Beneath the Surface
Hidden coves, surf breaks and underground worlds
8 destinationsThe Coromandel and Waikato hide their best bits. Coves you have to walk in to, a beach where you dig your own hot pool, caves lit up by glow worms, and a spring so clear you can count the stones on the bottom. Out west the coast turns to black sand and the surf runs long at Raglan.
Cathedral Cove
Kiwi Kids BottleA giant natural archway connects two white-sand beaches in what is arguably the most photographed spot on the Coromandel. The walk down through pohutukawa trees is part of the experience, and arriving to find that cathedral of stone framing the turquoise water beyond makes every step worth it. Go early in the morning before the crowds arrive and you will feel like you have found something secret.
Hot Water Beach
Kiwi Kids BottleBring a spade, dig a hole in the sand, and watch geothermal water bubble up from beneath your feet. For a couple of hours either side of low tide, the beach becomes a collection of handmade hot pools right at the edge of the surf. It is ridiculous and wonderful in equal measure.
The Pinnacles
The rocky spires at the top of the Kauaeranga Valley are one of the Coromandel's most rewarding hikes, rising sharply above the surrounding kauri and rimu forest. The trail is steep and demands a full day, but the views from the summit out across the Firth of Thames and back into the rugged interior make the effort feel like a fair trade. The hut halfway up is a good excuse to make it an overnight trip.
Karangahake Gorge
Kiwi Kids BottleThe Ohinemuri River carves through ancient rock in a gorge that was once the centre of the Coromandel gold rush, and the tunnels and stamper batteries left behind add an industrial layer to what is already a stunning natural setting. The walking tracks lead through old mining tunnels where you genuinely need a torch, and the river views from the swing bridges are hard to beat. History and wilderness sharing the same trail.
Waitomo Caves
Kiwi Kids BottleThousands of glowworms light the cave ceiling from above as you drift silently through on a boat, and the effect is genuinely otherworldly. The limestone formations alone would make Waitomo worth visiting, but those blue-green lights reflecting on the black water take it somewhere else entirely. One of the few New Zealand experiences that lives up to every photograph you have ever seen of it.
Bridal Veil Falls
A thin ribbon of water drops 55 metres straight down into a pool at the bottom of a lush green gorge. The short walk through the bush to get there is lovely on its own and the falls are even better. It is easy to reach, free to visit, and one of those hidden spots that is genuinely worth knowing about.
Manu Bay
Raglan has one of the longest left-hand surf breaks in the world and Manu Bay is where the best of it is. Even if you do not surf, watching experienced riders work their way down a long clean wave is something special. The town is relaxed and full of good food and the whole vibe is very hard to leave.
Blue Springs Putaruru
Kiwi Kids BottleThe water here is so clear and so intensely blue that it looks like someone has turned up the saturation. Fed by an underground aquifer, the springs supply a significant portion of New Zealand's bottled water, and standing beside them it is easy to understand why. The short walk through native bush along the Waihou Walkway to reach them is as peaceful as the springs themselves.
Know a hidden gem in this region? Tell us at hello@beyondthemap.co.nz