Hello Friday
Is there any better feeling than getting in the car on a Friday and driving - just getting away, with nothing but a break in mind?
Winter is the most wonderful time for a rejuvenating getaway because it really is all about you. There are no expectations in winter - not even of good weather (though that’s a bonus)! There are no family functions to organise, no Christmas, no competing priorities or colliding logistics. A weekend winter getaway is simple. Because it’s just three days, it is easy to organise. There is no annual leave to book in advance, no schedules to coordinate, no peak holiday traffic to try and avoid.
The simplicity increases even more when The Coromandel is the getaway destination. It is an easy drive from anywhere and boasts the best opportunity for doing the things that serve your purposes on a winter getaway - to relax, indulge, slow down and enjoy the simple things in life.
Whether it’s a romantic getaway, a girls' weekend, a solitary retreat or a family reconnection, The Coromandel provides precisely what you need to return home refreshed and happy.
Pamper Me
Winter is undoubtedly the best time of year to indulge. The Lost Spring on a wet winter afternoon is the best spot to soak away your troubles and settle in to the slower pace of winter. A poolside cocktail and gourmet treats offer enough of a tropical island holiday vibe, though the lush landscape and genuine hospitality are quintessential Coromandel.
The Coromandel is fast becoming known for its boutique day spas designed to enhance well-being. Tucked away in serene locations in every town, day spas such as Pamper Me in Thames deliver the latest treatments guaranteed to relax even the most stressed-out client. Step out of the spa and continue to enjoy the benefits well after your appointment has finished.
Retail Therapy
Local boutiques offer a soothing antidote to the stress and overwhelm of shopping in today’s urban environment. Where mall shopping has become stressful and chaotic, a leisurely stroll along the towns’ wide footpaths provides the pleasurable experience shopping used to be. High-quality fashion, homewares, gifts and accessories are carefully curated and stylishly displayed with an element of care no longer seen in today’s mass-produced chain stores. Service is helpful, time is abundant and fitting rooms are generous. There is a proud tradition of stocking locally and New Zealand-made in Coromandel boutiques. Expect to happen upon treasures not to be found elsewhere.
Time To Enjoy Life’s Pleasures
The Coromandel is a creative haven for many, and what better time than winter to wander into an Aladdin's cave of creativity at one of several local art galleries across the region? With time and without crowds, discover what truly moves you. Enjoy painting, sculpture and other artworks created by the region’s talented artists and craftspeople or visit www.creativecoromandel.co.nz for all the arts events and activities happening throughout The Coromandel.
Should all that shopping stir up an appetite, be assured that restaurants are wonderful in The Coromandel in winter. The heartyness of a slow-cooked stew, a velvety red wine and a blazing fireplace will further serve to remind why a three-day getaway to The Coromandel is a good for your soul experience. Restaurants are mostly owner-operated, and your chance of meeting the restaurateur is highest in winter. Discover their story, enjoy their hospitality. There is less stress and more time to linger longer at your table, time to order the molten fudge lava cake for dessert, time to take a post-dinner stroll on an empty beach under the moonlight.
Similarly, enjoy your pick of authentic and exquisitely stylish boutique accommodation in The Coromandel during winter. Enjoy stunning ocean views whilst rugged up beside the comfort of a cosy log fire. Experience the true warmth of winter hospitality and best of all, get a good night’s sleep in a luxuriously comfortable bed.
An impressive variety of holiday homes allow the liberty of a home-away-from-home experience - or the chance to stay in the house of your dreams. Awaken to birdsong from a treetop dwelling, or enjoy dramatic winter vistas from within a cosy beachside sanctuary.
The Coromandel is all yours in winter. There are fewer people, more space and a gentle easy-going pace allowing you to slow down and chill out.
Places of Interest
Day Spas
The Lost Spring,
Evolve Hair & Day Spa - Whitianga
Spa del Sol - Tairua
Utopia Health and Beauty Therapy - Pauanui
Pamper Me - Thames
Retail Boutiques
Contain - Whangamata
agnes +annabel - Whitianga
Harry and Her - Whitianga and Whangamatā
Haus Blank - Tairua
Millys on Main Street - Tairua
Hello Friday - Pauanui
Armoire - Pauanui
Mainly Casual - Thames, Whitianga, Whangamatā
Galleries
The Little Gallery - Tairua & Whangamatā
The Lawnmower's Son Art Space - Hahei
Moko Artspace - Hot Water Beach
Jenny McLeods Glass Gallery - Thames
Accommodation
Sunlover Retreat - Tairua
Falls Retreat - Karangahake Gorge
Wairua Lodge - Whitianga
Taigh na Mara - Kūaotunu
Eateries
Blue Ginger - Whitianga
Manaia Kitchen & Bar - Tairua
Falls Retreat - Karangahake Gorge
Ti Tree Cafe - Waihi
Cafe Melbourne - Thames
Wharf Road - Coromandel Town
