Gem and Bones on tour: Coromandel town & Whitianga (Sunday tiki tour)
Last Sunday, Gem and I travelled up the west coast of the Coromandel Peninsula to the stunning little settlement of Coromandel town..
The drive from Thames to Coromandel took about an hour, but was very picturesque. The road up was a bit dodgy (skinny) with loads of vehicles towing large caravans or Boats along the way. I was happy Roxanne (The Caravan) was resting back in Thames for this trip.
Coromandel town is charming, boasting some great historic architecture and offering a small-town atmosphere with plenty to see. There are several Galleries, Cafes, Boutique retail shops, places to stay, cool-looking Bars and Restaurants.
Gem and I walked through the town and checked it out. I was super impressed with the feel of the place.
Coromandel town (The facts)
Nestled on the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand's North Island, Coromandel Town is a haven for those seeking both tranquillity and adventure amidst stunning natural beauty. With its rich history dating back to the gold rush era and a landscape that captivates every visitor, Coromandel Town offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and outdoor exhilaration.
Population: Less than 2000 people (Stats 2023 census)
Median Age: 59 (NZ Average 39) (Stats 2023 census)
Things to do in Coromandel town
Experience the thrill of zip-lining through dense rainforests, kayaking along the serene coastline, or fishing in the bountiful waters.
Gem and I enjoyed a quick bite together at one of the local Cafes and then hit the road to go checkout Whitianga.
Gems Beach
Halfway between Coromandel Town and Whitianga, we found the most glorious beach.
Dog-friendly and the sort of place I think everyone would love in the summer. Even though it was a little chilly, it made us both incredibly happy to have discovered it.
We hung out here for half an hour, and Gem made sure she rolled in the sand and took a dip in the small stream before getting back in Rosanna (The car)
After our break at the beach, we travelled on to Whitianga.
Whitianga is surprisingly spread out across quite an area. All I can say it is imposing, reminds me a little of the Mt Maunganui landscape except it is 5x the size.
Found a great little dog-friendly cafe and Gem and I shared a bite to eat.
You need a good week just here to really explore this tourist-friendly spread out town.
Whitianga (the facts)
Whitianga’s coastlines boast unmatched scenic beauty, from white-sand beaches to dramatic cliffs. Recreational activities like snorkelling, kayaking, and hiking make it a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.
Population: More than 6000 people (Stats 2023 census)
Median Age: 54 (NZ Average 39) (Stats 2023 census)
Things to do
Festivals: The annual Whitianga Scallop Festival celebrates local culinary delights.
Adventures: Dolphin tours, glass-bottom boat rides, and fishing trips are highly popular.
Many Cafes, Restaurants and places to explore. It is a much larger town than Coromandel, so it has many of the well-known brands you see throughout New Zealand.
It was a wonderful day out exploring places that require a lot more attention than the quick visit Gem and I made this trip. This Sunday, the Tiki tour gave me an appreciation for the beauty of the Coromandel Peninsula and a small understanding of why it is so popular with tourists and visitors from around Aotearoa.
Back to Thames.
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Tony Cutting
for Gem and Bones on Tour.
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Lisa was born in Auckland at the start of the 1970s, living in a small campsite community on the North Shore called Browns Bay. She spent a significant part of her life with her grandparents, often hanging out at the beaches. Lisa has many happy memories from those days at Browns Bay beach, where fish were plentiful on the point and the ocean was rich in seaweed. She played in the water for hours, going home totally “sun-kissed.” “An adorable time to grow up,” Lisa tells me.
Lisa enjoyed many sports; she was a keen tennis player and netballer, playing in the top teams for her age right up until the family moved to Wellington. Lisa was fifteen years old, which unfortunately marked the end of her sporting career. Local teams were well established in Wellington, and her attention was drawn elsewhere.