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| Whangamata, Tairua, Pauanui
& the Surrounding District |
This region on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula includes the resort towns of Tairua, Pauanui,
Whangamata and the smaller centres of Opoutere, Onemana and Whiritoa. The visitor can choose from all types of accommodation and places to stay in Tairua, Pauanui and Whangamata. The spectacular
coastline, long white sandy beaches, hills, valleys and estuaries together with friendly small towns and communities make this an ideal holiday destination.
Click on the graphic at right to download the Tait’s
Fun Map of this region and discover great places
to stay, activities, art and craft, dining guide a business directory and more. |
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CLICK FOR FUN MAP |
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WHANGAMATA
Popular Whangamata is a beach resort that is filled with fun
things to do: swimming and surfing, shopping, cafes and restaurants, golf, fishing,
the great outdoors or just relaxing on the long white sandy beach. ‘Whanga’
as it is affectionately known is a holiday place for the whole family. Hills and
valleys, streams and small islands sprinkled offshore abound and there are beaches
for all tastes: calm harbour coves, long winding estuaries, white surf beaches
and more remote bays accessible only by bush tracks.
In the nearby hills you can go walking, tramping, camping, mountain biking or simply enjoy nature and the peace and quiet.
Celebrate Sun, Surf & Summer
There’s always something happening in Whangamata but in
late December and throughout January it’s at its best with fun for all the
family - celebrating sun, surf and summer during the popular ‘Whanga Week’
and ‘Summer Festival’. There are all types of events on the beach and
around town: Live bands in Williamson Park, Craft Market Day, Harbour Swim, Pub
to Club Run, Summer Festival Opera, Miss Whangamata Contest, Fun Walks, Snapper
Fishing Tournament etc.
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TAIRUA BY THE SEA
Tairua’s spectacular landmark, Paku was once an island at the harbour entrance but today it’s joined to the mainland by a narrow strip of land. The town has a comercial centre that looks after all the needs of the holidaymaker: shopping, library, hire services, holiday supplies, car repairs etc.
Things to do include: mini golf, horse trekking and pony riding, boating, tennis, fishing and the Tairua Country Club with the scenic 18 hole golf course, bowls and croquet, phone them at 07864 8416.
Cafes and restaurants include the Twin Tides – dine in style on the historic old ferry at Paku. Charter boats are available for fishing and diving. A regular ferry service runs between Tairua, Pauanui and Paku.
Fun on the Water
Tairua has water on three sides. The estuary and the harbour for calm water activities; small boats, sailing, kayaking, windsurfing etc. The ocean beach is great for body boarding, surfing, beach fishing, rest and relaxation.
Pleasant Walks Around Tairua
There are several walking paths around Tairua township. For spectacular views of the town and harbour try the short walk up to the Gazebo or the track from the carpark to the summit of Paku.
North of the town there’s the Twin Kauri Track and the interesting beach walk along Te Karo Bay to the old sailors grave dating from 1842.
To the south the Puketui Valley has interesting gold rush history, the DOC Broken
Hills campsite and a network of spectacular walking tracks but take care and be
prepared, it’s easy to get lost!
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ESCAPE TO PAUANUI
Pauanui is a modern holiday resort, nestled amongst the trees on the south side of the Tairua Harbour. It’s away from the main road and the hustle and bustle - the ultimate escape from stressful city living.
Facilities include a shopping village with speciality shops and cafes, a sports ground for athletics and cricket, a boat launching complex and an airstrip.
At Pauanui you are never far from the sea - on one side it has one of the best beaches on the peninsula (nearly 3 ks of white sand and surf) and on the other the picturesque and peaceful Tairua Harbour. A regular ferry service runs to Tairua and Paku.
There’s Plenty to Do
You can play golf, tennis, enjoy the shops and cafes, have
a 4x4 adventure, go boating, fishing or kayaking or even clay target shooting.
Walks from the south end of the beach include the Pauanui Summit Track (387m),
the coastal Flat Rock Track (try some rock fishing) or the fifteen minute Loop
Track. The panorama from the summit includes an awesome view up and down the coast.
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OPOUTERE
Just 13.5km north of Whangamata is the small settlement of Opoutere on the Wharekawa Harbour. The shallow harbour opens on to a long white surf beach. Swim, walk and enjoy the rare birdlife but take care it’s a DOC managed conservation area.
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ONEMANA
The friendly beach community of Onemana is 9km to the north
of Whangamata. Swim, surf, fish or just laze on the long white sandy beach. Onemana
has good accommodation, a top cafe/restaurant, beach store, picnic area with BBQ’s,
free tennis courts, a summer surf patrol and the Pinnacles Pottery.
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WHIRITOA
Whiritoa is a friendly beach community with a sandy surf beach, lagoon, streams, walks, tennis, beach fishing (there is no boat ramp), art and craft, beach shop, library and summer surf club. You can enjoy the walk to the picturesque Waimama Beach or south along the clifftops to the spectacular (when there’s a swell) blowhole.
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CARTER HOLT HARVEY FORESTS
CHH administer the 13,000 hectare pine forest in the region. Public access is welcomed although certain areas may be closed at times due to logging operations and you must comply with all forest entry signs and observe gate closing times.
Activities in the forest include mountain biking, camping, walks to Pokohino and
Te Ananui beaches, waterfalls, motorcycle track, lookouts, kauri groves and the
‘Luck at Last’ goldmine. Some of these activities require permits. |
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DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION (DOC)
Many of the natural highlights of the Coromandel are managed
by DOC. In this region you can enjoy camping, walking tracks of all types, kauri
trees, waterfalls and historic gold mining relics.
AMAZING ART CRAFT AND GARDENS
Artists, potters, woodworkers and all types of craftspeople
make the most of the relaxed Coromandel lifestyle. Visit them at work in their
studios or check out the art shops and galleries.
HOW TO FIND US
Refer to the maps page
for distances and times.
WHERE TO STAY
The visitor has a choice of all types of accommodation
including lodges, motels, campgrounds with cabins, campervan parks, backpackers,
old pubs, DOC campsites and tramping huts.
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