DAY 1 - As always, we will collect you from your door before we head north through Katikati, past kiwifruit and avocado orchards to our first stop at the Martha Gold Mine in Waihi. This historic town has a fascinating and unique gold story to tell. Although mining operations are ordinarily off-limits to the public, our Gold Mine Tour will take us inside the fence to experience modern-day gold mining up close. See every stage of the process from ore extraction and crushing, through to final processing. There is also plenty of massive mining equipment on show as well.

Learn of the colourful stories from the mine’s past and before departing we have time to visit the Waihi Gold Experience at the Gold Discovery Centre. This is an interactive display which gives you a real insight into the world of gold mining. 

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Departing Waihi we continue through the Karangahake Gorge to the old railway station cafe for lunch (your cost). Then onwards past Thames (once New Zealand’s largest town!) and along the Tapu coast road, with majestic views over the Firth of Thames.

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On our way to our Coromandel motel, we call in to the beautiful Rapaura Water Gardens. Recommended by international travel guidebooks, Rapaura is a 64-acre private estate nestled in the midst of the Coromandel Forest Park, a lovely garden to wander through.

 

Tonight we dine a top local restaurant, just a short walk from our motel. 

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Day 2 - This morning we head to the eastern side of the peninsula to Whitianga, taking the scenic coastal route through Kuoatuna for a 2 hour cruise on a glass bottom boat. We will enjoy this unique eco tour, exploring the stunning volcanic coastline above the surface and the magical underwater world of the marine reserve, below the surface. 

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Looking through the glass panels, you can see diverse marine life, including red snapper, red moki, leatherjackets and schools of demoiselles and blue mau-mau. Look closely through the kelp forest to spot stingrays, crayfish and octopus. On the surface keep your eyes peeled for blue penguins, sea birds and marine mammals such as dolphins, orca and seals. The marine scientist shipper can tell you about the marine life and the  precious eco system of the marine reserve as we share our core belief on sustainability and maintaining a healthy ocean.

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Returning to shore we allow time for lunch at a local cafe of your choice before retracing our route back to Coromandel for the afternoon to an iconic destination, the unique Driving Creek Railway, New Zealand’s only narrow-gauge mountain railway.

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This labour of love by it's builder Barry Brickell is now a popular tourist attraction. Climb aboard for a captivating one-hour railway journey and be inspired by the story of one man’s lifetime passion to bring art, conservation and engineering together to create Driving Creek. Your train driver will entertain you with the story of Barry and how this amazing place came to be, as your tram winds its way up to the EyeFull Tower lookout.

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The rest of the afternoon and evening is free for you to relax and wander the interesting shops and sights of Coromandel, as dinner is not included this evening.

Whats Included:

• 3 days of touring

• 2 nights quality accommodation

• Door to door service (Tauranga area)

• Quality air-conditioned vehicle

• Full commentary by your guide

• All breakfasts and one dinner

• Waihi Gold Mine tour

• Driving Creek Railway

• Rapaura Water Gardens

• Glass Bottom Boat cruise

• Plenty of stops along the way

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You will see:

• Stunning scenery throughout

• Waihi and the Martha Gold mine

• The Karangahake Gorge

• Historic town of Thames

• Hot Water Beach

• Hahei and Catherdal Cove

• Coromandel township​

• Golden sand beaches

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Not included:

• Any lunches unless specified* 

• Morning/afternoon tea stops*

• Any alcoholic beverages with meals

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* Please note, that unless specified in the itinerary we do not usually include the cost of lunches or morning and afternoon tea stops in the tour cost, but we always make stops where there are a range of options available so you can choose what you want, and have flexibility to do things on your own if you wish.