The Pinnacles Coromandel is my favourite New Zealand day hike in the North Island, and one of the first I ever did when I was starting out in landscape photography. The view from the summit of The Pinnacles Coromandel is one that you just wont see anywhere else in New Zealand .. it is another hike where you could swear you had been transported to a different country and were suddenly a top some mountains in Hawaii.

The Pinnacles Coromandel hike is an historic packhorse route used by Kauri logging bushman back in the 1920's. The summit overlooks incredible views of the eastern side of Coromandel Peninsula , including vast native bush, mountains and then out to sea. The hike can be done in one day, or you can book a night at the Pinnacles Hut which is an 80 Bunk hut with stunning views just 40 minutes from the summit. Well worth it if you'd like to catch first light at sunrise, which is what we did.

This 8 hour return hike traverses through native bush including New Zealand's very own Nikau palms and runs across streams and swingbridges. Once you get to the hut, the summit is a further 40 minutes up ... if you are afraid of heights like me , take a friend to help you, but trust me it's worth it.

Take your wide angle and zoom lenses with you for this one.