Explore endless stretches of turquoise coastline on a 9km picturesque trail and visit a local award-winning gin distillery on this near-perfect day
Overview
They say the sea heals the soul, and this stunning half day coastal walk from Homunga Bay to Waihi Beach is sweet escapism in its purest form. We wind our way around the east coast of the Coromandel, along cliff edges, discovering hidden bays along Pohutakawa lined edges on this one-way walk.
Enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch on the beach, dip your toes in the water before we make our way to Waihi Beach. A great opportunity for a refreshing ocean swim at the end of this hike! You don't have to be an experienced hiker for this walk, just have a reasonable level of fitness.
Next we visit the historic Karangahake gorge to visit the pretty Owharoa falls (another chance for a swim) before making our way to the iconic Waikino hotel for a gin tasting where local brewer turned distiller boasts a gold medal gin with an interesting gold twist. Sample three different gins and enjoy a G&T of your choice with a pallet cleansing cheese board in-between tastings.
Details
- $395 per person
- Fully-inclusive, guided experience
- Runs: Tues - Sunday, subject to availability
- Departs: 7.30am from Hamilton
- Returns: Approx 4.30pm to Hamilton
- Duration: 9 hours (Walk/hike: 4 hours)
- Hiking grade: Easy - Moderate
- Note: A minimum of 4 people are required for this tour to run
Reviews
Everything I love about New Zealand!
"We had an amazing day doing the Coastal Spirit Experience. Everything I love about New Zealand from the breathtaking scenery of our coastline to the yummy local food. Our guide Kylie made the day even better. I cant wait to try one of Nature & Nosh's other experiences"
- Anne (Auckland)
Amazing Coastal Spirit tour!
"Thanks Kylie and Peter for such an amazing day! We did the one day Coastal Spirit Experience, which took us through varied terrain and landscapes.It was fantastic being able to hike through the countryside to reach a beautiful pristine beach where there was no one else around. You will definitely not go hungry on this tour! The packed lunches we ate on the beach were delicious and just what you need. We would definitely do it again and highly recommend it! So much effort has been put into these trips and we were so spoilt."
- Leah (Melbourne)
Inclusions
- Return transfers from Hamilton in comfortable and spacious transport with air conditioning.
- Professional local guide with local knowledge and stories
- 4 hour guided coastal walk
- Morning tea and hot drink on the trail
- Gourmet picnic style lunch on the beach
- Owharoa Falls visit
- Talk and taste of award-winning gin at Kaimai Distilling, including:
- Sampling 3 gins
- G&T of your choice (or alternative drink)
- Cheeseboard pallet cleanser.
What's not included
- Personal hiking gear such as boots and day packs, water bottles. We do have some day packs and walking poles available to borrow, please request in advance.
Grading
Grade
Easy - Moderate
4 - 4.5 hours walking
(200m elevation) - enough to get heart rate up!
Carrying a small day backpack for your personal gear such as water, lunch and
a rain jacket.
Track conditions
The track surfaces on this walk varies from farmland/grass to clay and sand but the track is mostly well-maintained. There are some narrow parts with sheer cliff edges so sure-footedness is a must for this walk. A good level of fitness means you will get the most out of this day. 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.
Note: This itinerary should be seen as a guide only and is subject to change at any time due to elements outside our control. This walk in particular is subject to coastal tides and we may swap the order of our day around to manage this.