The next leg of the journey is where a 4WD comes in handy. The area from Colville right around the tip of the Peninsula is real wilderness. The road turns to rough terrain， and it，s a good chance to do some offroad driving. One location that，s well worth a visit is Stony Bay， a small cove named after its pebbled beach. The bay is a popular camping spot in summer， with all the necessary amenities. If you want to camp overnight， all you，ll need is a tent and sleeping bag.
Two hours back down the coast is Kuaotunu Bay Lodge near Whitianga. The Lodge is purposebuilt and set in 5 hectares of pasture and bush overlooking Kuatonu beach. Each room has a private deck to allow visitors to view the beautiful sunset over the coast. If you fancy hiding out here for a while， head to the beach with your diving or fishing gear.
The west coast of the Peninsula forms one side of the Firth of Thames， with the historical gold mining and picturesque towns of Thames and Coromandel， while down the spine of the Peninsula runs a rugged natural bush covered mountain range - clearly visible from Auckland on a fine autumn day. On the eastern side， with superb beaches， are the resort towns of Whitianga， Tairua， Pauanui and the surfing beach of Whangamata which is host to crowds of holiday makers from Auckland and Hamilton during the Xmas break.
Between Thames and Whangamata， forming the base of the Peninsula， is the gold mining town of Wahi. The first recorded settlement of the area was by the Polynesian Explorer Kupe around here in 950AD， although there is evidence of Moa hunters here up to 2000 years ago. Captain Cook visited eastern side of the Peninsula， and anchored in Mercury Bay， site of today，s Whitianga township in November 1769. The purpose was to observe the transit of Venus， visit the other side of the coast and also picking up fresh vegetable supplies and water. The British Royal Navy also visited the area milling the huge Totaras and Kauris for masts and spas. They suffered several shipwrecksshipwreck n.船只失事， 海难， 遇难 including the HMS Buffalow in 1840.
Gold was first discovered in the Coromandel area in 1852 and the resulting gold rush brought many settlers into the area， who turned to logging the Kauri forests and digging the kauri gum， when the alluvial gold ran out. In 1867 Gold was discovered again in Thames and at the townshiptownship n.镇区 Coromandel but required mechanical crushers to release the ore. At a number of places throughout the Coromandel， old crusher or stamper batters can be seen and the place is littered with old mine shafts where the miners chased the veins of precious metal. When you visit Thames， a working display of the crushers， miners tunnels is open to the public. There are many walks through the ranges， with huts provided and supervised by the Dept of Conservation. However care should taken off the tracks because of the hidden old mining shafts.
On the other side of the Peninsula， the Whitianga area is renown for its beaches， quality accommodation， and big game fishing with many tuna， mako， swordfish and kingfish being caught by the gamefish club. Swimming with Dolphins is also a popular activity with visitors. Nearby beaches， include the very popular Hot Water beach where at low water you can create your own geothermal spa pool by digging a hole in the sand. Further South， the 4km long surfing beach of Whangamata is popular during the summer months and is an excellent holiday base. For folk who like the outdoors and camping - the Coromandel is the idea place.
