Coromandel Town (Kapangai) is an attractive, historic and tourist-oriented town on the west side of the Coromandel Peninsula. It is about two-thirds of the way up the Firth of Thames coast from Thames on the edge of Coromandel Harbour. Check the northern end of the harbour out at sunset!
The town is known for its well-maintained circa 1800s-style shops, galleries, and eateries. The buildings were developed to support gold mining. After the gold ran out, remoteness and lack of industry left the town in a time warp. The area became known for its alternative lifestyles, leading to fabulous oddball attractions and a focus on arts and crafts. A perfect mix as tourism developed and nearby Driving Creek Railway and Waterworks are must-visit places that reflect this unique history.
The town is also an excellent base for exploring the peninsula. Nearby, Wyuna Bay is suitable for picnics, swimming and boating. Several local walking tracks include the Kauri Block, Kaipawa Trig, Harray Track, and the Long Bay Kauri Walk. The latter takes you to one of the oldest kauri on the peninsula. To the north, on Colville Road, you can get to the peninsula's tip at Port Jackson and Cape Colville. State Highway 25 heads to the east coast from the town and to Whangapoua Harbour, then south to Whitianga.
The remote, rugged 309 Road is also of interest. The mostly metal road starts from State Highway 25, 6 km south of the town, and winds up and across the peninsula to reconnect with State Highway 25 south of Whitianga. At the east end of the road, there is the Waterworks, followed by Waiau Falls and the nearby Waiau Kauri Grove. You can check out Moutere / Castle Rock as a side trip for a more challenging tramp.
The town was named after HMS Coromandel, which arrived in the harbour in 1820 to collect kauri ship spars. Kauri logging and milling led to a European presence on Whanganui Island, the largest of the islands at the harbour's entrance. In the 1850s, the government initially intended to build the town on the island. Although sections were sold off the plan, establishing a town proved impractical. The sections were repurchased, and the town was established at the harbour's north end.
The town’s establishment coincided with the first discovery of gold on the Coromandel Peninsula in 1852, when two brothers, Charles and Fredrick Ring, found gold flakes at Driving Creek. There was a 30-day rush until it was apparent the gold was limited. More discoveries were made in the early 1860s, especially around Matawai Stream, about 10k southeast of the town and west of Motuere / Castle Rock. At least eleven gold mines operated from 1869 until the 1900s, with the Matawai Mine being the largest. The history of gold is readily apparent around the town.
