Lazy, Hazy Coromandel Summer
Thanks to its golden beaches, relaxed seaside villages and stunning coastline, the Coromandel is a favourite holiday spot for Kiwis over summer. Many of us have fond memories of weeks spent by the water kicking back with family and friends and enjoying the simple things in life.
With the warmer weather on the way, now is the ideal time to get busy planning your Coromandel summer. Kicking off the season in style is the popular Pohutukawa Festival, which takes place from 21 November to 7 December. Two weeks of fun celebrations are timed to coincide with the region’s iconic Pohutukawa trees bursting into flower. The highlight will be Kiwi band of the year Opshop, who will play beside the Tairua harbour on Saturday 29 November. You can get your tickets now from www.pohutukawafestival.co.nz.
Providing the perfect complement 
to the Coromandel summer is the fine local food and fresh produce – and that’s available all year round. Be sure to set some time aside to do The Coromandel Homegrown Food Trail. A delight for foodies, this trail circles the peninsula taking in delicious local delicacies such as smoked fish, oysters, scalllops, macadamias, crayfish, organic cheeses and other seasonal produce.
When you’ve finished indulging in all those gourmet
treats, you can walk it off discovering the region’s scenic trails. You’ll find some delightful shorter walks in the Karangahake Gorge between Paeroa and Waihi, the Windows Walk being a real highlight. More experienced walkers can tackle The Coromandel Coastal Walkway between Fletchers Bay and Stony Bay – easily one of New Zealand’s most stunning coastal walks – or climb to the top of the Pinnacles in the Kaueraunga Valley.
The Cathedral Cove Walk (1.5hrs return) in Hahei offers spectacular coastal scenery en route to the white sands of Cathedral Cove, which served as a film set for the Narnia Chronicles. There is kayaking, diving and glass bottom boat tours if you want to explore this beautiful area further.
New on the Coromandel in December is the Whitianga attraction, The Lost Spring. 
This luxurious geothermal spa has been 15 years in the making and promises to be one of the most unique thermal attractions in New Zealand, with sculpted pools, soothing waterfalls and a smoking volcano.
Of course, summer means picnic weather, and the Coromandel has its fair share of outdoor attractions to keep the family entertained. Pack a picnic and enjoy the swimming holes and whimsical water inventions at Waiau Waterworks; explore 
the picturesque Ngatea Water Gardens, experience a slice of rural life at Bullswool Farm Park and Whiti Farm Park or discover the walking trails and gardens at Rapaura Watergardens.
More Information
• Order your free Jasons Coromandel Routeplanner and Jasons Taste Traveller
• Coromandel Activities & Attractions
• Coromandel Accommodation
• Tourism Coromandel
Editorial and images courtesy of Tourism Coromandel