80 Kapanga Road, Whangaahei-Sandy Bay, Thames-Coromandel
Picturesque Coromandel Town makes a good base for exploring some of Coromandel’s boom–bust history of kauri logging and gold-mining.
The township itself has retained numerous historic buildings, many of which are open to visitors. The discovery of gold deposits in the nearby ranges saw the establishment of a gold-mining settlement here in 1861–62. Over twenty of the buildings from the boom era of the 1870s still sur-vive. The main road through the township is lined with interesting old shops and notable buildings. Assay House was a classic-style Victorian bank, erected in 1874. Across the road, the Coromandel Drapery was established in 1896 and sold drapery for 100 years.
Further along are the original school house, built of kauri in 1877 (now known as Hauraki House) and the government building/courthouse, built in 1873, also of kauri. This is now used as an Information Centre and offices for the Department of Conservation and District Council. The Coromandel School of Mines, dating from 1898, now serves as a museum to the gold-mining days. The mining school’s teaching stamping battery has been restored and can be visited on Buffalo Road, a side street just before leaving the township towards Colville. Dotted throughout the town are many beautiful old kauri villas. Some now serve as tourist accommodation.
A double-gabled kauri villa used as a home stay (Cadman House on Whangapoua Road) was built for a sawmill owner, Alfred Cadman, about 1872, using timber from his own mill. Fraser House on Tiki Road is a typical bay villa with decorative fretwork, built about 1907, the height of the kauri era and when many such houses were built. Many others, some with landscaped gardens, can be viewed from the road. Coromandel Town is now an alternative-lifestyle haven for crafts people, particularly potters. Just north of the town, at Driving Creek, you can ride on a restored railway through regenerating kauri forest and be tempted to buy some of the potters’ locally made products.
Besides the road, the main point of entry and exit to Coromandel Town is Hannaford's Wharf, several kilometres to the south. Ferry passengers can use a shuttle to get to and from Coromandel Town.
Nearby this Place
Featured Nearby
