In our ‘Complete Guide’ series, we’re going to be visiting some of New Zealand’s most popular tourist destinations and getting the inside track from our GO Explore followers on the best places to stay, eat, drink, sunbathe and more. Instead of just finding out what the guidebooks tell you, find out what the locals and the travellers think when it comes to the best place to get an ice cream, the best fish and chips and the best cocktail you’ll ever taste! We’ll also recommend the best rental car for your road trip and make sure we get you there in style!

The latest in our series of Complete Guides takes us to the Coromandel Peninsula on the North Island, just a short two and a half hour drive from Auckland and home to some of the country’s most beautiful beaches as well as some of the best fish and chips in the world. Let’s get GOing!

Popular places to stay on the Coromandel Peninsula

The first thing to decide when you travel to the Coromandel Peninsula is where you want to stay. Not which hotel, but which of the stunning towns you want to base yourself for a few days or longer. The Coromandel is definitely not short of quaint seaside towns and each come with their own plus points. Here are the top three places to stay according to our GO Explore fans:

  • Whitianga

    Whitianga

    Possibly the most popular destination for travellers, Whitianga has that perfect mix of good quality accommodation options, nice places to eat out, some good bars and a whole host of activities to keep you entertained. It’s also within easy driv

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    Possibly the most popular destination for travellers, Whitianga has that perfect mix of good quality accommodation options, nice places to eat out, some good bars and a whole host of activities to keep you entertained. It’s also within easy driving distance of other popular destinations on the peninsula like Hot Water Beach, Cathedral Cove and Hahei.

  • Hahei

    Hahei

    Hahei beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in New Zealand and is becoming and increasingly popular place to stay. Situated just along the coast from Cathedral Cove and Hot water Beach, it just about pips Whitianga on location, however the ac

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    Hahei beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in New Zealand and is becoming and increasingly popular place to stay. Situated just along the coast from Cathedral Cove and Hot water Beach, it just about pips Whitianga on location, however the accommodation and dining options are not as varied as Whitianga. Still, there are plenty of lovely places to stay and if you are looking for an idyllic beach side location, then Hahei is for you.

  • Tairua/Pauanui

    Tairua/Pauanui

    For many people, Tairua is just a place you drive through on the way to Whitianga or Cathedral Cove, however if you take the time to stop over here, you will realise there is so much more to this stunning little seaside town. The reason we split t

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    For many people, Tairua is just a place you drive through on the way to Whitianga or Cathedral Cove, however if you take the time to stop over here, you will realise there is so much more to this stunning little seaside town. The reason we split this one into two destinations is that they are located across from each other with an estuary that divides the two towns. Both of these towns cater well for tourists although if we had to pick just one for a place to stay, we would go with Pauanui which is a purpose built holiday community with beautiful sandy beaches and a great place to base yourself if you love fishing, diving and snorkelling.

Worthy of an honourable mention is the Coromandel Township which is situated on the west coast of the peninsula. Coromandel Township offers up a different experience to the east coast destinations of Whitianga and Hahei but still has some good accommodation options as well as some nice places to eat out.

Best accommodation on the Coromandel Peninsula

Obviously there are a lot of places to choose from when you are picking your accommodation for the Coromandel Peninsula – it’s a pretty big area with lots of different towns where you can choose to stay. We’ve pulled together our top five accommodation options for different budgets and in different locations across the peninsula. These top tips come from our GO Explore fans.

Beachside Resort - Whitianga

Beachside Resort Whitianga offers contemporary motel accommodation and provides a great option for those who want to mix up self-catering with heading out into town for dinner. The self-catering apartments feature open-plan living areas, private balconies and a fully-equipped kitchenette as well as enjoying spectacular views out into Mercury Bay. This place is great for families and has its own heated pool and tennis courts. There’s also a kids’ play area and the town is just a short 5 minute walk away.

Blue Marlin Apartments - Whitianga

Another motel-style accommodation option are the Blue Marlin Apartments which are located on Buffalo Beach Road. The friendly host, Vivienne cannot do enough to help you and the rooms are airy and feature large bi-fold doors to bring the outside in. A short hop across the road and you’re on the beach and the kitchenette and dining facilities are great for those who want to keep costs down during your stay.

Puka Park - Pauanui

If you are looking for something a bit different then the Grand Mercure Puka Park Resort is a stunning place to stay. Located at Mt Pauanui, this secluded hideaway is nestled into the mountainside and offers stunning views out across the local landscapes. This place comes with all the features – swimming pool, tennis courts, spa and sauna, gym…you can even borrow their guest bikes and go out exploring. Definitely a favourite with everyone who stays down here.

Hahei Holiday Resort - Hahei

If you are looking for a great place to stay then Hahei Holiday Resort cater for every budget from deluxe villas through to family cabins and backpacker lodges to powered and non-powered camping and campervan sites. This place enjoys an incredible position right on the beachfront and is one of the most amazing places to go camping in New Zealand! The villas and cabins have great views looking out across the water and it’s easy to see why people come back year after year.

Coromandel Top 10 Holiday Park - Coromandel Township

Top 10 Holiday Parks are one of New Zealand’s most popular accommodation choices because they cater for all budgets. From their luxury four bedroom villa right down to their camping sites, Top 10 Holiday Parks have some great facilities and are a great place to meet other people, especially if you are travelling with the family. This Top 10 is situated just five minutes from Coromandel Township and has a range of facilities and activities for the whole family including go karts, a playground, heated outdoor pool and a lovely communal BBQ area.

Pebble Creek Barn - Thames

If you don’t fancy the drive all the way to the top of the Peninsula, the town of Thames is situated at the bottom end and is a great place to base yourself. GO Explorer Michelle recommends Pebble Creek Barn as a great place to stay, ‘it’s a lovely converted hay barn in a huge bush garden – you should definitely stay there!’ It’s also a great place to base yourself to tackle the Hauraki Rail Trail – an 82km bike ride from Thames to Waihi following the old railway track which takes you through the stunning Karangahake Gorge.

Best places to eat out on the Coromandel Peninsula

There are hidden gems all over the Coromandel which is why it’s a good job we have our Go Explorers to help you to pick out some of the best. Here are some of top restaurants, takeaways and cafes on the Coromandel Peninsula – let us know what you think.

Best Beaches on the Coromandel Peninsula

Probably one of the most difficult categories to narrow down due to the abundance of amazing beaches on the Coromandel Peninsula but once again, our GO Explorers have come to the rescue. Take a peek at the top five beaches on the peninsula:

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