay to Hot Water Beach, the Coromandel Peninsula is bordered with incredible white sand beaches and blue rolling waves. Grab yourself a shovel and head down to hot water beach at low tide and dig yourself a spa pool, the naturally occurring hot water seeps out from the ground and flows into the ocean. Low tide is the only time you can experience this incredible naturally flowing hot water so it’s important to time your visit accordingly.

I’ve listed 4 of my favourite Coromandel beaches here for you to choose from.