Beneath the Surface
Hidden coves and underground worlds
6 destinationsThe Coromandel Peninsula and Waikato region pack an extraordinary range of experiences into a relatively small stretch of the North Island. Cathedral coves carved by the sea sit within a few hours of glowworm caves lit by thousands of tiny lights underground. This is a part of New Zealand that rewards the curious traveller who is willing to turn off the main road and see what is waiting just around the corner.
Cathedral Cove
A 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
Bring 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.
Karangahake Gorge
The 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
Thousands 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.
Blue Springs Putaruru
The 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.
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.
Know a hidden gem in this region? Tell us at hello@beyondthemap.co.nz