Better than your average highway stop, Colenso has excellent fair-trade coffee, scones, cakes and light snacks, as well as a shop selling homewares and gifts. Try the delicious macadamia nut brittle.
Colenso
Coromandel Peninsula
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
19.99 MILES
Walk through a mine tunnel, watch a stamper battery crush rock, learn about the history of the Cornish miners and try your hand at panning for gold…
6.46 MILES
Beautiful Cathedral Cove, with its famous gigantic stone arch and natural waterfall shower, is best enjoyed early or late in the day – avoiding the worst…
5.94 MILES
Long, lovely Hahei Beach is made more magical by the view to the craggy islands in the distance. From the southern end of Hahei Beach, it’s a 15-minute…
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6.94 MILES
Around seven million years ago Paaku was a volcanic island, but now it forms the northern head of Tairua’s harbour. Ngāti Hei had a pā here before being…
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8.09 MILES
This expensive but intriguing Disney-meets-Polynesia thermal complex comprises a series of hot pools in a lush jungle-like setting complete with an…
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School of Mines & Mineralogical Museum
20.23 MILES
The Historic Places Trust runs tours of these buildings, which house an extensive collection of NZ rocks, minerals and fossils. The oldest section (1868)…
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14.02 MILES
From Tapu, a mainly sealed 6km drive leads to the Rapaura Water Gardens, a marriage of water, greenery, sculpture and platitudes. It has accommodation on…
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15.74 MILES
The Waterworks, 5km east along the 309 Rd from SH25, is a wonderfully bizarre park filled with whimsical water-powered amusements made from old kitchen…
Nearby Coromandel Peninsula attractions
2.98 MILES
Near Hot Water Beach, Moko is full of beautiful things – art, sculpture, jewellery – with a modern Pasifika/Māori bent.
5.94 MILES
Long, lovely Hahei Beach is made more magical by the view to the craggy islands in the distance. From the southern end of Hahei Beach, it’s a 15-minute…
6.46 MILES
Beautiful Cathedral Cove, with its famous gigantic stone arch and natural waterfall shower, is best enjoyed early or late in the day – avoiding the worst…
6.94 MILES
Around seven million years ago Paaku was a volcanic island, but now it forms the northern head of Tairua’s harbour. Ngāti Hei had a pā here before being…
7.38 MILES
Shakespeare Cliff Lookout has excellent views over the ocean and Cooks Beach. It’s accessed across the harbour from Ferry Landing.
7.69 MILES
A small but interesting museum focusing on local history – especially Whitianga’s most famous visitors, Kupe and Cook.
8.09 MILES
This expensive but intriguing Disney-meets-Polynesia thermal complex comprises a series of hot pools in a lush jungle-like setting complete with an…
8. Broken Hills Gold-Mine Workings
12.46 MILES
Located 12km south of Tairua is the turn-off to Puketui Valley and the historic Broken Hills gold-mine workings, which are 8km from the main road along a…