Experience the beautiful Coromandel Coastal Walkway, an old bridle path once used by early Maori and European Settlers to link east with west at the tip of the remote Northern Coromandel Peninsula.
Check In 8.20 a.m. Meet at Hike & Bike Coromandel, 105 Wharf Road, Coromandel Town, where complimentary, off-street parking is available. Local Accommodation pickups are available by prior arrangement.
Depart 8.30 a.m. We strike out through the historic town of Coromandel with its heritage buildings and gold mining stories from days gone by. We’ll point out the iconic Kauri Tree, once decimated by early Settlers for timber, to now being re-established by teams of enthusiastic locals. A little further north we pass through sleepy, coastal villages with views across the island studded Hauraki Gulf. Admire the large scale Hereford Beef Studs and the contrasting Tibetan Retreat, Mahamudra with its Stupa, glinting proudly in the morning sun.
Approx 9.05 a.m: We pause in the laidback town of Colville with its art galleries, a co-operative style general store and Hereford N a Pickle Café, famous for its home grown meats, pickles and burgers. As the road travels inland we catch glimpses of Mount Moehau with its regenerating forests, home to New Zealand’s Brown Kiwi. We recall the efforts of local volunteers to rid the area of pests to ensure the repopulation and future of this shy bird. There is the chance of a tea break at Tangiaro Kiwi Retreat, located at the base of a bushclad valley just on the outskirts of Port Charles (seasonal hours apply/own cost).
Approx 10.30 a.m. The Walkway starts with a gradual climb from Stony Bay, as it threads its way through regenerating native bush complete with birdsong, mountain streams and rockpools. Photo opportunities abound along the way with panoramic sea vistas from Sugarloaf, over the Colville Channel to Great Barrier Island and beyond.
Enjoy lunch at the Lookout with its impressive panoramic views or rest on the heritage seat further on and soak up the blissful peace. The Walkway concludes with a leisurely downhill section through an impressive beef and sheep farm on the way to Fletcher Bay. Keen walkers are most welcome to tackle the 3km Muriwai Walk, a stunning hike along the cliff tops and out along the spreading sands of Port Jackson beach. Here we take a short break for afternoon tea with enough time to enjoy a refreshing swim.
Approx 4.30 p.m. Rejoin the minibus as it continues along the pohutukawa lined coast beside the Hauraki Gulf, playground for fishermen, adventure seekers and holidaymakers. Keep an eye out for dolphins and orca which sometimes frolic just metres from the thin ribbon of road. We pass back through Colville around 5pm before concluding your day in Coromandel Town at approximately 6pm.