The Coromandel is one of the best places to visit every summer, there is a reason Kiwi’s flock there by the thousands every year. The beaches, bars, and slow paced lifestyle and days allow any busy city slickers to really wind down after a busy year and crazy Christmas. If you’re looking for things to do in Coromandel then this itinerary will help you get started on planning your weekend getaway, whether it’s with friends, family or your significant other.

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Coromandel Accommodation

Hush Boutique Accommodation

It would be criminal of me to not add this into my Coromandel itinerary. Hush Boutique Accommodation is definitely at the top of my list when it comes to staying overnight in Coromandel. And it’s exactly the type of place worth staying if you have come to the Coromandel for a weekend getaway. Hush Boutique has small stand alone cabins dotted around the property, the neighbours are a couple of gorgeous Kune-kune pigs and the property is covered with native trees and bush. It’s a truly magical place to stay. Read more about Hush Boutique here

Where is Hush Boutique Accommodation?

Hush is conveniently located a short drive from Coromandel township, it’s even walking distance if you find that you’ve had a few too many drinks and you don’t mind a bit of a stroll home. Sitting almost directly opposite Driving Creek railway tours, Hush Boutique is tucked away under the natural canopy of the Coromandel forest at 425 Driving Creek Road. The carpark has enough parking spaces for all visitors with the reception right next to it.

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Day 1 | Waiau Falls via Stewart and the Pigs

What You’ll Need

• Lunch / Water
• Swimwear / sun protection (hats, sunblock etc)

Prepare for your first day by packing a lunch and grabbing your towels and swimwear. Today you are swimming at a waterfall and petting some piglets!

Head south down state highway 25 and turn left onto 309 Road. About 3.5km down the road you’ll come across a clearing and likely see a whole bunch of pigs and piglets trotting around the place. This is Stewarts farm, he doesn’t take long to pop his head out if he hears a vehicle stop. The pigs are well cared for and Stewart is an extremely friendly man. He usually allows visitors to hold his piglets so take this opportunity to add some pictures to your holiday photo album.

Waiau Falls is another 3-4km down 309 Road. There is a small sign beside the small carpark for Waiau Falls, and the walk to the falls is quite short, there are just quite a few rocks to walk over to get there. The water is very cold and the pool isn’t as big as other waterfalls in Auckland, but it’s still a great place for a quick dip if you find there are quite a few people around!

If you love waterfalls and are going to be in Auckland for the summer, then check out my list of the best Waterfalls in Auckland.

Day 2 | Coromandel Beach

What You’ll Need

• Lunch / Water
• Swimwear / sun protection (hats, sunblock etc)
• Walking shoes

Today is a beach day! Pack yourselves another lunch and some snacks because you have a bit of driving ahead of you. Your first stop will be New Chums Beach, which is around a 30 minute drive from Coromandel township. New Chums beach is only accessible via foot so you’ll need a good pair of walking shoes and a bottle of water to take with you, getting from the carpark to New Chums can take around 10-15 minutes.

New Chums Beach

New Chums is extremely popular with people wanting to flood their Instagram with amazing views and clear blue water and white sand beaches. New Chums has an extremely steep yet not an official lookout over the beach, climbing up to the top of the cliff and sitting between a few rocks you can get an amazing picture with the view ahead of you as long as you have someone who wants to make the climb with you. Otherwise if you’re not keen on the walk or the view point Whangapoua beach right next door and a short walk from the carpark is the next desirable place for an early morning picnic and swim!

Opito Bay

Next stop is Opito Bay, another great beach for swimming and less populated by tourists because of how far out it is. There are some beautiful Pohutukawa trees that provide shade along the back of the beach, and the carpark sits almost directly at the top of the stairs. So there are no long walks to enjoy this beach.

Day 3 | Driving Creek Tours

What You’ll Need

• Your wallet

If you have been staying at Hush Boutique Accommodation you may have noticed a place across the road called Driving Creek. This place has been a staple of the Coromandel Community for decades, so adding it to your Coromandel itinerary is a must. Driving Creek provided entertainment and activities for adults and children and everyone in-between. What first started as a miniature train tour that took passengers around the native forest; ziplines, a cafe and pottery classes have since been added.

Driving Creek is a great place to go if the weather isn’t the greatest for a beach trip, or if you’re wanting to take part in something a bit more stimulating. We booked a pottery class and went in there thinking we would come out covered in clay and a very sad looking ash tray in our hands. But instead we left with a new found love for pottery and 4 amazing little cups and mugs that we made ourselves.

I highly recommend Driving Creek if you don’t want to venture far or want to find a new passion for nature or the arts.

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This Coromandel itinerary isn’t complete with everything you could do in Coromandel in one weekend. There are hundreds of beaches, bush walks and activities to be discovered in the region. But if you’re visiting for the first time, or even the 5th time, the places above are a good place to start.