Imagine the thrill of scaling a 7-million-year-old volcanic peak and soaking in the picturesque panoramic views of the Coromandel Peninsula. On Day 7 of our New Zealand North Island Road Trip, we explored the charming coastal town of Tairua and other highlights in the peninsula, and wrapped up the day with a scenic drive to Auckland.


We arrived in Tairua late in the evening, having booked an accommodation perfectly positioned to catch the sunset over the western sky. Unfortunately, our hopes were dashed by a cloudy grey sky. But the serene beauty of the place more than made up for it.

Our stay at Tairua was the highlight of all the accommodations. As soon as we arrived in this idyllic coastal town, I regretted booking just one night here. The place was right by the waterfront, at the foot of Mount Paku.
The next day my friend and I woke up early to hike Mount Paku. We hoped to complete the hike and return before checkout time.

Our adventurous climb started early morning. The trail wasn’t always clear-cut in the beginning, but that just added to the fun. We were finally able to locate some stairs after a jogger helped us out.


We climbed steep staircases and scrambled over rocks – the promise of 360 degrees view of Tairua kept us going. It took us about 30 minutes to reach the summit as paused to enjoy the scenic views and capture the beauty through our cameras.

The final stretch of the climb turned into a challenging rock climb that tested my stamina and endurance. To top it off, I was overtaken by two elderly women casually enjoying their morning walk with their dogs!
Yes, the view was totally worth the hike. The 360-degree panorama was absolutely mind-blowing. The crystal-clear waters of the Pacific Ocean met the serene harbor, and the tiny houses scattered across the coast looked like a painting. It was the perfect way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. To pause the crazy busy routine and rest, breathe in the lap of nature.

After the hike, we ate a scrumptious breakfast at Cafe Pepe – English breakfast and pancakes, and guzzled it down with hot chocolate and huge cup of coffee.

Our plan for the day was to explore Coromandel coast before driving to Auckland – marking the end of my relaxing and beautiful New Zealand road trip.

Related Post: Day 1 Stunning Whanghaparaoa Peninsula
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Love this place, Raj. I don’t know when, but I’m definitely visiting New Zealand once.
Beautiful place. What a lovely hike.