Destination Country: New Zealand
Regions/Cities include: Auckland Thames Pahi Station Walk Coromandel Town Whitianga Auckland	Activities include: Women only small group tour

THE COROMANDEL

Designed for women who enjoy exploring, walking in the outdoors, arts & crafts.  Includes Pahi Station Walk.

 

25 Feb                AUCKLAND - THAMES                                                                  

Our adventure starts from Auckland airport with a pick up at 10.30am.  We journey south across the Bombay Hills and on to Miranda for a spot of bird-watching.  The Firth of Thames offers migratory wading birds a massive 8,500 hectares of wide inter-tidal flats and attracts thousands of birds each year.  Some fly all the way from the Arctic circle whilst others fly up from the braided rivers of the South Island.  There are some easy walking tracks and an interesting Information Centre where we can eat a picnic lunch whilst learning about this amazing natural occurrence.

Our first night will be spent in the southwestern end of the Coromandel Peninsula in the town of Thames.   Surrounded by impressive bush-clad ranges and the Firth of Thames.  Enjoy a walking tour to learn about the local heritage rich in gold and kauri. After dinner we will take a stroll along the foreshore and hopefully witness one of Thames’ legendary sunsets (weather permitting of course!)

Accommodation: Tuscany on Thames

 

26 Feb               THAMES – COLVILLE – PAHI STATION                                       

This morning we had away by 7.45am and drive up to Coromandel Town to pick up a picnic lunch before continuing to Port Jackson.  At Pahi Station, enjoy a delicious morning tea whilst our host sets the scene for what to expect over the next 3 days. 

We then set off on our first day’s walk around the western coast of the station, through farmland and native bush with fabulous views across to Auckland, Waiheke and the Hibiscus Coast.  At the highest point of 550m, we’ll be able to see the tip of the Coromandel Peninsula (weather permitting of course!).  We then descend to finish the walk, meandering along the river to our first night’s accommodation.

Morning tea, afternoon tea, dinner and dessert are provided today.   Luggage is transferred for us each day.

Total walk – 9km (approx. 4-5 hours)

Accommodation: Pahi Retreat

A beautifully restored rustic cottage tucked away on the farm overlooking the Pahi Stream and swimming hole.  This recently renovated cottage has a wonderful sense of history and authentic farmhouse feel to it. All that will disturb you here is the native birdsong. Five-bedrooms, two-bathrooms, separate kitchen and lounge features a firepit and is the perfect accommodation to relax and review your first day.

 

27 Feb              PAHI STATION COASTAL WALK

After a hearty breakfast, we head up the main farm track on a pleasant gradual incline to reach the highest point at 600m above sea level.  We’ll take several breaks enroute to soak up the views!  We then cross over onto the east coast where we head downhill to the Shepherd’s Hut, a corrugated iron hut used by the shepherds right up until the 1970’s.  Continue walking down to the white sands of Maloney’s Beach nestled under the Pinnacles – we can stop here for lunch and a swim. 

Continue on to Fletchers Bay, across farmland with constant sea views to Port Jackson headland where our days ends.

Mouth-watering homebaking is provided today, and we’ll pack our own picnic lunch from supplies provided.  Dinner will be prepared and waiting for us on arrival at tonight’s abode.

Total walk – 16 km (approx. 5-7 hours - if you run out of puff you can be picked up by farm vehicle)

Accommodation: Shearer’s Quarters

This authentic farmhouse has uninterrupted sea views and features 4-bedrooms and 2-bathrooms.  Wrap-around decks with expansive views - the perfect place to sit with a drink and soak up the soothing surrounds.

 

28 Feb               COROMANDEL TOWN                                                                   

This morning you have options …..

1. Sleep in and enjoy relaxing at the house, beach, or river

2. Do a 4 or 7km walk

3. 26km e-bike ride along the coastal road back to Colville ($95 additional charge). 

 

If you select option 1 or 2, you will be picked up at midday.  From Colville, we drive down to Coromandel Town and check in around 2pm.  The rest of the afternoon at leisure.  You might like a siesta, lie by the pool, or go shopping in Coromandel Town.

Accommodation:  Coromandel Cottages (2 nights)

 

01 Mar              COROMANDEL TOWN

This morning is a visit to Driving Creek and a ride on New Zealand’s steepest railway and the only narrow-gauge mountain railway in the country.  Be entertained with stories as we wind our way up 2.7km of native forest and past unique pottery and sculptures to EyeFull Tower.  Later you have the opportunity to join a pottery making class or go zip-lining (additional cost and subject to availability – early booking essential). 

This afternoon we drive on the infamous 309 Road to The Waterworks where we’ll have lunch followed by a roam around the extensive grounds and lots of laughs over the quirky water powered gadgets. 

We’ll stop for refreshments at the popular Mussell Kitchen and MK Brewing Co on the way home later this afternoon.

 

02 Mar               NEW CHUMS BEACH – WHITIANGA                                                                   

Departing Coromandel town this morning, we drive to Whangapoua and begin our walk along a rocky shoreline and over the headland to the famed Wainuiototo aka New Chums Beach (approx. 2.5km each way).  Voted amongst the best deserted beaches in the world and only accessible by foot or boat – some describe it as “feeling like you’re inside a postcard”.  A golden sand beach fringed by pohutukawa and native forest awaits us, and we’ll have time to relax and enjoy a picnic lunch and a swim. 

In the afternoon, we’ll drive on dropping in to have a look at some of the popular beach towns along the way, including Matarangi and Otama.   Arrive in Whitianga late afternoon, check in and relax. 

Accommodation: Crows Nest Apartments (3 nights)

 

Fri/Sat                        WHITIANGA & SURROUNDS                                                        

Over the next couple of days, we will explore the area walking along stunning white sandy beaches and through native bush, boating to remote bays, snorkelling, swimming, shopping, eating, wine tasting and relaxing. 

On one of our evenings, we can visit The Lost Springs for a soak in the geo-thermal pools (optional and additional cost).  Wine tasting & lunch included at Mercury Bay Winery on one of these days.

We’ll also visit Hot Water Beach and partake in a unique Kiwi experience – digging ourselves a little hole in the sand to find hot spring water to relax in.   A short drive further north brings us to the popular seaside village of Hahei where we put on our walking shoes and take a one hour walk to iconic Cathedral Cove.   Just like the postcards depict, you will find golden sand, soft waves, creamy cliffs, and that well photographed rock rising out of the sea.  A scenic ride by water taxi brings us back to Hahei.

 

05 Mar               PAUANUI - AUCKLAND

Check out this morning and begin our journey back to Auckland.  Along the way we will stop in to Pauanui for lunch and a look around this fast-growing beach town. 

Arrive Auckland Airport by 3pm.                                      

 

 

Price

$2850 per person Twin share *

$700 Single supplement **

* if you would like us to find you a room-mate let us know – subject to availability

** please note there is no single option on the Station Walk – you will be sharing with one other female.

 In Whitianga, you will  have your own ensuite bathroom within an apartment shared with 2 or 3 others.

Includes

• 8 nights accommodation

• Daily breakfast, 4 lunches, 2 dinners

• Wine Tasting

• Tour navigator / walking guide

• Transportation in modern air-conditioned mini-coach

• Sightseeing/Entry Fees as specified

• Luggage transfers on the Pahi Station walk

Excludes

• Flights

• Travel Insurance

• Meals and refreshments (unless specified in inclusions)

• Items of a personal nature and optional activities, eg. zip-lining

• Sleeping bag, or sheets & pillow case (blankets provided) for the Station walk

Group Size

Minimum 7 / maximum 11

 

How fit do I need to be

A reasonable level of fitness is required to get the most out of this adventure.  There is lots of variety and wonderful scenery and the pace will be leisurely with ample time for a breather and photos.  The tour is aimed at leisure walkers who enjoy the outdoors, discovering, meeting new people and socialising.