A gentle walking and gourmet three-day escape to the Coromandel.
A taste of the flavours and trails from the coast
Overview: 3 days, 15km
Welcome to our little corner of paradise. If you only have three days to spare, spend it walking and tasting with us. We've curated an escape with three beautiful guided day walks and some delicious local artisan tasting experiences. Perfect if you like small group tours and good company.
Visit one of the finest remaining Kauri groves in a diverse ecological area. Walk along pristine rolling coastlines and take in the endless views. Visit a working artisan salt farm and have your lunch cooked for you on the beach. Sample the best gin on the planet at our boutique distillery. Take in panoramic coastal scenery on a private peninsula walk. Enjoy freshly prepared evening meals at the end of your day's exploration.
Stay two nights at our premium lodge with coastal views - exclusively for our group.
Small groups, maximum of 8. Carrying a small daypack only.
Notes:
- A minimum of 4 people are required for guaranteed departure of this tour.
- Rates pp are double or twin share.
Hiking highlights
Panoramic coastal and mountain range views on a private peninsula farm walk.
Visit one of the finest remaining Kauri groves in a diverse ecological area.
Glistening bay lookout walk and a regenerating coastal forest loop part of a kiwi conservation project.
Pristine New Zealand native bush away from the crowds.
Departures
If your preferred travel dates don't match our tour dates, get in touch and we will see what we can do - hello@natureandnosh.co.nz
Tasting highlights
Hand-harvested artisan salt farm experience
Taste the world's best gin at our local distillery
Freshly prepared evening meals with locally-sourced ingredients
- Jack Kerouac
Itinerary
Itinerary
Day One: Sunday
5km (3 miles) / 2.5 hours hiking (easy grade)
We will collect you from Auckland before heading to the west side of the Coromandel Peninsula. Our first walk is a gentle one, a stunning rainforest trail leads us to the best remaining Kauri grove on the peninsula in a lush and diverse ecological area. A picnic lunch in nature to soak up the serenity before the walk out. From here, we head north on one of the most scenic coastal drives in the country to the warm and welcoming Buffalo Lodge in Coromandel Town where we will be based both nights. Relax with a drink in hand and some nibbles and get to know the group and your wonderful guide. Dinner is served at the lodge and is accompanied by New Zealand wine.
Day Two: Monday
3km (1.8 miles) / 2 hours hiking (easy grade)
Today is a chance to visit the east side of the peninsula, known for its white sandy beaches. Our walk today is a gentle loop track through regenerating native bush where the local conservation group is working hard to boost kiwi numbers. There are a number of old mining tunnels and several small stream crossings for interest. A short drive up the road to Otama and Opito Bay where we meet the owners of gourmet award-winning Opito salt! Our group is treated to a tour of the salt farm and a sit down tasting before we take you to the beach to cook up lunch with a view! There is an optional short walk along the beach and up to a lookout point for those who would like to get moving after lunch, and plenty of time for a swim in the ocean before we return to Buffalo Lodge for a leisurely late afternoon.
Day Three: Tuesday
7km (4.3 miles) / 3 - 4 hours hiking (easy to moderate grade)
This morning we pack up, say goodbye to Buffalo Lodge and a short drive leads us south to the Te Kouma peninsula, where we begin our walk on the James' family farm. A short climb is rewarded by panoramic views of the ranges, gulf and two harbours. Our destination is the private sandy bay where we have morning tea and if you fancy, a beautiful refreshing swim. Returning along the same track, the views are just as beautiful from different angles. This is one walk you will struggle to put your camera away on! A picnic lunch at the end of our walk before heading back down to the coast where we are treated to sampling the best gin in the world - Awildian gin. Not a bad way to round off a trip. We aim to arrive back in Auckland before 5pm.
Note: This itinerary should be seen as a guide only and is subject to change at any time due to elements outside our control. We will always endeavour to stick as closely to this itinerary as possible to deliver the best experience to you. The above doesn't detail all 'Nosh' experiences in full as we like to keep some things a surprise!
Inclusions
Return shuttle transfers from Auckland.
Comfortable and spacious transport with air conditioning.
Professional local guide with local knowledge and stories leading the way.
Premium lodge with ensuite rooms
ALL meals. Cooked and continental breakfast options, nutritious packed lunches, two and three-course evening meals, chef prepared (Day 1 - lunch + dinner, Day 2 - breakfast, lunch, dinner, Day 3 - breakfast + lunch).
A selection of New Zealand wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages served with evening meals.
Delicious food experiences unique to Nature and Nosh Tours (our secret ingredient!).
Gourmet salt farm tour
Gin distillery talk and tasting
First aid kits, safety equipment and all your fresh New Zealand drinking water.
What's not included
Airfares.
Personal hiking gear such as boots, clothing, poles and day packs. We do have some day packs and walking poles available to borrow.
Travel insurance. We recommend all of our tour guests take out travel insurance.
Single supplement fee NZ $500 for single travellers wanting their own room.
Grading
Grade
This tour is graded easy for hiking
Day one - 2.5 hour walk
Day two - 1 -2 hours walking
Day three - 3 - 4 hours walking
Carrying a small day backpack for your personal gear such as water, lunch and
a rain jacket.
Track conditions
Track surfaces on our Coastal Charm Taster tour vary, but most are on well maintained paths, with a couple on more rugged terrain where you will be walking over tree roots, mud and rocks. You will get the most out of this tour if you have a reasonable level of fitness, although no hiking experience is necessary. Our guides ensure that the pace is dictated by the group and allow plenty of time for short breaks for water, refreshments, photos and interesting stories on the way. For us, it's about the journey, not the destination.
Our Nature
We've carefully hand selected our tracks throughout the Coromandel for their beauty, diversity of terrain and landscapes, flora, special features and conservation values. The day walks on this tour are designed to be mostly easy walking, mixed between flat and rolling terrain - however, some farm walking is included which means parts of our walks are uneven under foot. Our tracks are hidden gems. You'll usually pass some locals but mostly you're free from the crowds to enjoy our natural spaces with our group.
Our Nosh
As well as our foodie tasting experiences, you will enjoy fresh evening meals in the lodge prepared by our wonderful caterers - two and three courses featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients and are served with a selection of New Zealand wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages. Lunches are freshly packed for you in the mornings and we have plenty of snacks for our adventures. Breakfasts are an option of cooked or continental to fuel you properly for your day of hiking.
Our Accomodation
Buffalo lodge is a warm and welcoming retreat tucked away on two acres of regenerating native bush. Perched on a hillside overlooking the Hauraki Gulf, this spot really lets you take in the wonders of Coromandel. The lodge will be solely for our Nature & Nosh groups with four guest suites and shared spaces like the sundeck, library, lounge, and dining hall. Owner and host Abby is on hand to meet and greet and your Nature & Nosh guide stays onsite as well.
Reviews
The scenery and walking was fantastic, the organisation and accomodation perfect and the food fabulous. Our guide Robyn could not have been more helpful. We can highly recommend this trip!
Lynne, Sydney
Choosing the 3 day tour with Kim as a guide was the best choice I could have made. Perfect organisation, very good accommodation, very, very nice food. Absolutely recommend.
Silvia, Germany
We will both remember this tour for a long time (and we definitely have a whole lot of photos to commemorate the experience!). Recommended to foodies, hikers, lovers of nature, or anyone wanting to try something new!
Krystal, New Zealand
Photos
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