The Coromandel Walkway

Enjoy a Coastal Walk Before the Summer Crowds

Summer is on its way, the temperatures in New Zealand are climbing, the birds are getting busier, and before the Christmas holiday traffic arrives, there's one walk I keep coming back to. 

The Coromandel Walkway runs between Fletcher Bay and Stony Bay on the northern tip of the peninsula. The full return trip is 20 kilometres, and you should allow about seven hours so you can take your time.

If the full walk is more than you want, start at Fletcher Bay, walk out to Poley Bay, and head back the way you came. If you start from the Stony Bay end instead, you'll spend much of the walk under tree canopy and miss the views you came for.

For most of the way the track has an easy gradient. It crosses farmland, drops into coastal forest, and opens out to views of the Pinnacles, Aotea (Great Barrier Island) to the north and Repanga (Cuvier Island) to the east.

The track is part of an old bridle path that early pioneers formed to link the two bays, and you can feel that history as you walk. The grade is gentle, but there's one steep section going in to and out of Poley Bay. That's where your legs will remind you they're there.

Andrew on the Coromandel Walkway, with the bay opening out below him. Take your time up here.

What you need to know before you go

The Department of Conservation has recently repaired the track, and in some places it's narrower than it used to be. Heavy rain can leave debris on the track, and DOC may close sections temporarily while they clear it. Check their website for current updates before you head out. This is a remote track, and conditions change.

Cell phone coverage is patchy along the way, so tell someone where you're going and when you expect to be back.

The bay opening up along the walkway. Grab a seat on the grass and take it all in.

Getting there

From Coromandel town, follow Colville Road north for 31 kilometres to Colville Bay. From there, take Port Jackson Road for 30 kilometres to Fletcher Bay, or Port Charles Road for 20 kilometres to Stony Bay. Both roads are gravel for much of the way, so take your time.

You can walk the track one way and arrange a lift, or simply go back the way you came.

If you're after something more active, the Coromandel mountain bike track follows a stock route across farmland and regenerating forest. It's much steeper and slippery in places, so think of it as hike and bike rather than just bike. DOC suggests it's only for advanced riders with a good level of fitness. From the top you get views across the ranges and islands of the Hauraki Gulf, and the track rejoins the walkway below a historic shepherd's hut near Poley Bay.

Andrew beside the shepherd's hut at Poley Bay, with Aotea (Great Barrier Island) on the horizon. The weather changes fast out here, so pack a layer.

Staying there

If you want to extend your visit, the DOC campsites at Fletcher Bay and Stony Bay each have their own character.

Sharon taking a break in the old shepherd's hut near Poley Bay. Worth the stop, and worth a look at the carved names on the ceiling.

Why this walk

I love this coastline, especially in early summer when the pohutukawa are in full flower.

There's no booking system for this walk. You just turn up and start walking, which means you can pick a good weather window at short notice.

It's also a good walk for anyone who has been meaning to get outdoors more but doesn't know where to start. It's a proper day out with real scenery, and you don't need to be an athlete to enjoy it. Do as little or as much as you like. Bring water, decent shoes, a warm layer for the sea breezes, and a bit of time.

Summer will bring plenty of people to the Coromandel, so get out early, take your time, and enjoy the bays while they're still quiet.

Have you walked the Coromandel Walkway, or is it on your list for summer? I'd love to hear which bay you'd head to first, or any tips you've picked up along the way. Pop them in the comments below, and I'll reply when I'm back in signal range.