A Week in Coromandel: 7 Day Itinerary by Ferry and Hire Car

From Coromandel Town to Hahei and Hot Water Beach, Without Driving Out of Auckland

A week gives you time to do Coromandel properly. Start with a ferry across the Hauraki Gulf, settle into Coromandel Town, then pick up a Mad Campers hire car and explore the peninsula, from the heritage streets of town to the beaches of the east coast.

The Explore Group ferry runs from Auckland’s Viaduct to Hannaford’s Wharf from Labour Weekend until Easter, Friday to Monday until the end of November, then daily. [Add confirmed times.] Add our free shuttle to your ferry ticket to get between the wharf and town, and hire a car from $90 per day. Here is how we would spend seven days.

1. Day One: Ferry to Coromandel Town

Catch the ferry from the Viaduct, take the free shuttle into town, check in and collect your hire car. Head to the Star & Garter on Kapanga Road for dinner and a drink.

2. Day Two: Explore Coromandel Town

Start at the Coromandel Information Centre on Kapanga Road, then wander the heritage streets, including James & Turner, trading since 1889. Ride the Driving Creek Railway to the Eyeful Tower lookout, walk the Kauri Block Walk (starting next to 356 Wharf Road) and finish with mussels for dinner.

3. Day Three: On the Water, Then North

Join a Mussel Safaris trip on the harbour in the morning. In the afternoon, drive north to Papa Aroha Scenic Reserve for a coastal bush walk and a swim.

4. Day Four: Across the Peninsula to Whitianga

Drive across the peninsula to Whitianga, the hub of the Mercury Bay area. Stroll the waterfront, have lunch, and stay the night here to set up the next two days.

5. Day Five: Hahei and Cathedral Cove

Head to Hahei, one of the Coromandel’s best-loved beaches. Walk to Cathedral Cove or see it from the water, then spend the afternoon on the sand.

6. Day Six: Hot Water Beach

Plan this one around the tide. Around low tide, hot water rises through the sand and visitors dig their own pools. Bring a spade and aim to be there roughly two hours either side of low tide. Check tide times at the Information Centre or online before you go.

7. Day Seven: Back to Town and Home

Drive back to Coromandel Town, allowing plenty of time on the winding roads. Return your car to our depot at James & Turner, take the shuttle to Hannaford’s Wharf and catch the ferry home.

Tips for a Week in Coromandel

Book accommodation early in summer, especially in Whitianga and Hahei. Keep a day flexible for weather, fuel up in bigger towns before long drives, and keep valuables out of sight in the car. Scooters are for Coromandel Town only, so a car is the way to go for this itinerary.

The Bottom Line

A week in Coromandel is the best way to see both sides of the peninsula, and the ferry means you start your holiday on the water instead of in traffic.

Ready to plan it? Book your hire car with Mad Campers, and add the free shuttle when you book your ferry.