Tracing Golden Trails in The Coromandel
For a fresh look at the place where Kiwis love to holiday, head into the green hills and valleys with a sense of discovery .
Golden Days in The Coromandel
The Coromandel was the first place gold was discovered in New Zealand, initiating feverish migration to the area, with prospectors seeking to find their fortune in the deep veins of the Coromandel Ranges.
Kauri Heritage on The Coromandel
About 400 hectares of mature kauri trees remain in the 2000s. Many of these survived because they were located in areas too difficult for loggers to access. The main stands are in the Moehau ecological area, the Manaia Forest Sanctuary and the upper reaches of the Tairua River.
Captain Cook’s Coromandel and Hauraki expedition
The Coromandel offers a unique opportunity to experience the area for the first time, as the great navigator, Captain James Cook did, in November 1769.
Captain James Cook discovers The Coromandel
The observation of the transit of Mercury enabled Captain James Cook to establish the geographic coordinates of New Zealand - literally placing it on the world map and resulting in the now familiar place names of Mercury Bay and Cooks Beach.
Kupe's Footsteps
Kupe was the first Polynesian explorer to sight The Coromandel. In around 950 AD, before the canoe migrations, Kupe travelled from Raiatea, Hawaiki in the mighty double canoe, Matahourua.
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