BOATS, BOOTS AND WHEELS
Kelly Lynch leaves her stress far behind on a day trip down to Coro.
The best way to beat the traffic to Coromandel is on a boat. Either for a day trip or weekend getaway, 360 Discovery Cruises leave from Downtown Auckland to Hannaford’s Wharf in Coromandel, with a return trip in the late afternoon. Collected at the wharf by Coromandel Adventures passengers are transported to nearby Coromandel town.
It is commonly known as Coro and on Saturdays there is a good mix of locals and visitors along the main Kapanga Rd, buying the essentials from the old colonial stores and cottages open for business: hardware, stationery, there’s a butchery, gift shops and a collective selling local art. Sundays are a lot sleepier.
Scattered among stores is a generous array of bars, cafes and eateries. The signature culinary hero is mussels, served many ways: chowder, fritters, soaked in wine, steamed — any way you like. A favourite spot is Pepper Tree Restaurant, partially shaded by an elegant 105-year-old pepper tree. Around the corner cafe, Umu caters well for children.
There are several walks from town, one of them along the coastline and bicycles can be hired from the Coromandel Top 10 Holiday Park. The town is a perfect base to explore the bush-clad Coromandel ranges, its waterfalls, forest and magical views.
Locally Creative
About to celebrate 13 years in business, the eight artists who make up Coromandel Artist Collective, operate The Source — an art shop in the centre of town that sells pieces created only by local artists. The store is full of unique Coromandel treasures, jewellery, photographs, paintings, scarves, weaving and pottery. The Source, 32 Kapanga Rd coromandelartstour.co.nz