From your arranged pick up point we head South to the lower Coromandel region - the gold mining town of Waihi. Along the way we visit the home of iconic kiwi beverage L&P, and you have the opportunity to visit the dramatic Karangahake gorge where you can take a scenic - historic riverside walk amid the gold mining remnants. In Waihi we view the monstrous operating Martha mine and select from an array of excellent cafés, bars and bakeries for lunch. We journey around the Coromandel coast passing through popular seaside towns as our road trip heads to the Mercury Bay region to our mini-bach style accommodation beside the beach at Hahei. Evening options may include a barbecue dinner or perhaps catch the 5 minute ferry crossing from nearby Cooks beach to one of the fine establishments at Whitianga town.

We kick off with a hearty kiwi style brekky or perhaps a guided sunrise kayak to Cathedral Cove with Cathedral Cove Kayaks. Either way we are on the doorstep of two of the Coromandel’s most stunning destinations and we will spend a leisurely morning enjoying this region. Our visit to Hot water beach is planned around the tides so that we can enjoy the bubbling thermal outlets at their best. In the afternoon we drive into the heart of the Coromandel Ranges, with lots of scenic stops along the way as we head to the legendary Driving Creek railway just outside of Coromandel town. Driving Creek railway is the iconic legacy of local potter Barry Brickell who originally built the railway to collect clay from his hillside property. The boutique bush railway is now the biggest tourist attraction in Coromandel Town. From here we will start our return journey to Auckland via the stunning Pohutukawa Coastline between Coromandel and Thames. There may be time to visit a mining museum in the historic mining town of Thames along the way. We arrive back to Auckland in the early evening returning you to your preferred drop off point.