Coromandel town

On the north west coast is the historic and picturesque Coromandel Town. Set on a large natural harbour, with its extensive green-lip mussel, salmon and oyster farms, the town has kept much of its 19th-century architecture, when it was a booming gold mining and logging town. Nowadays it is quiet and charming, an artist's haven with great cafés. The Driving Creek Railway trip through the forest-clad mountains is also very popular. Try the spectacular route 309 across the mountains to get there.