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Tairua

...a small NZ seaside town

Tairua is a small, friendly seaside town on the coast of the rugged, bush-clad Coromandel Peninsula. The town is set in a picturesque harbour bounded by hills on one side and by the golden sands of a Pacific ocean beach on the other. Across the river estuary is the holiday resort of Pauanui with its magnificent ocean beach and canal housing development.

Nearest Small Town to Famous Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cove

Hot Water Beach is a 20 minute drive from Tairua village. At this ocean surf beach, visitors can dig into the sand and make their own thermal pool. (two hours each side of low tide). Just another 5 minutes further, at Hahei, is the beginning of the 40 minute walk leading to Cathedral Cove, a beautiful secluded beach. Cathedral Cove is part of a marine reserve established in 1992 and is accessed only by the walking track or by boat.

Photo: Tourism Coromandel
Relax in your own thermal pool
Photo: Tairua Information Centre
Cathedral Cove, a beautiful secluded beach


Strategic Stop on the Pacific Coast Highway
Tairua is a central point from which to explore the Coromandel portion of the Pacific Coast Highway. The town is within 2 hours easy driving from Auckland over the fully sealed, scenic Kopu - Hikuai Road, part of State Highway 25. A convenient mid point on the Whitianga - Whangamata holiday coast, with its myriad of golden ocean beaches.




Photo: Gaby Schultz 6/10/95

Walks include old gold mine tunnels

Close to Broken Hills Forest Park
Only 24km from Tairua, this beautiful river gorge offers a network of well marked walking tracks through attractive New Zealand native bush. There is a camping ground set alongside the Tairua River. The area provides opportunities for swimming, picnicking as well as canoeing, bird watching and trout fishing. The area is also known as Puketui Valley, named after the thriving gold mining settlement that existed around the turn of the century. This mining history adds a great deal of interest to the walks which include old mine workings and tunnels in which glow worms can be seen. Guided walks are available.




A Coromandel Scenic Experience

Tairua offers spectacular Coromandel views from many vantage points. From the summit of Paku Mountain there are a panoramic views of ocean, islands, the sea coast and the Tairua River stretching up towards the mountainous backbone of the Coromandel Peninsula.

Photo: D Cory-Wright
Photo: Tourism Coromandel
A picturesque harbour bounded by hills and golden beaches






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