Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
night). The peninsula, however, takes its name from the HMS
Coromandel,
which visited in
1820, bringing with it the missionary Samuel Marsden.
Full-scale kauri logging began in the mid-1850s, and by the 1880s there were timber
millers within the Kauaeranga Valley. It was the gold rush at Thames that gave impetus to
the local logging efforts, because of the sudden demand for building materials in the
boomtowns.
Kauri logging ended in 1928, and the state forest was declared in 1938, along with a pro-
gram to re-establish the native bush.
Environment
Before it was logged, the Coromandel Peninsula had a rich variety of forest flora, which was
unmatched by any other area of comparable size in the country. Now, much of the park is
busy regenerating native bush, including kauri and rata - with the latter noted for its brilliant
orange-red flowers. The Kauaeranga Valley and its surrounding ridges are covered with
podocarps and hardwoods, a few scattered pockets of kauri, and areas of bracken, fern and
scrub. The predominant species around here are rimu and tawa, but you can also find miro,
matai and kahikatea.
The peninsula's wildlife consists of many of the usual native NZ birds - tui, bellbirds,
kiwi, kereru (NZ pigeon) and fantails - and introduced mammals, such as pigs, possums,
goats, cats and mustelids (stoats, ferrets and weasels).
Various kinds of jaspers, petrified wood, rhodonite and agate are found in or near most
streams, which makes this place an excellent source of rare rocks and gemstones. (Permits
are not required for mineral collecting, but interested rock-hounds should make themselves
aware of where the activity is allowed. No more than 2kg of rock can be removed per per-
son, per day.)
8
Planning
WHEN TO TRAMP
The forest park is only a two-hour drive from Auckland, so it can be busy much of summer.
On weekends, Pinnacles Hut may be full. On weekdays from October to December and
February to April, school and scout groups frequent the area. If possible, go elsewhere dur-
ing public holidays, or book a space in the hut or a campsite.
MAPS & BROCHURES
