Tairua, Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand
photo by Sandy Austin

Tairua is a small coastal town situated on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula in the North Island of New Zealand. It is a popular destination for summer holidays and a coffee stop for tourists on the Coromandel tourist circuit.

Getting there

  • Drive, State Highway 25 passes through the town centre. The town is situated about 40km south of Whitianga and about 36km north of Whangamata.

  • Ferry, catch the short ferry ride from Pauanui across the Tairua Harbour.

  • Sail, Tairua is a safe harbour and a good place for stopover.

See

The surrounding areas are covered in native bush and pine forests, and native bird life is plentiful. Estuaries and rivers are great fun to navigate on kayak.

Things to do

  • Ocean Beach, Ocean Beach Rd. Great for surfing and soaking up the sun.

  • Tairua Harbour, Manaia Rd. Children can swim safely in the warm water of the sheltered harbour beaches.

  • Paku, Tirinui Cres. Walk to the summit of this volcanic peak which was once a maori pa site for an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean, Tairua Harbour and the Coromandel Ranges.

  • Tairua River, Tairua Rd. Excellent for kayaking and other water sports.

  • Coromandel Forest Park, Kopu Hikuai Rd. Loads of areas for swimming, walks and trailbike riding in the area.

  • Fishing.

    • Tairua Dive & Fishinn, The Esplanade, Paku Boat Ramp, 64 7 864-8054, . Charter, rental, service of boats along with all kinds of fishing equipment.

    • Delphinus Divers, 47A Manaia Road, 64 7 864 7675, .

  • Diving.

    • Tairua Dive & Fishinn, The Esplanade, Paku Boat Ramp, 64 7 864-8054, . Equipment service, sale and rental available as well as dive courses.

    • Delphinus Divers, 47A Manaia Road, 64 7 864 7675, .

  • Kayaking.

    • Tairua Dive & Fishinn, The Esplanade, Paku Boat Ramp, 64 7 864-8054, . Offerring guided trips for up to 2 hours. Trips require a minimum of 4 people. NZ$20 for 1 hour, NZ$40 for 2 hours, per person. Kayak sales and rental also available.

Eat

The harbour and ocean provide an abundance of fresh seafood such as flounder, pipis, cockles, crayfish, scallops and snapper.

  • Out of the Blue Cafe, 227 Main Road, 64 7 864 8987. Open 7 days from 8am.

Sleep

  • Amaroo Motel, 156 Main Road, 64 7 864 8520, 0800 426 276, . Best Western run with 6 non-smoking rooms. From NZ$85.

  • Blue Water Motel, 213 Main Rd, 64 7 864 8537, fax 64 7 864 8537, . NZ$85-NZ$175 per night based on double occupancy - extra fee for extra occupants.

  • Colonial Homestay, 202 Paku Drive, 64 7 864 7743, fax 64 7 864 7743, . NZ$145-NZ$160 per night depending on season.

  • Heron Heights, 47 Main Road, 64 7 864 7604, mobile 027 660 9746, . NZ$100-NZ$165 per night depending on season and number of occupants.

  • Pacific Harbour Lodge, 64 7 864 8581, fax 64 7 864 8858, . NZ$100-NZ$180 per night depending on season and number of occupants.

  • On the Edge Bed and Breakfast, 219 Paku Drive, 64 7 8648285, fax 64 7 8648232, . NZ$100-NZ$140 per night.

  • Killyrudden Bed and Breakfast, 16 Mothuhoa Rd, 64 7 864 9061, fax 64 7 864 9062, mobile 64 0274 967 647, . Each room has a deck also laundry service and a pre-dinner drink are included. NZ$130-NZ$180.

  • Saltwater Lodge, 4 Tui Terrace, 64 7 864 9592, fax 64 9 278 9322, mobile 021 959 911, .

  • The Flying Dutchman, 88 Main Road North, 64 7 864-8448. A hostel.

Get out

  • Take the ferry to Pauanui, just across the harbour or head north to Whitianga or west to Thames.

Contact & location

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The photos displayed on this page are the property of one of the following authors:

Sandy Austin

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This travel guide also includes text from Wikitravel articles, all available at WikitravelView full credits

D. Guillaime, Stacy Hall and Ian Kirk, Jonboy

This travel guide also includes text from Wikipedia articles, all available at WikipediaView full credits

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