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Cathedral Cove
Home Destinations Australasia New Zealand Auckland and the Coromandel

Auckland and the Coromandel

Auckland is New Zealand’s largest and most multicultural city and is known as the City of Sails for its fantastic sailing opportunities.

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Rainforest covers the surrounding hills; dozens of dormant volcanic cones dot the landscape as well as renowned wineries and beautiful beaches.

Add to this the vast Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand’s largest marine reserve, scattered with islands and a centre for water activities, from kayaking to island hopping.

Kayaking, Cathedral Cove, Coromandel, New Zealand
Coromandel, New Zealand

Explore the Coromandel Peninsula

Just a few hours’ drive away, on the eastern coast of North Island lies the Coromandel Peninsula, an area renowned for its natural, unspoilt beauty. Native rainforests and pristine golden beaches fringed by a rugged coastline offer excellent opportunities for a host of activities including walking, fishing, diving, sailing, surfing and kayaking. Hot Water Beach lives up to its name when, during certain tide times, you can create your own hot pool by digging into the sands. The hot spring water bubbling up through the sand is the legacy of an exciting volcanic past.

For a spot of history, Coromandel Town also boasts an interesting past of gold mining and logging.

Experiences

What do you really love doing? We curate your itinerary especially for you.

Cathedral Cove, Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand
 

Coromandel Walking

Walk the Coromandel coast, stopping for a picnic on one of the many hidden bays.

Rangitoto view, New Zealand
 

Rangitoto Volcano Hike

Climb Rangitoto, New Zealand’s youngest volcano, located in the Hauraki Gulf, off the coast of Auckland.

Waiheke Island, Auckland, New Zealand
 

Waiheke Island

Stay on Waiheke Island and sample award-winning artisan wines.

Suggested hotel

Common Dolphin, New Zealand
 

Marine Wildlife Watching

Search for Bryde’s whale, dolphin and orca in the Hauraki Gulf, off the coast of Auckland.

Idea
New Zealand
Ultimate New Zealand Self-Drive
This 21-day self-drive itinerary offers a fantastic introduction to the great outdoors of New Zealand and covers highlights of both the North and the South Island. Wildlife tours, Maori life, scenic flights, glacier adventures, overnight cruises and more.
21 days from £6,495pp
Mount Cook and Lake Pukaki, New Zealand
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Idea
New Zealand
New Zealand – Luxury Honeymoon
Discover both North and South Islands in style. This is the perfect honeymoon for intrepid newlyweds. With a theme of pure indulgence throughout, this holiday to New Zealand achieves the perfect balance of adventure and pampering.
16 days from £15,950pp
Rahimoana Villa, Infinity Pool, Eagles Nest, Bay of Islands, New Zealand
View Holiday Idea
Group tour
New Zealand
The Remote Sounds of New Zealand’s South
Slip into the furthest reaches of Fiordland on an intimate expedition cruise aboard an 18-guest yacht. Over 10 days, explore the great sounds and seldom-visited inlets, from Milford and Doubtful to remote Dusky and George Sound. 
Departing 16th July 2026
10 days from £4,465pp
Heritage Explorer viewed through trees, Heritage Expeditions, Fiordland, New Zealand
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Idea
New Zealand
New Zealand – South Island Self-drive
The most dramatic of New Zealand’s two islands, this self-drive holiday explores the South Island in-depth, taking in the best of the magnificent scenery and wildlife on offer.
16 days from £5,795pp
Llupins, Lake Tekapo
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Need Inspiration?
Browse our New Zealand holiday ideas.

Our New Zealand experts have created and curated these holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something to spark ideas for a unique adventure.

Idea
New Zealand
Ultimate New Zealand Self-Drive
This 21-day self-drive itinerary offers a fantastic introduction to the great outdoors of New Zealand and covers highlights of both the North and the South Island. Wildlife tours, Maori life, scenic flights, glacier adventures, overnight cruises and more.
21 days from £6,495pp
Mount Cook and Lake Pukaki, New Zealand
View Holiday Idea
Idea
New Zealand
New Zealand – Luxury Honeymoon
Discover both North and South Islands in style. This is the perfect honeymoon for intrepid newlyweds. With a theme of pure indulgence throughout, this holiday to New Zealand achieves the perfect balance of adventure and pampering.
16 days from £15,950pp
Rahimoana Villa, Infinity Pool, Eagles Nest, Bay of Islands, New Zealand
View Holiday Idea
Group tour
New Zealand
The Remote Sounds of New Zealand’s South
Slip into the furthest reaches of Fiordland on an intimate expedition cruise aboard an 18-guest yacht. Over 10 days, explore the great sounds and seldom-visited inlets, from Milford and Doubtful to remote Dusky and George Sound. 
Departing 16th July 2026
10 days from £4,465pp
Heritage Explorer viewed through trees, Heritage Expeditions, Fiordland, New Zealand
View Cruise
Idea
New Zealand
New Zealand – South Island Self-drive
The most dramatic of New Zealand’s two islands, this self-drive holiday explores the South Island in-depth, taking in the best of the magnificent scenery and wildlife on offer.
16 days from £5,795pp
Llupins, Lake Tekapo
View Holiday Idea
View all holiday ideas View all cruises

Need Inspiration?
Browse our New Zealand holiday ideas.

Our New Zealand experts have created and curated these holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something to spark ideas for a unique adventure.

Idea
New Zealand
Ultimate New Zealand Self-Drive
This 21-day self-drive itinerary offers a fantastic introduction to the great outdoors of New Zealand and…
21 days from £6,495pp
Mount Cook and Lake Pukaki, New Zealand
View Holiday Idea
Idea
New Zealand
New Zealand – Luxury Honeymoon
Discover both North and South Islands in style. This is the perfect honeymoon for intrepid newlyweds.…
16 days from £15,950pp
Rahimoana Villa, Infinity Pool, Eagles Nest, Bay of Islands, New Zealand
View Holiday Idea
Group tour
New Zealand
The Remote Sounds of New Zealand’s South
Slip into the furthest reaches of Fiordland on an intimate expedition cruise aboard an 18-guest yacht.…
Departing 16th July 2026
10 days from £4,465pp
Heritage Explorer viewed through trees, Heritage Expeditions, Fiordland, New Zealand
View Cruise
Idea
New Zealand
New Zealand – South Island Self-drive
The most dramatic of New Zealand’s two islands, this self-drive holiday explores the South Island in-depth,…
16 days from £5,795pp
Llupins, Lake Tekapo
View Holiday Idea

Where to stay

Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.

Hotel DeBrett £££££

  • New Zealand
  • City

Hotel DeBrett is a quirky city-centre hotel with funky interiors, combining Art Deco and contemporary styles. The 25 rooms are furnished with colourful, modern pieces and the lively restaurant and bar are flooded with light via the glass atrium roof and stained-glass panels.

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The Boatshed Hotel, Waiheke Island £££££

  • Auckland and the Coromandel

Situated a short walk from the beach on Waiheke Island, The Boatshed offers quirky and unpretentious accommodation with a welcoming atmosphere and discreet but exemplary service. Each of the seven rooms is unique, enjoy harbour views and follow a fresh, nautical theme; from the spacious bungalow suites to the modern zinc-clad water tower with its own roof garden. Food and wine are a key part of The Boatshed experience, much of which is homegrown, and guests are free to choose where they wish to dine each day.

View Property


More luxury accommodation

Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Clare Diving in Indonesia
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Clare Wiggins

My love for Asia began with living there. Based in Vietnam and then Malaysia, I also explored the surrounding regions before eventually finding my way back home via China and the Trans-Siberian railway. At Steppes Travel, I get to share that love for Asia every day, helping clients experience the places I know best as if they were locals themselves.

Talk with our experts
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explore other regions

Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo

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Marlborough basks in year-round sunshine, providing perfect conditions for walking, mountain biking, sea kayaking and vineyard explorations.

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This strip of the South Island boasts five of New Zealand’s 14 national parks and is a rugged land of wild beaches,…

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Queenstown and Wanaka

Today Queenstown and the nearby Fiordland National Park is treasured for its magnificent scenery and adventure opportunities.

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Wellington and Martinborough Wine Regions

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Volcanic Heartland

The centre of New Zealand’s North Island is also the heart of the countries volcanic activity. At its most active some 2000…

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Hawkes Bay and Napiers Wineries

New Zealand's leading producer of red wines and has the greatest concentration of Art Deco architecture.

Gannets, Cape Kidnappers, New Zealand

Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge, curiosity and expertise set us apart, driving us to create remarkable holidays and Beautiful Adventures tailored perfectly to you, carefully curated to help protect and conserve our planet.

Are you ready to Discover Extraordinary?


More about Steppes

01285 880 980