Travelling with Pets - COROMANDEL

Sand, sea and surf make for one happy dog – and human too! You can both live your best beachy lives amongst the golden sands of the Coromandel Peninsula.

DOG PARKS

PARK AVENUE RESERVE, WHANGAMATA A large grassy park with some great agility equipment for your pooch to practice on and earn their personal best.

PURANGI RESERVE, COOKS BEACH A lovely quiet sandy inlet, great for swims at high tide and off-leash runs at low. The pōhutukawa trees offer a shady retreat from the summer sun, while the picnic tables, covered BBQ, toilets and a playground give a good reason to hang out all day.

MORE…

• Hilton Park, Whitianga

• Ōpoutere Bush

• Robinson Reserve, Mercury Bay

• Burke Reserve, Thames

• Heatherington Road Reserve, Whangamata

• Pātiki Bay, Durrant Drive, Whangamata

• Morgan Park, Waihi

CHECK OUT

WAIOMU BEACH CAFÉ, THAMES Perfectly situated for a relaxing breakfast after your morning walkies! While you tuck into your eggs benedict, your pup will be spoiled with homemade doggie treats. Win, win!

THE WATERWORKS, WAIAU Just 10 minutes from Coromandel Town you’ll find five acres of native bush, where you and your fuzzy-faced friend can explore the mad array of water-powered inventions and quirky contraptions.

KARANGAHAKE GORGE HISTORIC WALKWAY Start at the Eastern Portal Bridge following the river upstream and along the line of the railway. This enchanting 4km walk takes in natural wonders like the Owharoa Falls butalso places of historical interest with Victoria Battery plus mining sites and relics. Ending at Waikato Station you can return the sameway or catch a ride with friends. Dogs on-leash.

Owharoa Falls

© Northland Tourism

TOP & TAIL TIP

You can take your dog to Hot Water Beach to bathe in the warm waters. Check the local council’s times before you do!

WALKIES

WENTWORTH FALLS WALKS, WHANGAMATĀ Join the walking track from the Wentworth campsite to Wentworth Falls, alongside the river. This 3km walk will take you 2hr 30min to complete, crossing over two bridges before climbing to a good view of the falls where you can admire the two 20m drops. From here, a steeper track leads to a basin at the top of the falls and experienced trampers can continue on to cross the main range – the Maratoto to Wentworth Crossing. Dogs will need to be on-lead.

KAURI BLOCK WALK, COROMANDEL Easy 3km return, on-leash

LONG BAY KAURI WALK, COROMANDEL Easy 2.5km loop, on-leash

OPERA POINT WALK, COROMANDEL Easy 1.5km loop, on-leash

MATARANGI BLUFF TRACK, WHITIANGA Easy 2km return, on-leash

MOUNT PAKU SUMMIT, TAIRUA Moderate 1km return, on-leash

MINES WALK, WENTWORTH VALLEY ROAD, WHANGAMATĀ Easy 1km loop, on-leash

THE TRIG TRAIL, WAIHI BEACH Easy 3km return, some off-leash

ROCKY’S WALK TO TINKER’S GULLY, THAMES Easy 4km loop, on-leash

BIG ADVENTURES

MATARANGI BLUFF LOOP VIA RINGS BEACH Moderate 5.5km loop, on-leash

COOKSON KAURI WALK, WHITIANGA Moderate 7km return, on-leash

WAIOMU KAURI GROVE, TE PURU, COROMANDEL Moderate 5km return, on-leash

WAIHI TO WAIKINO TRACK Moderate 9km point-topoint, on-leash

Beah

© Ursula Makasini

DOG-FRIENDLY SPOTS

• Port Jackson (southern half)

• Matarangi Beach

• Buffalo Beach, Whitianga

• Kūaotunu plus Matarangi, Ōtama & Ōpito Bay except public holiday weekends and from 20 December to 31 January

• Cooks Beach, Coromandel

• Hahei Beach

• Hot Water Beach, Coromandel

• Anzac Bay, Waihi

Hammock, Thames Coast

© Logan Dodds

HAPPY CAMPERS

• Hot Water Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park (off-peak)

• Beachaven Holiday Park, Waihi Beach

• Booms Flat Campsite, Coromandel Forest Park

• Hotoritori Campsite, Coromandel Forest Park

• Seabreeze Holiday Park, Whenuakite, Whitianga

• Shelly Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park, Coromandel

• Riverglen Holiday Park, Coroglen

Camping

© Adobe Stock