Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sights
Many historic sites are featured in the Historic Places Trust's
Coromandel Town
pamph-
let.
Coromandel Goldfield Centre & Stamper Battery
( 021 0232 8262;
www.coromandelstamperbattery.weebly.com
;
360 Buffalo Rd; adult/child $10/5; 10am-4pm,
tours hourly 10am-3pm)
The rock-crushing machine clatters into life during the informative
tours of this 1899 plant. You can also try panning for gold ($5). Outside of tours stop to
see NZ's largest working waterwheel.
HISTORIC BUILDING
Coromandel Mining & Historic Museum
(841 Rings Rd; adult/child $5/free; 10am-4pm daily mid-Dec-Jan, to 1pm Sat & Sun Feb-mid-Dec)
Small mu-
seum with glimpses of pioneer life.
MUSEUM
Activities
Driving Creek Railway & Potteries
NARROW-GAUGE RAILWAY
(
07-866 8703;
www.drivingcreekrailway.co.nz
;
380 Driving Creek Rd; adult/child $25/10;
10.15am & 2pm)
A lifelong labour of love for its conservationist owner, this unique train runs up steep
grades, across four trestle bridges, along two spirals and a double switchback, and through
two tunnels, finishing at the 'Eye-full Tower'. The hour-long trip passes artworks and re-
generating native forest - more than 17,000 natives have been planted, including 9000
kauri. It's worth lingering for the video about the extraordinary guy behind it all, well-
known potter Barry Brickell. Booking ahead is recommended in summer.
Coromandel Kayak Adventures
( 07-866 7466;
www.kayakadventures.co.nz
)
Paddle-powered tours including half-day ecotours
(from $150) and fishing trips (half-/full day $200/340).
KAYAKING
Mussel Barge Snapper Safaris
( 07-866 7667;
www.musselbargesafaris.co.nz
;
adult/child $50/25)
Fishing trips with a local flavour and
lots of laughs.
FISHING
