Visit the stunning sights of the Coromandel Peninsula
Visit and stay in the beautiful Coromandel Town

Coromandel Beaches

Duration
8 days
Site savings
$31
From
$3,014 USD

Cycle from Auckland to Rotorua over 8 magnificent days of road biking through the Coromandel Peninsula. The Coromandel Peninsula is a cycling gem lying east of Auckland, in one of New Zealand's most diverse and breathtaking locations. Luxuriant forest and mountain backdrops set the scene. See a giant kauri tree and ride a bush railway at the quaint town of Coromandel. Bike by superb beaches and stop for a dip at lunchtime.

  • Category
    Road Cycling
  • Type
    Fully Guided
  • Duration
    8 days
  • Culture Level
    Familiar
  • Skill Level
    2 - Novice
  • Activity Level
    2 - Moderate
  • Elevation
    2 - Moderate
  • Terrain
    Coastal
  • Distance
    147.3 miles
  • Avg. Daily Distance
    24.5 miles
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Quick Stats

  • Duration
    8 days
  • Main Destination
    North Island
  • Distance
    147.3 miles
  • Avg. Daily Distance
    24.5 miles
  • Elevation
    2 - Moderate
  • Terrain
    Coastal

Route Map (click to view larger image)

Itinerary Details

  1. Day 1Arrival

    The tour begins in Auckland, on the waterfront and very close to the CBD. You will meet at 11 am at The Sebel, a 4.5 Star Hotel. The first day of your trip is designed to allow visitors to settle in. Your tour leader will hold a trip orientation meeting prior to lunch. Come dressed to cycle. Time will be set aside to fit you to your rental bike or unpack your own and take a short ride in Cornwall Park which is located around one of Auckland's iconic extinct volcanoes. You will be driven back to the hotel via the beautiful waterfront with views across the Hauraki Gulf.

    • The Sebel Hotel, Auckland
    • Lunch and Dinner
  2. Day 2Auckland to Thames

    Today you will enjoy a transfer to Clevedon on the outskirts of Auckland. Riding options today are:

    Clevedon to Waharau (lunch) cas. 38 km / 24 mi

    Clevedon to Waitakaruru: int. 64 km / 40 mi

    Clevedon to Thames: adv. 90 km / 56 mi

    After breakfast, you will leave the city by minibus and head for the village of Clevedon on the edge of the Hunua Ranges. It is here that you will start cycling on quiet roads. On reaching the coast at Kawakawa Bay you will have your first sight of the Peninsula with the Coromandel Ranges rising steeply from the sea. Continuing south down the Firth of Thames the narrow road hugs the coast on its way to Miranda Bird Sanctuary. There are two climbs today with a final flat run from Miranda.

    • 23.6 miles
    • Coastal Motor Lodge, Thames
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  3. Day 3Thames to Coromandel

    Today's riding options are:

    Thames to Coromandel: int/adv 66 km / 41 mi

    Thames to Wilson’s Bay (start of hill): cas. 46 km / 29 mi

    You will head north past many Pohutukawa trees leaning over the road and beach. The butterfly and orchid centre at Tararu is well worth a visit. At Tapu, you will turn inland to visit the picturesque Rapaura Water Gardens and have lunch. Returning to the coast there are two hills to climb -with great views -before the final descent to Coromandel. The town once flourished as a gold mining town; now it is a centre for crafts-people and 'alternative lifers'. Some of the old houses have been beautifully restored. Dinner is not included tonight; there are good restaurants in Coromandel.

    • 28.6 miles
    • Coromandel Court Motel, Coromandel Town
    • Breakfast and Lunch
  4. Day 4Coromandel to Whitianga

    Riding options today are:

    Coromandel to Whitianga: int/adv. 46km / 29 mi

    Summit of Whangapoua to Whitanga: cas. 41 km/ 25 mi

    This morning you will take a ride on the unique Driving Creek Bush Railway and have the opportunity to view locally made pottery. Crossing the range to the east side of the peninsula, you will have magnificent coastal views and great riding down to the seaside village of Whitianga.

    • 25.5 miles
    • Admirality Lodge, Whitanga
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  5. Day 5Whitianga to Whangamata

    Riding options today are:

    Whitianga to Whangamata: int/adv. 74 km / 46 mi

    Whitianga to Tairua: cas. 38 km / 24 mi

    This morning you will take the ferry to Flaxmill Bay. Past Purangi Vineyards, you will head for Hahei where you can laze on the beach or walk to magnificent Cathedral Cove. After lunch, you will visit Hot Water Beach where the natural mineral water rises through the sand. Those who have the energy can tackle the Pumpkin Hill climb with its views of Shoe and Slipper Islands and enjoy a great descent to Tairua before continuing around Tairua harbor towards Whangamata.

    • 23.6 miles
    • Palm Pacific Resort, Whangamata
    • Breakfast and Lunch
  6. Day 6Whangamata to Matamata

    Riding options today are:

    Whangamata to Matamata. adv. 111 km./ 69 mi

    Te Aroha to Matamata: cas. 40 km / 25 mi

    Waihi to Matamata: int. 82 km / 51 mi

    Leaving the coast, you will head inland through Karangahake Gorge to the Waikato Valley and then south in the lee of the Kaimai Range. An attractive, gently undulating and varied route. An interesting diversion is to take the Historic Walkway (disused railway) through the gorge. You will be guests tonight of a local farming family.

    • 24.9 miles
    • Farm Stay, Matamata
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  7. Day 7Matamata to Rotorua

    Today's riding options are:

    Matamata to Rotorua: int/adv. 76 km / 48 mi

    Matamata to Hwy 5:  cas. 34 km / 21 mi

    A long gentle climb takes you to the bush-clad Mamaku Plateau and a great descent, with panoramic views, to the thermal district of Rotorua. In the afternoon, you will have time for some optional extras, such as the Agrodome (a sheep farming theme park) and a visit to the boiling mud pools and geysers for which Rotorua is renowned.

    • 21.1 miles
    • Novotel Rotorua Lakeside Hotel
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  8. Day 8Departure

    As soon as you enter Rotorua you will notice a faint scent of sulfur and escaping curls of steam. Rotorua has much to offer: Geysers and bubbling mud pools, a 4WD trip up Mt Tarawera, white water rafting, the luge rides, jet boat rides, the Buried Village, the Green and Blue Lakes (a 32km cycle ride), fishing, relaxing thermal spas and, of course, shopping.

    The tour finishes today after breakfast.

    • Breakfast