Coromandel takes its name from the HMS Coromandel, which dropped anchor here in 1820 to load kauri logs for the English navy. The trunks of young kauri trees are very straight and strong - ideal for ships' masts and spars. The Coromandel’s other treasure, gold, was discovered around 30 years later. Although the serious mining days are over, the town has New Zealand’s last fully functional stamper battery - still on its original site and working on a daily basis. Coromandel also has many restored Victorian buildings. Other local attractions include a narrow gauge mountain railway, mining museum and the Coromandel Coastal Walkway.
Functional facts: Approx. population 1450, i-SITE Visitor Centre, good range of shops.