JAPANESE HOT TUB
Relax under the stars in your own private hot tub. Able to seat 4 people, this is a lovely way to end your day.
(at Tokatea and Kaipawa Villas)

HEAR THE TUI!
Enjoy the beautifully strange bird songs of Aotearoa (New Zealand) while with us at your home away from home - like this Tui at Driving Creek Villas.
play Tui_128.mp3 - 361Kb

EXPLORE THE GARDENS AND THE STREAM
You don´t have to go far to enjoy the natural beauty of Coromandel - simply step outside your door and it´s all there, right here at Driving Creek Villas. Read a book in the garden or sit by the stream and listen to all the beautiful sounds, or simply cool your feet in the gentle water.

DRIVING CREEK RAILWAYS
Come for a 1 hour train ride on New Zealand's only narrow gauge mountain railway, featuring stunning panoramic views and unique art features, in a replanted native Kauri forest.
(0.5 km from Driving Creek Villas) view their website

DRIVING CREEK CAFE
Lovely cafe that reflects the artisan nature of this town. Beautiful organic and vegetarian food, award winning locally roasted coffee, internet access. All in a mud brick building with delightful covered veranda and lovely gardens including outdoor children's play area. Warm and welcoming. Several artists' studios within walking distance. Take your time when going here, it's worth it.
(1 km from Driving Creek Villas)

GOLD STAMPER BATTERY
Step back in time and view this fully operational, historic gold processing plant driven by New Zealand´s largest working water wheel. Watch them process the precious metal that made Coromandel Township famous as the site of New Zealand's first gold rush!
(1km from Driving Creek Villas)

WAITATI GARDENS
Waitati Gardens right next door to the stamper battery was recently awarded NZ "Garden of Distinction". A professional florist's garden containing many rare and unusual plants.
(1 km from Driving Creek Villas)

ARTS AND CRAFTS
Coromandel is renowned internationally for its diversity of artists and craftspeople. There are two principle outlets in Coromandel township for the goods that are produced in the area. The Source is a co-op of local artists and is renowned for its high quaility wares. Weta Design Store offers arts and crafts from both Coromandel and further afield, here the diversity of products is simply quite remarkable.

ARTISTS STUDIOS
It is also possible to visit some artists in their studios and watch them at work, for further information please email info@drivingcreekvillas.com

FRIDAY LOCAL MARKET
Every Friday morning in the centre of town - mingle with the locals while buying fresh local produce, delicious home made foods and delicacies to take home or to have straight away. This is Coromandel's little market. Grow local, buy local, enjoy local!
(3km form Driving Creek Villas)

THE WATERWORKS
A highly entertaining family theme park where whimsical wonders are driven by the power of water - fun for children, more fun for adults - it brought out the kid in me! On the legendary 309 Road.
(10 km from Driving Creek Villas)

KAURI WALK
Well formed easy walk right along the coast and through coastal native forest with beautiful young stand of Kauri trees and one impressive mature one. From Long Bay Motor Camp. 1 hr round trip.
(4 km from Driving Creek Villas)

KAURI BLOCK WALK
Relatively new well formed DOC track up in the hills above town in the west, this is an easy 1 hr walk one way. Has a fantastic vantage point on an old pa site with 360 degree views. You are able to walk it as a loop by returning past the old wharf along Long Bay Road.
(3 km form Driving Creek Villas)

SUCCESS TRACK
Just behind the old Coromandel Hospital is the start of the old Success Mine track which takes you up into the hills behind town and onto the main range where it links with the Kaipawa Trig Track. Either go up and come back (approx. 2.5 hrs) or connect with the trig track and come out at Tokatea/Kennedy Bay Road summit. Return down the gravel road and have lunch and/or a coffee at Driving Creek Cafe, which is 5 min from Driving Creek Villas.

KAIPAWA TRIG TRACK
Links Kennedy Bay Road and Whangapoua Road (SH25) summits via the main ridge behind Coromandel Town. While mostly in the bush you get some very rewarding views both East and West. This tramping track requires a moderate level of fitness. Approx. 3hrs. Transport is advisable, unless you walk it as a loop in conjunction with the Success Track (above)

COROMANDEL COASTAL WALKWAY
Stony Bay/Fletcher Bay
The Coromandel Coastal Walkway is a 7km tramping track, that takes 3-4 hours, through farm land/native bush with stunning coastal scenery that links Fletcher Bay to Stony Bay. (60 minutes North from Driving Creek Villas). Or do it as an all day tour provided by Strongman Coachlines (0800 668 175) which allows you to be dropped at Fletchers Bay and met at Stony Bay (including cup of tea and biscuit), then return to Coromandel. Great commentary.

CASTLE ROCK
Castle rock is the core of an old volcano that rises above the bush on the backbone of the peninsula. Some 2 hours return the track becomes steep approaching the summit. Found on forestry road 54 off the 309 Road 10 km south.
(10 km from Driving Creek Villas)

KAURI GROVE
A further 2 km along the 309 road is a truly magnificent stand of kauri trees protected since the turn of the first century. This is a well formed track taking some 15 minutes to walk.
(12 km from Driving Creek Villas)

The Hauraki Gulf is the largest snapper spawning grounds in New Zealand and is renowned for its excellent fishing.

PAPA AROHA ISLAND ADVENTURES
Papa Aroha Island Adventures provide a range of sea related services including fishing charters, Eco/Discovery tours, water taxis and hire boats and kayaks.
(6 km from Driving Creek Villas)

THE MAD FISHERMAN
Contact Rhys and Julie on 07 866 8103.
(3 km from Driving Creek Villas)

KAYAK (FISHING) ADVENTURES and ECO KAYAK TOURS
Your guide Rob Fort is a professional Kayak Fishing expert who offers a wide range of products and services through his Coromandel based business. His enthusiasm for kayaking is reflected through the various enterprises he undertakes and is actively involved in kayak education and product development.

Writer for NZ Fishing Coast to Coast magazine and has also appeared on the fishing programe Gateway Outdoors show in 2007. Rob frequently explores, tours, fishes and freedives/spearfishes on and in the ocean from kayaks.

Rob also offers Eco Kayak Tours as a non-fishing option. Enjoy paddling in a two person sit-on-top touring kayak while taking in the truly magnificent scenery that this area has to offer. Explore some of the many untouched remote locations that include: beaches, caves, off-shore islands, abundant birdlife and hidden coastline only accessible by sea.

Contact Rob Ford on 07 866 7466 or visit the website www.kayakadventures.co.nz
(4 km from Driving Creek Villas)

WAIAKAWAU HORSE TRECKS
Horse treks are taken from Waikawau Beach ranging from 1 hour to 2.5 hours in length. The rides are very popular with inexperienced and experienced riders and offer a unique way to explore the wilderness of the upper Peninsula. Nine horses are available and rides include traveling along the beach and the Department of Conservation Farm, offering fantastic views of Moehau Mountain and Great Barrier Island. Ph: 07 8666 956.
(35 minutes from Driving Creek Villas)

NEW CHUMS AND WHANGAPOUA BEACHES
A twenty minute drive from Coromandel town on highway 25 is Whangapoua Beach, from here you can walk 20 minutes from the northern end of the bay around the rocks to New Chums an untouched pacific coast beach of unparalleled beauty (as featured in main image at the top of this page).
(30 minutes drive from Driving Creek Villas)

WAIKAWAU
Thirty five minutes north of Coromandel town is Waikawau bay, which includes a pristine untouched pacific beach renowned for its surf and birdlife.
(30 minutes drive from Driving Creek Villas)

HOT WATER BEACH
One hour either side of low tide, hot pools can be dug out of the sand on this Pacific coast beach.
(70 minutes drive from Driving Creek Villas)

CATHEDRAL COVE
Cathedral Cove is a must-visit part of a holiday in Coromandel. Renowned for its beauty, it is a unique feature of this beautiful peninsula. The surrounding 9 square km waters form the Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve, New Zealand´s sixth marine reserve, providing an unparalleled opportunity to enjoy an unspoiled marine environment.
(70 minutes drive from Driving Creek Villas)

At Cape Colville and the Islands of Mercury Bay are some of New Zealands best Dive spots.

COROMANDEL FISH AND DIVE
A great day out. Contact 07 866 8797 or 027 228 8399
(5 minutes from Driving Creek Villas)

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