This walk is nothing short of spectacular. The Coromandel Coastal Walkway has been crowned as one of the best day hikes in New Zealand and is a must-do if you’re heading to the top of the Coromandel Peninsula (or willing to travel for breathtaking coastal views. Hi, me too!)

The track runs between Fletcher Bay and Stony Bay, right at the tip of the Coromandel Peninsula. You can start at either end, but I recommend beginning at Fletcher Bay. The walk feels a little bit friendlier from this direction, and Fletcher Bay is one of my favourite DOC campsites in New Zealand. If you have time, consider staying a few nights here!

Track overview

Difficulty: Moderate - undulating and steep in sections

Length: 20km return

Time: 3.5-4 hours one way (depending on your fitness level etc.)

If you start from Fletcher Bay, you’ll climb a short hill to the right of the campsite before walking over rolling farmland, past Mount Moehau, and through native bush. When you’re out of the bush, you’ll be treated to incredible coastal views - I never get tired of them! Although this hike requires some effort, it’s 100% worth it. It’s one of the most underrated hikes on the North Island, and I dream about doing it again.

It's not as easy as AllTrails suggests

Has AllTrails ever lied to you by calling a hike “easy” only to find yourself scrambling up a cliff face? Yep…me too. The first time I used AllTrails was to track my walk here. They lulled me into a false sense of security with words like “easy gradient”, “one short, steep section”, and “relaxing walk”. Although I was not as fit back then as I am now (2021 vs. 2025), and my ability to comprehend elevation gain was next to nothing, I was absolutely not prepared to find that while this isn’t the most challenging hike on the North Island, it’s definitely more difficult than some descriptions suggest! It’s a long day out, with plenty of steep sections.

You can't do this one-way

AllTrails also tells you that you can do this track one way if you have two cars, but that’s not really feasible. There’s no direct road between Fletcher Bay and Stony Bay, and the driving distance between them is two hours. So, I recommend doing the full return trip or cutting the walk in half if 20km is a little too much for you. It’s still an incredible walk, and I think that the Fletcher Bay side of the track has the best views anyway.

How to get there

Fletcher Bay is truly in the middle of nowhere. The closest “big town” is Coromandel Town, but even that’s 1.5 hours away. There’s no public transport, so you’ll need your own car or campervan.

Coromandel Town is approximately three hours from Auckland. Once you’re there, follow Colville Road north for 31km to Colville Bay, and then take Port Jackson Road for 30km to Fletcher Bay.

The drive itself is an experience. It’s one of the best coastal drives in New Zealand, so you’ll want to take your time and enjoy yourself. The beginning of the road is paved but then becomes gravel some time before Port Jackson.

If it’s rained, you might come across some fords/river crossings. I’ve never had any issues, but if you’re renting a car/campervan, make sure to check your rental agreement, as some companies don’t allow you to drive up here. It's always better to be safe than sorry!