body of water near trees and mountain cliff during daytime

Coromandel Peninsula

Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach draw most visitors to the Coromandel Peninsula, a forested arm of New Zealand's North Island reached by road from Auckland.

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The Coromandel Peninsula is a forested arm of the North Island, in the Waikato region, reached by road from Auckland. Most visitors come for two places on the east coast. Cathedral Cove is a sea-carved arch you reach on foot from the village of Hahei. Hot Water Beach has warm water that rises through the sand near low tide, and people dig pools to sit in. The west coast is quieter, with small harbour towns and beaches.

Hahei and Whitianga are the usual bases on the east coast. Hahei is the closest village to the Cathedral Cove track and has few shops, so buy food before you arrive. Whitianga is larger and has a passenger ferry across the harbour. Coromandel Town sits at the northern end of the west coast. Summer, from December to February, is the warmest season and the busiest, so book beds early if you travel then.

Coromandel Peninsula in five

Plan Cathedral Cove around the parking rulesThere is no parking at the Cathedral Cove track entrance on Grange Road, only drop-off and pick-up. Park free at Hahei Visitor Car Park and take the shuttle bus or walk about 30 minutes uphill.Cathedral Cove track (DOC)
Skip the track in heavy rainDOC warns of a high landslide risk, and says not to visit during or immediately after heavy rain. Keep a flexible day for the walk in wet weather.
Time Hot Water Beach with the tideHot Water Beach is a short drive from Hahei and works around low tide, when the hot springs are reachable on the sand. Check a tide table for the day before you go.
Choose Hahei or Whitianga to stayHahei is the closest to Cathedral Cove and has fewer services. Whitianga is larger, with more restaurants, a harbor and a wider choice of places to stay.
Allow time for the winding roadsThe peninsula roads are slow and narrow, especially on the west coast. Fill up with fuel in Thames, Whitianga or Coromandel Town and avoid driving them tired after a long flight.

Things to do in Coromandel Peninsula

See all attractions in Coromandel Peninsula

Sight · Coromandel PeninsulaCathedral Cove

Sight · Coromandel PeninsulaMercury Bay Museum

a body of water with hills in the background

Sight · Coromandel PeninsulaLegendary Black Water Rafting Company

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to Coromandel PeninsulaPut the places you like in Coromandel Peninsula on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: No commercial airport on the peninsula; most visitors use Auckland (AKL)
Getting there: About 2 to 3 hours by car from Auckland, depending on the route
Getting around: A car; shuttle buses run to Cathedral Cove in busy periods
Best base: Hahei for the beaches, Whitianga for services
Time needed: 2 to 3 days

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh22°Low17°Beach season, busy
FebruaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh22°Low17°Warm, settled
MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh21°Low16°Warm, quieter
AprilRain15 rainy daysHigh19°Low15°Mild
MayRain14 rainy daysHigh17°Low13°Cooler
JuneRain14 rainy daysHigh15°Low12°Cool
JulyRain16 rainy daysHigh14°Low10°Coolest
AugustRain16 rainy daysHigh14°Low10°Cool, wet
SeptemberRain16 rainy daysHigh15°Low11°Changeable
OctoberRain16 rainy daysHigh16°Low12°Spring
NovemberRain15 rainy daysHigh19°Low14°Warming up
DecemberRain13 rainy daysHigh21°Low16°Holiday rush

Average daily high and low in Whitianga, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Coromandel Peninsula

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 10°
Humidity: 99%
Wind: 3 km/h
Chance of rain: 84%

Coromandel Peninsula

09:38 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+13

Today18°11°84%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 18°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 84%.
Wed19°12°81%Wednesday: Rain. High 19°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 81%.
Thu23°14°55%Thursday: Drizzle. High 23°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 55%.
Fri21°14°87%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 21°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 87%.
Sat22°13°90%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 22°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 90%.
Sun22°12°16%Sunday: Drizzle. High 22°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 16%.
Mon18°12°69%Monday: Rain. High 18°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 69%.

Updated 05:42 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.778 NZD

Amount

Converted to

NZD · New Zealand Dollar

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Coromandel Peninsula

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Every year

MarPasifika FestivalAuckland, a day trip

Day trips by train

Cathedral Coveabout 40 minutes by car from WhitiangaA sealed coastal track of 5 km return to the rock archway.Read the guide
Thamesabout 1 hour 15 minutes by car from HaheiThe gateway town on the western side of the peninsula.
Waikato and Waitomoabout 2 hours by carGlowworm caves and Hobbiton, reached by driving south.Read the guide

Before you go to Coromandel Peninsula

Stays in Hahei and WhitiangaBeach cottages and motelsCheck availability

Cathedral Cove boat toursReach the cove from the waterCompare tours

eSIM for New ZealandData for tide and shuttle checksRead the guide

Travel insuranceWet weather and landslide closuresRead the guide

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Rules for Coromandel Peninsula, checked

The Cathedral Cove track entrance has no parking; use free Hahei Visitor Car Park, then walk about 30 min or take the shuttle. The track is 5 km return.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
Do not visit Mautohe Cathedral Cove during or immediately after heavy rain, because the landslide risk is high. Dogs are not allowed on the track.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source

Plan around Coromandel Peninsula

All of New Zealand

Both islands, entry rules and the best months

Read the guide Waikato and the Coromandel

The inland loop with Hobbiton and Waitomo

Read the guide Hauraki Gulf Islands

Island day trips from Auckland

Read the guide Auckland

The usual gateway to the peninsula

Read the guide Rotorua and Bay of Plenty

Continue east along the coast

Read the guide Best time to visit New Zealand

Seasons, crowds and the shoulder months

Read the guide

Coromandel Peninsula FAQ

How do you get to Cathedral Cove?

Walk the track from the top of Grange Road in Hahei, 5 km return. There is no parking there, so use Hahei Visitor Car Park and walk or take the shuttle bus. You can also reach the cove by boat or kayak.

Is Cathedral Cove open?

The track is a DOC-managed walk with a history of landslides and rockfall. Check the DOC Cathedral Cove page for the current status before you go, and avoid it during or just after heavy rain.

How many days do you need on the Coromandel Peninsula?

Two to three days is enough for Cathedral Cove, Hot Water Beach and a loop of the peninsula. Add a night in Coromandel Town if you want the quieter west side.

Can you do the Coromandel as a day trip from Auckland?

It is possible but rushed, because the drive is long each way. An overnight stay in Hahei or Whitianga makes the beaches and tide times much easier.

Can I take a dog to Cathedral Cove?

No. DOC lists no dog access on the Cathedral Cove track, and the same rule applies to most conservation land.