| |
New Zealand > Waikato
> Coromandel > Coromandel Township
By Jessica Lloyd
The ‘big smoke’ of the Peninsula
Coromandel Township is the main centre along the Hauraki Gulf side of the
Peninsula, with around 1500 permanent residents. Fulfilling the criteria of
being labelled a ‘hub’, by having more than one pub to choose from, it is easily
one of the most popular places to live and visit – hence the “big smoke” title,
which could in fact be construed in a couple of ways. The Coromandel Peninsula
is of course home of some of New Zealand’s highest quality marijuana.
It is no coincidence that many of the people who choose to make this beautiful
and special place home are colourful organic hippies of the highest order.
People love this place because they can express themselves and within reason, do
as they please. The area is very much ‘owned’ by the people who live here, and
thoroughly enjoyed by the tens of thousands of people who visit every year. The
tranquillity it provides suits many people, and having a wild stomping ground
for a backyard has got to be fun.
Nightlife, Food, and Drink
Consider yourself lucky if you get to eat in Coromandel Township. The seafood is
as fresh as if you plucked it out of the ocean yourself, and what a beautiful
ocean it is. Mussel farming started in the Coromandel in 1980, and green-lipped
mussels from the area are now world famous. Oysters have been growing here for
about 20 years, with 11 oyster farms in Coromandel waters. The Coromandel
Smoking Company, which you can’t miss when entering Coromandel from the Thames
side, specialises in naturally wood-smoked seafood of all kinds and is a great
place to stop even if you’re just passing through.
There are two pubs, The Admiral’s Arms Hotel and the Coromandel Hotel (a.k.a.
the Top Pub). Both have restaurants/bistros and can get a bit wild and hairy at
times. Overall, pleasant enough places to share a drink and a laugh with real
live yokels.
The Pepper Tree is Coromandels most upmarket restaurant and bar, and it reaches
high-street standards. It has an excellent reputation and is definitely on the
repeat-visit list. The garden area is just off the street where you can still
feel the ambience of the town, but relax and watch the non-action with a cold
drink and gourmet food. There are 3 takeaway shops, and 2 cafes. Take your pick
for breakfast, lunch or dinner – they are all good for their respective
promises.
Need to find some more peace and quiet?
If you fancy a peaceful walk on the enlightened side, Coromandel has more than
its fair share of places to do just that. There are 3 traditional churches (an
Anglican, a Catholic and an Elim), a full sized pyramid at the Havalona Trust
(used for meditation, yoga, weddings, etc.), 2 retreats, a Masonic Lodge, and a
Buddhist centre a bit further up in Colville.
Interesting Things to Do and See
The Celtic Fair
Every year on January 2, the Celtic Fair is held at the Coromandel Area School.
This fair takes the normally reasonably sedate town and fills it with cars and
people from all over yonder. Almost everyone on holiday stops in to have a look,
as it provides a day of entertainment, arts and crafts, and food and drink. It
is very much a family-friendly affair. 11am – 3pm.
Driving Creek Railway
This railway was made as a pet project for potter Barry Brickell, who eventually
realised he needed to find a way to support his art, so commercialised it. His
fascination with trains meant he had the means to make some extra cash, and do
what he really loves –creating works of pottery art. The railway zigzags up
through beautiful bush and past works of art to the top of a hill where you find
the Eyefull tower, which lives up to its name. The station is also a pittstop
for artwork, and Barry is certainly a master of his craft – definitely worth a
look if you are into arty stuff. Trains run daily from 10am – 2pm, up Driving
Creek which is 3km from Coromandel Township.
Waiau Waterworks
Love gadgets? This water park has lots of weird and wonderfully geeky gadgets
all powered by water. This park also has pottery and artwork for sale.
History
Local Maori originally called the town Waiou, but it was renamed Coromandel
after a kauri-collecting ship named the HMSS Coromandel landed there in 1820.
The first contact with Europeans was in 1789, when the first ship arrived to
collect kauri spars for the Navy. Firstly, the land was used for its timber, and
hence proceeded the slow but efficient raping of the kauri forests. There are
now very few kauri left.
Gold was discovered in 1852, and the earth was dug upon with the ferocity always
reserved for the desperate search of buried treasure. Luckily the land did not
suffer the same fate as the kauri trees. In the 1870’s, Coromandel boomed, with
the opening of a bank, church, courthouse and school. People started to build
homes, and in 1989 a hospital was built. After WWI, the gold boom was over and
the area was used for agricultural purposes. There are many original buildings
still standing (about 20) though most of the business district was destroyed in
a fire in 1895.
Need more?
A battery stamper, mini putt, sailing, winery, cruises, massages, yoga,
tramping, camping, fishing and whatever else you can think of is here. Well,
maybe not everything but it comes close. For more information on this great
little town and its varied and unique attractions, see www.coromandeltown.co.nz
Coromandel is a place with a lot to offer residents and visitors alike. There is
a real sense of community, which makes this town a true New Zealand treasure.
|
|
|
|
