Pauanui sits on the southern side of the Tairua Harbour, directly opposite the town of Tairua and the volcanic cones of Paku. Access to Pauanui is off State Highway 25 along Hikuai Settlement Road.
The town feels slightly odd as an NZ town. It was purpose-built as an upmarket beachside town in the 1970s. It has a carefully planned feel and is one of the few places ideal for cycling. There is a track to follow on the harbour's south side, but a visit is about the beach. It is one of the best on the Coromandel.
The beach has some freedom camping at either end and a large reserve that separates it from the nearest houses. It is reasonably safe to swim anywhere on an incoming tide, being somewhat sheltered by offshore islands. But there is a surf patrol towards the southern end.
Walk to the southern end to find the Pauanui Trig Track. It is a 90-minute hike up Pauanui Hill, then down to the coast south of the beach, and then back around the stony shoreline. There are shorter walks to a viewpoint and an ancient volcanic rock platform.
