We are lucky to call The Coromandel Peninsula our home! Located to the East of Auckland, about a 1.5-2.5 hour drive from Auckland, depending on where you are traveling from and to. Not to be confused with Coromandel Town, which is a town up the beautiful Thames Coast Road on the West side of the Coromandel Peninsula.
The Coromandel Peninsula has a number of beautiful little towns, including Whitianga (on the East side) which is where we live. We are no experts but because we live here we are a bit familiar with the region, especially when it comes to dog exercise vs restricted areas.
We have hosted a number of overseas visitors with us and I am in a few NZ travel Facebook groups where I often write suggestions of where to go and what to do, so I thought I should share that here and also include about dog friendly spots and where you will need to leave them at home (or in our facilities for the day or overnight).
If you have anything to add or you are a dog friendly business please reach out and we can add you to this page 😊
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE DOG RULES FOR THE THAMES COROMANDEL DISTRICT
See below for a list of dog friendly accommodation options.
Coromandel Peninsula Loop
I always suggest to people that you do a loop around the Coromandel Peninsula. There’s this way or do it in reverse…
Come up via Waihi and Whangamata (this works if you are coming from Tauranga or Matamata (Hobbiton). Explore Waihi and Whangamata beaches and check out the Karangahake Gorge (dogs on leash). You can also stop in at Pauanui and Tairua beaches along the way if you have time. In Tairua climb Mt Paku (dogs on leash) for spectacular views over Pauanui and the ocean (you can drive most of the way up).
Whitianga is very central to most of the Coromandel region so I recommend to stay there, from Whitianga you can do a day trip to:
– Hot Water Beach (2 hours either side of low tide) – no dogs at the hot water part of the beach, possibly allowed elsewhere
– Hahei Beach (Cathedral Cove is accessed from here but unsure when it will reopen – no dogs at Cathedral Cove)
– Shakespeare Cliff lookout (you can also catch the ferry from Whitianga and then do a gorgeous walk to here and Lonely Bay)
SHAKESPEARE CLIFF BUSH WALK Allow 2-3 hours (dogs on leash) You can catch the ferry from Whitianga to “Ferry Landing”, from here you can walk through the bush to Shakespeare Cliff, via Whitianga Rock (Pa Site) and Maramatotara track which is to the right when you get off the ferry. Or if you want to be quicker you can walk to the Shakespeare Cliff track via the road. You can then walk down to Lonely Bay and Cooks Beach if you wish to. To walk back you can just follow the road back to Ferry Landing.
– Lonely Bay (accessed via boat or walking track accessed from the road to Shakespeare Cliff)
Another day you could do this:
– Opito Beach
– Otama Beach (one of our favourite beaches, in fact a lot of our tourist visitors have preferred this over Cathedral Cove) (dogs off lead at all times of year down the far end)
– Kuaotunu beach with lunch at Lukes Kitchen (dogs welcome outside)
– New Chum Beach (best around low tide) (no dogs)
– Matarangi Beach & Rings Beach Loop Track (dogs on lead)
You could also spend a day exploring Whitianga – The Lost Spring Whitianga is incredible to visit! The bike park is fun to explore and has some bush walks and glow worms (dogs allowed).
The 309 Road has some little gems to explore…
Read about a selection of things to see and do here
Waiau Falls & Kauri Grove Lookout walk (no dogs)
Then when it’s time to leave to Auckland go via Coromandel town. There’s a lookout on the top of hill over to Coromandel town.
Check out the Driving Creek Railway – they also have zip lining there too.
Long Bay is lovely at high tide and has a nice little walk if you have time.
Then head down the Thames Coromandel coast through all the gorgeous little seaside villages before reaching Thames where you can then turn off to Auckland or head south 🙂 This drive is prettiest at high tide or close to high tide. Be sure to stop at the lookout south of Coromandel town too – stunning and can see across to the Auckland side.
Let me know if you have any questions!
Dog Friendly Accommodation
Please check with these companies regarding their dog policy before booking as it may have changed or differ over peak periods.
Riverglen (Coroglen)
Seabreeze Holiday Park (Whenuakite, 20 minutes south of Whitianga)
Long Bay Motor Camp (Coromandel)
Dog Friendly Businesses
Please contact us to list a business here!
shinecanine.co.nz 