Fill Your Prescription for The Coromandel Cure

A Winter Wellbeing Holiday

The seasonal shift to winter is surely nature’s request for rest. Might it be wise for humans to follow suit and engage in activities that replenish rather than deplete, and restore rather than exhaust? 

The Coromandel lends itself remarkably to the kind of restorative, replenishing rest that winter inspires. The ‘Coromandel Cure’ was recently prescribed to a weary band of travellers, some of whom admitted suffering SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) every winter. Backed by scientific research, the Coromandel Cure cites “a significant reduction in stress and anxiety levels and leaves people feeling twice as relaxed, and more rested after their trip.” (Research report by Dr Karen V. Fernandez, PhD). Our SAD-suffering travellers were certainly curious to test the theory.

Because of its temperate subtropical microclimate, The Coromandel remains easy enough to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors in winter - albeit at a more rugged up and relaxed pace than the frenetic energy of the popular vacation spot in summer.

Though they are a diverse bunch, our group of winter travellers share a few common interests - they are all fierce foodies, intrepid walkers and impassioned lovers of learning. The Coromandel posed the perfect place to indulge their interests, stimulate their senses and still offer the kind of ease, rest and replenishment one would hope for a winter holiday.

First up on the agenda, a sturdy walk, from beach to bush, encompassing a view worthy of the effort. A single pair of footsteps on the dry soft sand of peaceful Pauanui Beach was soon replicated by four other pairs, as the group walked the broad three kilometre beach before ascending the forest lined track of Mt Pauanui, looming large at the southern end of the beach. The brisk air offered welcome relief from the heart-thumping effort of the uphill hike. Once at the summit, the pale winter sun twinkled on the 360 degree surface of the Pacific Ocean, spanning out below.

Clear winter nights equal vast starry skies, and because of minimal light pollution in the Coromandel, the dark night sky presents the ultimate backdrop for stargazing. The group descended outdoors as night fell, to spend time gazing out from the treetop dining deck at Grand Mercure Puka Park Hotel. Shoulders are shrouded in soft warm blankets, allowing time to linger longer and enjoy the winter night outside. Eventually everyone in the group retreats to the sunken lodge-like lounge indoors.  They enjoy an evening aperitif from comfortable armchairs near the hotel’s robust river rock fireplace.

Awakening to a drizzly day, the group donned raincoats and undertook a private guided tour to discover one of many off-the-beaten-track walks in the Coromandel Forest Park.  The relaxed pace permitted time to pay close attention to the native flora, glittering with delicate raindrops. As they paused to listen and learn about the mining history of the area from a knowledgeable local guide, their stillness enticed a tiny black robin and two twittering fantails to flitter beside them in the branches.

Keen to learn more about the gold mining history of the region, the group ventured south to the Hauraki heritage town of Waihi to visit the Gold Discovery Centre. The interactive and immersive indoor learning experience uses creative and embedded technology to bring life to the area’s history.  Near Waihi, Karangahake Gorge offered further opportunities for exploring short walking tracks alongside remaining relics from mining times.

The retro railway station at Waikino was a welcome whistlestop, with its cosy cafe offering hot coffee and fragrant baking still warm from the oven.  Further up the road, The Falls Retreat provided a huge portion of hospitality with a side of delight for the foodies.  Famous for being a place to reconnect with food, nature and each other, The Falls Retreat’s impressive ethos is equally matched by highest quality meals, topped with the freshest, most flavoursome produce. The retreat’s rustic dining room puts everyone at ease, with its hearty hospitality and open fireside.  The food at The Falls Retreat is prepared using local suppliers and produce is sourced from on-site organic veggie gardens.  The gardens are a destination in themselves and the site of seasonal gardening workshops.

Paeroa proved to be a satisfying stop for the group, with time on their hands and an eclectic strip of vintage, curios and antique shops lining the main street.  Paeroa’s small-town authenticity offered its visitors a glimpse of life as a local, as residents went about their daily business in a place world renown for a giant replica bottle of the iconic Lemon & Paeroa soft drink standing sentry at the town boundary.  The nearby town of Thames - known as gateway to the Coromandel - served as a charming place to stop and stock up on an abundance of locally and sustainably produced foods and products, with Restore Eco-Market being a main street must-stop. Just across the street, the group wandered into Carson’s Bookshop, an independent bookshop proudly housing a vast collection, attractively displayed on beautiful bookshelves.  For our lovers of learning, Carson’s proved to be a hands-down highlight, and an Aladdin’s cave of intellectual nourishment.

Equipped with the ideal ingredients to enhance wellbeing (food and books), the group take their time to meander up the northern coast - a stunning sea-bordered road forming the western link of the touring loop.  With plenty of pull-over bays along the coastal road, our visitors stop to enjoy the picturesque scenery, stopping at roadside produce and seafood stands, before eventually arriving in the northern township of Coromandel.  The town has a far-away feel to it, though the small main street is bustling and busy with people and cars. Both artistic and historic, Coromandel Town possesses an elemental, easy going charm. The welcoming old chairs behind big street-front windows entice the group into the Star and Garter pub for a quiet pint in the centre of the town.  A series of large black and white photos on the wall tell the stories of years gone by, of a settlement shaped by the hard scrabble influence of gold mining and kauri tree logging.

Thirsty for learning more about this unique pocket of the region, a trip to Driving Creek Railway does more than deliver.  Whilst taking a ride on a single gauge railway, the group learned about the creator of Driving Creek, Barry Brickell, and his ecological, artistic and innovative vision. The pottery shop at Driving Creek exhibits hand-crafted vessels available for purchase. Though not all avid shoppers or pottery fans, all members of the group took time to select something. The vessels served as personal mementos of their uniquely gained education about conservation, creativity and vision, in a place unlike another.

A winter wellbeing experience in The Coromandel would not be complete without a long hot soak in a steaming thermal pool. Fortunately for our group, The Lost Spring in Whitianga offers a sumptuous wellness experience in a stunning spa setting.  Geo-thermal mineral pools with poolside food and beverages provide the ultimate opportunity for soaking up the serenity of the day. At this point, the group’s SAD sufferers have a new perspective on winter. The plan is to refill their prescriptions for the scientifically proven Coromandel Cure - a winter wellbeing holiday.