At a Glance
- Last visited: Oct-25 (visited multiple times)
- Location: Coromandel Peninsula, North Island, New Zealand
- Best time to visit: Outside public holidays and school holidays, when it’s much quieter. Summer (November to April is best weather).
- How long to stay: minimum 2 days around Whitianga but easy to spend a week or more if exploring
- Best for: Beaches, Cathedral Cove, Scenery, digging your own hot pool, and a slow-pace of life
- Budget (family of 4): $300-$400 per day
- Getting there: About 2 hours east of Auckland
- Getting around: a car is best as public transport can be limited and slow
- Best area to stay: Whitianga or Hahei. The East Coast has the best beaches.
- Family friendly rating: 8/10 – great for the outdoors lifestyle – great beaches & walks but it doesn’t have man-made stimulation if your kids love arcades, rides – that kind of stuff
Quick Picks
This post contains affiliate links – full disclosure at the end
Two hours east of Auckland, the Coromandel Peninsula is a favourite weekend escape for Aucklanders and one of the best family destinations on the North Island. Forested hills, beautiful beaches and a very relaxed vibe make this a popular destination with locals and tourists alike.
But try to avoid it on public holidays and school holidays, as it’s one of the few spots in New Zealand that does feel busy, as Aucklanders head there en-masse.
This is our family guide to the Coromandel Peninsula with kids.
In This Article:
- what is the Coromandel like for families?
- when to visit the Coromandel with kids
- getting to the Coromandel
- getting around the Coromandel with kids
- where to stay on the Coromandel with kids
- where to eat on the Coromandel with kids
- things to do on the Coromandel with kids
- tips for the Coromandel with kids
- costs and budget
- plan your Coromandel trip
- frequently asked questions
What is the Coromandel Peninsula Like for Families?
The Coromandel is made up dramatic forested hills, beautiful beaches and a handful of small towns, all within two hours of Auckland. It’s one of the best family destinations on the North Island, and the reason is simple: there’s a lot for kids to do in natural surroundings.
The headline acts are Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach, both unmissable. Around them you get easygoing towns, a narrow-gauge mountain railway, a petting farm and beaches that are mostly empty.
When to Visit the Coromandel with Kids
Avoid Public Holidays and School Holidays
The Coromandel is one of the few spots in New Zealand that does feel busy, and it’s busiest on public holidays and school holidays (NZ Summer school holidays are late December to early February). The roads are winding and narrow and getting stuck behind a campervan for several KM can be frustrating. If you can, go outside those holidays.
The Rest of the Year
The weather on the Coromandel is similar to Auckland and so you can visit comfortably from mid-October through to late May and have decent weather. The core Summer being November to April.
Getting to the Coromandel
By Car from Auckland
The Coromandel is about two hours east of Auckland, which is why it’s such a popular weekend escape. The drive is stunning as you approach the peninsula and once onto the peninsula.
Book car here here
One-day tour from Auckland
This is fantastic way to ‘do’ the Coromandel in a day from Auckland without the need to drive yourself -taking in Cathedral Cove and Hot water Beach
Book a tour here
Getting Around the Coromandel with Kids
A car is the best choice as local transport is limited and takes time. The peninsula is very hilly and so many rounds were very windy, with constant hairpin bends in some sections – something to bear in mind if you have kids who get travel-sick on mountain roads.
The Whitianga Ferry
Whitianga has a ferry across to Ferry Landing, which gives you a short hop across the water. This is only a foot passenger crossing is very useful if you stay on the pleasant quieter Ferry Landing side, rather than having to drive an hour around the coast.
Where to Stay on the Coromandel with Kids
The peninsula’s main towns offer good bases for exploring.
Whitianga
The most tourist-oriented of the towns, with good accommodation and all the facilities you would need for a short stay. Also has the foot passenger ferry across to Ferry Landing. The beaches around Whitianga are out of this world and mostly empty.
Hahei
Closest to Cathedral Cove and to Hot Water Beach – a lovely little village. There’s an awesome holiday park (Tasman Holiday Parks – Hahei Beach) here right on the beach. It has a bar, food trucks and awesome hot tubs with great views. It’s a huge space and has plenty for the kids including games rooms. They have cabins and caravans as well as tent pitches – so accommodating those without camping hear – highly recommended.
Whangamata, Tairua and Pauanui
Further south on the east coast. These are all lovely smaller towns, with great communities, beaches and beautiful scenery. They’re just a little further away from the main attractions further north.
Thames and Coromandel Town
Two main hubs on the west coast – historic, charming, good facilities – but staying here means more of a journey to the main attractions on the
East Coast.
Where to Eat on the Coromandel with Kids
Whitianga has plenty of decent places to eat – for a nicer view head down the waterfront by the ferry terminal.
- Grace O’Malley’s – the Irish pub by the ferry terminal, opposite the kid’s playground is a great pub for hearty meals.
- Hottie’s Eatery – Hot Water Beach Café – if you’re renting their spades then you may as well stop for food. Good hearty food with great view of hot water beach.
Things to Do on the Coromandel with Kids
1. ⭐ Hot Water Beach⭐
Two hours either side of low tide, you can dig your own hot pool in the sand at Hot Water Beach. It’s a geothermal phenomenon that fascinates kids (and adults). At busy times, it can become a battle ground for space, so be prepared for mahem. It’s only a small section that gets the hot water. Bring your own spades or you can hire them from the nearby cafe.
Check tide times before you go: at high tide there’s no hot water accessible.
2. Cathedral Cove
One of New Zealand’s most iconic natural arches: a sea cave connecting two beautiful beaches. You can reach it by a 45-minute walk through the bush, or by kayak from Hahei or a water taxi. It’s stunning at any time, but go early to avoid the crowds. The walk is suitable for kids from about age 6 upwards – not too steep and mostly shaded. Once at the cove, have a picnic and lap up the calm water and natural beauty.
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3. Waterfront Playground
This playground is huge, located on the waterfront near the ferry terminal. Shaded areas for mum and dad to chill while the kids run riot.
4. Whiti Farm Park
A petting farm, and an easy win with younger kids. It has the usual animals, including llama, donkeys, pigs, rabbits, deer, sheep and plenty more – it’s very well maintained and it’s a good way to kill an hour or two.
5. Hahei Beach
Hahei is also where you can kayak to Cathedral Cove from if you have older kids, so it pairs neatly with the walk. It’s a beautiful beach and if you’re staying at the excellent campsite (Tasman Holiday Parks – Hahei Beach), here you’re practically camping on the beach – they have chalets and caravans too.
6. The Beaches Around Whitianga
The beaches around Whitianga are out of this world and mostly empty, which makes a nice contrast to the busy spots – check out the glorious Opito Bay and Otama Beach – simply stunning NZ at it’s best.
New Chums Beach – often described as one of the best in New Zealand, is a 40-minute drive from Whitianga. You need to climb up a steep hill and down again, without much protection to get to the beach, which makes it extra special but not suitable for young kids. Totally worth the effort though.
Tips for the Coromandel with Kids
- Avoid public holidays and school holidays if you can. It’s one of the few places in New Zealand that does feel very busy.
- Go to Cathedral Cove early to avoid the crowds. The walk is about 45 minutes and suits kids from about age 6 upwards.
- Check tide times before Hot Water Beach. You can dig your own pool two hours either side of low tide, and there’s no hot water at high tide.
- Hire spades from the cafe near Hot Water Beach if you don’t have your own, and expect it to be packed at the best spots.
- Pick a base to suit you: Whitianga for the most accommodation and ferry, Coromandel Town for a quieter feel but will require more driving to get to the sights on the East Coast.
Costs and Budget for the Coromandel with Kids
- Accommodation – $200-$300 per night
- Whiti Park Farm $9 adults, $6 kids
- Meal for 4: $60-$100
- Free: the beaches, including Hahei and the quiet ones around Whitianga
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is the Coromandel from Auckland?
About two hours east of Auckland, which is why it’s such a popular weekend escape.
Is the Cathedral Cove walk suitable for kids?
The walk takes about 45 minutes through the bush and is suitable for kids from about age 6 upwards. You can also reach it by kayak from Hahei or water taxi.
When is the best time to go to Hot Water Beach?
Two hours either side of low tide. Check tide times before you go, because at high tide there’s no hot water accessible.
When is the Coromandel busiest?
Public holidays and school holidays (Summer holidays are late December to early February). It’s one of the few places in New Zealand that does feel busy then, so go outside those dates if you can.
Where is the best place to stay on the Coromandel?
Whitianga is the most tourist-oriented, with good accommodation. Coromandel Town is charming and less busy but further away from the east coast action.
The east coast towns like Whangamata, Hahei, Tairua – are all great spots, but just a little further to travel to the main attractions.
The Holiday Park (with cabins and caravans) at Hahei is top-dollar – a really great spot right on the beach and awesome facilities.
Have you been to the Coromandel Peninsula with kids? Drop a comment below.
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