School Holidays - July 21

By Helinor Stead

It’s a wild thought to conceive of but nonetheless here we are! July School Holidays are here and the Coromandel has just the medicine for active young minds. 

Exploring the coastline with the crew from Cathedral Cove Kayaks is easily one of the best things you could do in the entire country. With a range of tours available for the time-being big kids go for little kids’ prices meaning the children’s rate now applies to all U18s. Every trip gives you the chance to enjoy the spectacular volcanic coastline from a unique perspective. Once you hit the beach your guide becomes barista, with coffee, hot chocolates and cookies included on all trips!

Driving Creek in Coromandel town is well worth a day trip. Learn about iconic founder Barry Brickell as you tour through a native forest of regenerating kauri, rimu and ferns aboard the mini train. Alternatively, whip through trees and across gullies and streams, as you traverse 8 ziplines with Coromandel Zipline Tours or indulge in a pottery class. Whether it’s adventure, history or learning a new skill Driving Creek caters to all ages and in all weather! 

Did you even have a holiday on the Coromandel if you didn’t visit Hot Water Beach?! 

Pro digger Nico gives us the ‘hot’ tip (had to be done). ‘Go about an hour and a half before low tide. Find where the heat source is, go down hill a bit… and you should find the magic spot! It’s a bit of a tricky one as it’s constantly changing…’ but click here for Tide Times. Two hours either side of low tide is the key. 

For a low cost day out enjoy the beaches at Flaxmill Bay, walk up Shakespeare’s Cliff, nip down to Ferry Landing and hop on the Whitianga Ferry. Adults: Single trip $5 Adults: Return $7 Children (under 15): Single trip $3 Children (under 15): Return $5 Bicycles: $1.50 each way Dogs: Free. Running approximately every ten minutes or so it’s a dreamy way to get around. 

There are markets on all over the Peninsula throughout winter but these holidays we wanted to give special mention to Now and Then Goods Winter Community Market on Saturday 17 July. Hosted at Coro Club in Whitianga from 9am - 1pm enjoy a range of artisan, retro and produce stalls. 

Enjoy the hols, folks! Lap it all up and remember at the heart of Coromandel Goodness what is truly important. He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.