Free (and Cheap) Activities on the Coromandel Peninsula
No Bots, Just Boots on the Ground
We know that any ways to cut costs while travelling to New Zealand are welcome. Luckily, the Coromandel Peninsula is full of natural and historical attractions that are either free or have a cheap admission fee.
From picture-perfect waterfalls to breathtaking beaches, saying there is enough to see is an understatement.
In between, check out historic mining tunnels, visit a New Zealand farm and more, all for an irresistibly affordable fee.
We go through some of the highlights in this list of free and cheap things to do in the Coromandel!
For more budget tips, check out The Budget & Backpacking Guide to the Coromandel.
Side note: Our insights come from experienced travel writers who have tried these experiences. Scroll to the bottom of the page to learn more about us.
Table of Contents
1. Check Out Cathedral Cove – FREE/CHEAP
We know it’s on your bucket list anyway, so let’s get started with Cathedral Cove and how to visit it for free.
The stunning white cliffs and coastal arches are a picture-perfect reason to take a look, which is accessible on a free walk at the northern end of Hahei Beach.
Starting from the end of Grange Road (free drop-offs, but no parking) or Cathedral Cove Adventures on Lees Road (paid parking), the walk is an easy 1 hr 30 mins return walk to Cathedral Cove.
Location: Drop-off – Grange Road, Hahei. Paid parking – Cathedral Cove Adventures, 150 Lees Road, Hahei.
© NZPocketGuide.com2. Visit Waiau Falls and the Kauri Grove – FREE
Moving onto some free things to do in the Coromandel that you might not have heard of, we recommend discovering some of the Coromandel’s amazing kauri forests.
There are a few excellent sights along the 309 Road between Coromandel Town and Whitianga, Waiau Falls and the Kauri Grove Lookout Walk.
7 km (4 mi) along the 309 Road from Coromandel Town is a super short walk to the picturesque swimming hole, Waiau Falls.
A further 1 km (0.6 mi) up the road is the Kauri Grove Lookout Walk, a 30-minute return stroll to a magnificent stand of mature kauri trees.
Location: The 309 Road between Coromandel Town and Whitianga.
© NZPocketGuide.com3. See the Birds at the Pukorokoro Miranda Shorebird Centre – FREE/CHEAP
On your way to the Coromandel, either on your way in or out from Auckland, don’t miss the Pukorokoro Miranda Shorebird Centre.
At the Shorebird Centre, learn about the rare wading and shorebirds that live here.
Then head to the Robert Finlay Reserve to see the birds for yourself, particularly thousands of wrybill which are unique to New Zealand.
Entry to the Shorebird Centre and Reserve is free but a donation is welcome to fund conservation efforts.
Location: 283 East Coast Road, Miranda.
© NZPocketGuide.com4. Dig Your Own Hot Pool at Hot Water Beach – FREE/CHEAP
Also on your must-do list for the Coromandel has to be Hot Water Beach.
While it’s free to visit the beach and dig your own hot pool in the sand at low tide, we recommend doing this activity with a spade.
And while most of us don’t travel with a spade, you’ll need to hire one from either the local store or the Hot Water Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park, costing around NZ$5.
Find the digging spot in front of the rocky outcrop on the beach, only accessible at low tide.
Location: There are two car parks; the main car park is along Pye Place, just south of Hahei.
Our favourite, however, is the car park on Hot Water Beach Road (opposite Hot Water Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park), which gives you access to the Pa Walkway, a pleasant little bushwalk and glowworm territory after dark. It takes you almost directly to the hot pool digging site.
5. Visit the Mercury Bay Museum – CHEAP
Don’t worry; you can still get your fix of small-town New Zealand museums in the Coromandel!
The Mercury Bay Museum can be found in Whitianga, where you can learn about the early Māori navigator, Kupe, see Māori artefacts, learn about kauri timber and gum and much more.
Admission is only around NZ$13 for adults and free for children.
Location: 11a The Esplanade, Whitianga.
© NZPocketGuide.com6. Feed the Animals at Whiti Farm Park – CHEAP
Families and animal lovers alike love spending a couple of hours at the Whiti Farm Park in Whitianga.
Meet and hand-feed around 40 different species of farm animals, enjoy a short bushwalk, and check out the farm machinery, train, fire engine and more.
Admission is only around NZ$10 for both adults and children. Plus, bring an extra couple of dollars for bags of animal feed.
See more activities like this in the 10 Things to Do in the Coromandel with Kids.
Location: 2414 Tairua Whitianga Road, approximately a 10-minute drive south of Whitianga.
© NZPocketGuide.com7. Delve Underground at the Thames Goldmine Experience – CHEAP
The Coromandel has a rich gold mining history, and you’ll have many opportunities to see the evidence – especially in the Karangahake Gorge and its walks, which is a bonus-free thing to do in the Coromandel.
But we digress; the Thames Goldmine Experience is a fun, educational, and cheap activity that costs only around NZ$25 per adult and NZ$5 for kids to tour an underground mine. You can also try your luck at gold panning!
Location: Corner of Moanataiari Road and State Highway 25, Thames.
© NZPocketGuide.com8. Camp, See a Waterfall and Some Mine Shafts in the Wentworth Valley – FREE
While the town of Whangamata might be more famous for its sweeping 4,000 m (13,000 ft) long beach, a real hidden gem of the area is the Wentworth Valley.
The 2 hrs 30 mins return Wentworth Falls Track takes you to a fantastic view of the falls and its two tiers of drops, each about 20 m (70 ft) high.
There’s also the Mines Walk, a 30-minute one-way walk through native forest to see two mine shafts.
A Department of Conservation campsite is also in the vicinity, should you want to stay longer.
Check out more walks in the 15 Awesome Hikes in The Coromandel.
Location: Wentworth Valley Road, Whangamata.
© NZPocketGuide.com9. Hike to the Top of the Pinnacles – FREE/CHEAP
The Kauaeranga Kauri Trail, also known as the Pinnacles Walk, is the most popular day/overnight walk in the area. It offers stunning views of the whole Coromandel Peninsula, as well as some dramatic views of – you guessed it – some pinnacles.
Note that the track can be done in one day (free) but is best enjoyed in two (there’s a cheap fee to stay in the hut).
The Pinnacles Hut is very well maintained by the Department of Conservation and offers a stunning sunrise view.
For more walks, see 15 Awesome Hikes in The Coromandel.
Location: Kauaeranga Valley Road, approximately 21.5km (13 miles) from Thames.
© Unsplash10. Do Some Beach-Hopping – FREE
Finally, a must when road-tripping around the Coromandel is some beach-hopping.
There is no lack of beaches in the Coromandel so just take your pick from the 10 Coromandel Beaches You Can’t Miss.
New Chum Beach is an adventure to get to and is arguably one of the most picturesque beaches in the Coromandel. Pauanui Beach is a local favourite with a fantastic lookout point from the Pauanui Trig Track. And, Whangamata Beach is a good option for hiring kayaks, surfboards and SUP boards.
Location: See the link above for beach recommendations and their locations.
© NZPocketGuide.comMore About the Coromandel on a Budget
That’s it for our guide to cheap and free things to do in the Coromandel; for more information about budget travel in this stunning region, check out the following articles:
- 5 Best Backpacker Hostels in The Coromandel
- 10 Best Budget Accommodations in the Coromandel
- Coromandel – Guide for Backpackers
Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Complete Travel Guide to the Coromandel.
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
- Adventure Mark (Health and Safety Audit - Updated [2025])
- Work Safe NZ (Adventure Activities Guidelines - Updated [2025])
- Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2025])
- AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2025])
- NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2025])
- Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
- TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2025])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2025])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2025])
Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
