​SHAKESPEARE CLIFF LOOKOUT & RESERVE
- Shakespeare Point, Mercury Bay
Shakespeare Cliif Lookout offers wonderful views of Mercury Bay, Flaxmill Bay & Cooks Beach. The reserve is the site of the Captain Cook Memorial.
Parking is available at various points starting from Flaxmill Bay. There is a track at the eastern end of Flaxmill Bay which leads up and along the headland to a large grassy reserve full of pohutukawa groves, the track then links at the opposite end with a gravel road to the lookout and toilet at the top. Allow at least an hour for the walk.
​Location: Shakespeare Point, Mercury Bay.
Hours: 24.
Price: free
Photo courtesy of D & B Haney
CORNISH PUMPHOUSE - Waihi
​
​The Cornish Pumphouse is a relict of the richest gold mine in NZ (1878-1952). Today the Pumphouse is a derelict skeleton of its once former self. Constructed in 1904 the pumphouse is the towns landmark and was built to hold the steam engines and pumps which kept the 400m deep No 5 mine shaft dry which was designed to shift 6375 litres of water a minute and was used until 1913. At night the Pumphouse is atmospherically lit and not bad for that evening walk on a nice night.
Location: Opposite visitor centre at 126 Seddon St, Waihi.
Price: free
Hours: 24
Photo courtesy of planmyplay
CAPTAIN COOKS MEMORIAL - Whitianga
The memorial commemorates Captian Cooks Landing at Cooks Beach in November 1769, to watch the passage of the planet Mercury across the sun.
Upon landing he planted the English flag and declared New Zealand for King George III. He named Mercury Bay, previously named Te Whanganui-o-hei - The Great Bay of Hei and stayed in the area for 11 days making astronomical observations and studying the Maoris while the ship took on fresh provisions.
Location: Shakespeare Point, Mercury Bay, Whitianga.
Hours: 24 hours
Price: free​

Photo courtesy of Egghead06 at en.wikipedia
BROKEN HILLS GOLDMINE
- Puketui Valley​
Broken Hills Goldmine is situated in Puketui which was a bustling gold mining settlement around the turn of the century. By 1912 there was a settlement of 200 people but within 2 years the decline in gold production had deminished the settlement. Gold mining continued in the area until 1923 but on a small scale. There are several walks available to historic relics including the Broken Hills battery site, an underground jail & mine tunnels such as the 500m long Collins Drive (Golden Hills Mine area), you'll need a torch. The valley also offers camping, picknicking, swimming and rafting.
Location: Puketui Valley Road, Puketui Valley.
Hours: 9am-5pm.
Price: free.​
Photos courtesy of outdoorexplor.com
​WHAREKAWA WILDLIFE REFUGE - Tairua​
Wharekawa Wildlife Refuge is situated at the southern end of Opoutere Beach at the narrow entrance to the Wharekawa Harbour. The Wildlife Refuge is dominated by a sand spit which is the breeding ground for many endangered species of sea birds including the "Variable Oystercatcher" and "New Zealand Dotterel". The breeding season runs from November through to February and DOC Ranger's are on duty.
Location: Wharekawa Harbour, SH25, 8.5km (5.3mi) south of Tairua.
Price: free.
Hours: 9am -5pm daily. ​
Photo courtesy of Destination Coromandel
HERITAGE MUSEUM - Waihi

The Heritage Museum in Waihi offers an art gallery displaying the region’s gold-mining history. An interesting afternoons visit, here you'll learn about the hardships and happenings of the goldminers of the 19th century.
Location: 54 Kenny St, Waihi.
Hours: 10am-3pm Thu & Fri, 12pm-3pm Sat-Mon.
Price: Adult $5 / Child $3.
Photo courtesy of Heritage Museum
MT PAKU - Tairua
Mt Paku was a volcanic island around 7 million years ago but now forms the north head of Tairua's harbour. It was the home to Ngati Hei before being invaded by Ngati Maru in the 17th century. The ascent is a steep 15-minute walk to the summit from the top of Paku Drive but worth it offering amazing views over Tairua, Pauanui and the Alderman Islands. Along the way you'll find plaques detailing Tairua’s colonial history.
Location: Paku Dr, Tairua.
Hours: 24
Prices: free
Photo courtesy of Tourism_Coromandel
WENTWORTH FALLS - Whangamata
Wentworth Falls have a height of 50m and are fringed by regenerating bush.
The Falls offer a campground for you to stay overnight allowing you to enjoy the peace of this beautiful valley as well as indulge in the lovely swimming spots in the Tairua River along Wentworth Valley Road.
Location: drive south from Whangamata on SH 25 and turn right into Wentworth Valley Road.
Hours: 24
Price: free
Photo courtesy of travelbog
GILMORE LAKE - Waihi
​Gilmour Lake offers a picturesque lake for that picnic or sunny days stroll. Its advisable to bring some bread so you can feed the ducks and/or a blanket for a picnic and swimming gear for the swimming hole which is close by. From here there is access to the many Waihi walkways along the banks of the Ohinemuri River.

Location: Gilmour Street, Waihi East, Waihi.
Price: free
Hours: 24
Photo courtesy of planmyplay.co.nz
​PIT RIM WALKWAY - Waihi
​The Pit Rim Walkway begins near the Information Centre on Seddon Street and rises gently to the edge of the open pit giving you the first glimpse into the 250m chasm. The wide gravel path offers an easy grade slope around the western pit to the highest point. There are Interpretative signs giving interesting facts about The Mine. The Pit Rim Walkway offers spectacular views.
Location: off Seddon St, Waihi
Price: free
Hours: 24

Web: http://www.waihigold.co.nz/assets/updates/2004/newmont-update-09-06-04.pdf
Photo courtesy of TEARA
SEEDON STREET- Waihi
Seddon St is Waihi's main street and has interesting sculptures and information panels about Waihi’s golden past. From here you'll find the visitor centre and pit rim walkway. Opposite the visitor centre is the Cornish Pumphouse and from here you'll find the Pit Rim Walkway which has fascinating views into the Martha Mine.
​Location: Seddon St, Waihi.
Price: free​
Hours: 24
Photo courtesy of waterlily.co.nz
WHARE-TAEWA PA - Whitianga
​Joseph Banks and James Cook described the earthwork fortifications of this pa site when they visited Mercury Bay in 1769. Fortifications within the Pa were designed to prevent the attackers from engaging in hand-to-hand fighting but made them susceptible to spear thrusts or projectiles. The pa is located on Ngati Hei ancestral land.
Location: Head to Simpsons Beach, the Pa is located at the South end of the bay.
Price: free
Hours: 24
Helpful Links
Coromandel Peninsula Sights
Whitianga, Hahei, Thames, Tairua, Pauanui, Whangamata, Waihi.
David Wall