New Zealand

The Pacific coast region includes both the most travelled and least visited parts of New Zealand incorporating the Coromandel, the Bay of Plenty, Eastland and Hawke’s Bay. Known for its beaches, strong Maori heritage and wineries, for sheer variety, it is hard to match.

The verdant Coromandel is famed for its scarlet-blooming pohutukawa trees, which line a coast of glorious white sand beaches and secret coves, backed by luxuriant forested hills.
Visitors are enticed by its beautiful coastal scenery and wonderful beaches, its rich tradition of gold mining and the natural attractions of Hot Water Beach, Cathedral Cove and arguably one of the most beautiful coastal paths in the country, the Coromandel Walkway.

The Bay of Plenty with its golden beaches and kiwi and citrus orchards extends over 200km, in a great arc from the Coromandel to the East Cape. Struck by the affluence and generosity of the Maori, Captain Cook named it when he landed here in 1769. Along the coast is the lively port of Tauranga, the surfing holiday town of Mt. Maunganui and Whakatane, the base for trips to the nature reserve of Whale Island and volcanic White Island, where hissing steam and sulphurous gas clouds escape from a desolate crater.

Remote and sparsely inhabited Eastland is one of the North Island’s most scenic areas dotted with mostly Maori communities and was the setting for both the film and book Whale Rider. The long and picturesque coastal road leads to Gisborne, the country’s most easterly city. Further south, Hawkes Bay is the second largest wine-producing region in the country and visitors can enjoy fine local Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Merlot. New Zealand’s most unusual city, Napier was rebuilt in Art Deco style following a devastating earthquake in 1931.

The Coromandel

Separated from Auckland by the broad Firth of Thames, The Coromandel comprises a forested backbone of mountains separating the precipitous west coast from the coves and white sand beaches of the east. One of the highlights of the Pacific Coast Highway, this is a very scenic area that deserves exploration.

Fringing both shores of the sparsely inhabited peninsula are endless pohutakawa trees whose rich red blooms are a stunning feature of the landscape between October and December. The area is steeped in gold-mining history, vividly brought to life in the Thames Gold Mine and Stamper Battery. The sleepy town of Coromandel, also a former gold mining centre, offers a scenic narrow-gauge rail trip up into the hills and is the jumping off point for one of New Zealand’s renowned coastal paths, the 57km Coromandel Walkway.

Over on the eastern side, beautiful Mercury Bay and the town of Whitianga are a great base to explore the region and offer diverse experiences such as bone carving, snorkelling in Cathedral Cove and a natural ‘sauna’ on Hot Water Beach, where hot springs emerge below the sand. South of here are the twin resorts of Tairua and Pauanui.

Bay of Plenty

The Bay of Plenty is New Zealand's premier beach and surf destination and offers 'plenty' of choice. Set at the entrance to a natural harbour, surrounded by Pacific Ocean and 100 km of white sand with the magnificent Mauao (Mt Manganui) guarding the entrance, the 'Bay' is a haven for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.

Located only two and a half hours drive from Auckland along the east coast of the North Island, is the city of Tauranga in the northern area of the Bay of Plenty. Tauranga offers its' own unique twist to the big city lifestyle but at a more relaxed pace.

Mount Manganui is the focal point of heritage and culture in the region and together with the popular beaches that surround it, provides pleasant walking opportunities, both around its base and to its summit.

Yet it is not only the coastline that provides Bay of Plenty with its beauty, the hinterland is equally stunning. Wilderness lakes, mountain ranges, dense forests, rivers and rolling farmland are all present, as well as Te Urewera National Park, the third largest national park in the country.

Whakatane, at the eastern end of the Bay of Plenty, is the jumping off point for trips to offshore Whale Island, a nature reserve with petrels, little blue penguins and sooty shearwaters, as well as some unusual reptiles and fur seals. Further out to sea is White Island, a volcanic island where hissing steam and sulphurous gas clouds escape from its desolate crater floor. Swimming with dolphins, mountain biking, kayaking and rock climbing are other activities on offer in the region.

Eastland

Though one of the lesser travelled regions of New Zealand, Eastland offers some of the most stunning coastal scenery in the country and is also an area rich in Maori culture and history. Renowned for its miles of untouched coastline, the area is perfect for camping, surfing, swimming, fishing and diving. Opotiki is the northern gateway to the region where State Highway 35 begins winding a scenic path around the East Cape and south to Gisborne.

Holding the accolade of being the most easterly city in the world, and thus the first to greet the sun each day, Gisborne is the main centre in this sparsely populated region. A very pleasant city with a friendly feel, it is steeped in history being the place where the first Polynesian voyages landed, where Captain Cook made his first landing and where the first meeting took place between the two cultures.
Picturesque bays and coves offer many a stunning view to break up the journey including the small town of Tolaga Bay, where the longest wharf in the southern hemisphere (660 m) proudly juts out into the bay.

Yet it is not only the coastline that provides Eastland with its beauty, the hinterland is equally stunning. Wilderness lakes, mountain ranges, dense forests, rivers and rolling farmland are all present, as well as Te Urewera National Park, the third largest national park in the country.

Hawkes Bay

Undoubtedly, New Zealand’s most unusual city, arrival in Napier marks the end of the Pacific Coast Highway - at least for those travelling in a southerly direction! Completely rebuilt following a devastating earthquake in 1931, it features one of the densest concentrations of art deco buildings in the world. It is a fascinating city, benefiting from a good coastal location and a Mediterranean-like climate. This is no doubt key to the status of the surrounding area of Hawke’s Bay being one of New Zealand’s top wine producers.

The Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot wines are particularly fine and can be enjoyed at the numerous cafés lining the streets. Marine Parade, a seaside development with parks, sunken gardens as well as more traditional seaside amusements is also within the town, as are the Kiwi House, Marineland and Hawkes Bay Aquarium.

The surrounds of Napier offer much to explore, especially for those with a taste for wine and a visit to some of the quality vineyards that characterise the region is a must. Those looking for nature should head to Cape Kidnappers - the world’s largest onshore gannetry, which comes to life between late October and late April or visit the impressive Te Mata Peak, steeped in Maori legend.