Stretching from the magnificent beaches of the Coromandel to the seemingly endless sunshine of Gisborne, the Pacific Coast is a magnet for overseas traveller's and locals alike.
Hawke’s Bay, home to the art deco town of Napier, is New Zealand’s leading food and wine region. Long hot summers and mild winters provide the perfect stimulant for a wide variety of delicious fresh produce.
The Coromandel Peninsula is the place where, every summer, thousands of New Zealanders go to rest, recuperate and rediscover friends and family alike. Uncommonly blessed in every way, the Coromandel will capture your imagination in the very same way.
Travel the Pacific Coast at any time of the year and be prepared to be inspired by Mother Nature.
Wine & Food
Coromandel
Matatoki Farm Cheese is a local farmhouse industry situated 12 kilometres from Thames, on the Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand. You will be able to taste the difference of the fresh products made direct from the farm.
After many years of operation, the variation of cheeses manufactured has grown to around 20. From different times in the season there becomes some unique flavours, such as the Golden Gouda, with its creamy, slightly sour taste and the varying creaminess of the Coromandel Blue. The all year round production of soft cheeses like traditional brie, feta, fresh mozzarella and famous Greek yoghurt, slows over the winter season as milk supply decreases.
Try sheep (ewes milk) cheeses, these are a great alternative for allergy sufferers, easily digested, very high in protein and low in cholesterol with a unique delicate flavour. All soft cheeses and some of the semi hard cheeses are made with vegetable rennet, which is good news for vegetarians.
Bay of Plenty
Morton Estate and Mills Reef are both award winning wineries and restaurants famous for cuisine that makes the most of local seafood, meat and produce.
Hawke's Bay
Winery and Food Trails
These fantastic trail guides are a fantastic way to self-drive your way through the region. The ‘Food Trail’ lists farm gate, artisan food producers and food destination outlets and the ‘Winery Guide’ highlights 29 of Hawke’s Bay wineries, many with restaurant facilities. These are available at all i-site Visitor Centres in the region.
Nature & Scenic
Bay of Plenty
Mauao (Mount Maunganui) is home to the most popular walks in the region. The tracks wind up and around Mauao and offer panoramic views of outlying islands, the long stretches of beach plus frequent sights of seals and whales. Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park offers a range of tramps past native bush and beautiful waterfalls. Kaiate Falls is a pretty bush-filled ravine where the stream drops in a series of nine cascading waterfalls.
Hawke's Bay
Te Mata Peak towers 400 metres above sea level and offers panoramic views of the Ruahine, Kaweka and Maungaharuru ranges and Cape Kidnappers. According to Maori legend, Te Mata hillscape is a sleeping giant, with the hill being the body of Maori Chief, Te Mata O Rongokako.
Art & Culture
Bay of Plenty
The region has a strong arts identity with many local galleries and shops selling local art. The Cargo Shed on Dive Crescent houses a cultural art market open on weekends where local artists sell their goods. The Tauranga Art Gallery will be opening in early 2007. Maori culture is strong in the region as is history, with both the Elms Mission House and Maketu having great historic and cultural significance.
Hawke's Bay
The Longest Place Name in the World – Porangahau, Central Hawke’s Bay! Taumata whakatangi hangakoauau o tamatea turi pukakapiki maunga horo nuku pokai whenua kitanatahu
If you are fit enough to say this, the world’s longest place name with its 85 letters and walk to the hilltop which takes the name, you will discover spectacular views, a feeling of being in a special, spiritual place and learn a little of New Zealand’s cultural history.
The Taumata walk is near Porangahau, Central Hawke’s Bay. Maori chief, Tamatea, composed this lament to name the prominent hill as a tribute to his brother, who was killed in battle there. Hundreds of years later, the 250-hectare farm is still owned by Tamatea’s descendants, the Scott family.
Beach & Coastal Encounters
Bay of Plenty
The region boasts endless white sandy beaches all the way from Waihi Beach through Mount Maunganui to Maketu. The region is well-known as one of the top holiday spots for New Zealanders.
Hawke's Bay
Te Angiangi Marine Reserve was established in August 1997. It is located on the Central Hawke's Bay coast, approximately 30 km east of Waipukurau and Waipawa. It covers an area of about 1.3 square nautical miles (446 hectares), extending one nautical mile offshore from mean high water mark between Blackhead and Aramoana beaches.
Wildlife Experiences
Bay of Plenty
The region is home to tens of thousands of dolphins so the chance of seeing and swimming with them is extremely high. It’s also common to see seals and whales near the beaches in Mount Maunganui.
Hawke's Bay
Bird lovers love Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony. The gannet reserve there is rare in ornithological circles as it contains the largest and most accessible mainland gannet colony in the world. Known to the Maori as Takapu, the gannet is usually an island breeder but has made a notable exception at Cape Kidnappers on the East Coast of the North Island. The best time to go is from early November (hatching time) to late February. The reserve is closed to the public from July to the Wednesday before Labour Day each year.
Related Information
Itinerary Ideas - Pacific Coast Highway
7 Day Itinerary:
Auckland to Auckland
From Auckland, take a 7 day journey through the best of the central North Island including the pristine beaches of Coromandel, Rotorua and the Hawkes Bay’s celebrated wine country.
Regional Facts - Pacific Coast Highway The Pacific Coast Highway travels along the spectacular east coast of the Central North Island and is known for its quality and attractive vineyards.