Hot Water Beach & Cathedral Cove

The Coromandel's east coast is the classic first camper trip from Auckland. At Hot Water Beach you can dig a natural spa in the sand around low tide, and a short drive north gets you to the walk out to Cathedral Cove's famous rock arch.

Campgrounds cluster near the beaches here and fill fast over summer and long weekends, so book ahead. Warm swimming, pōhutukawa in bloom and easy coastal walks make it an easy few days.

Hot Water Beach only works two hours either side of low tide, so build your day around the tide table rather than the other way round. Bring a spade, or hire one from the shop by the car park. Cathedral Cove is a forty-five minute walk from the car park above Hahei, and access has been affected by slips in recent years — check the current status before you commit the afternoon.