Coromandel Loop Clockwise!

• One of NZ’s best motorcycle loops, packed with twisty roads and coastal scenery
• From Karangahake Gorge to Whangamata, it’s a ride full of must-stop highlights
• A perfect overnight escape that proves the chore list can wait 👍

Sometimes the best decision is ignoring the to-do list — especially when the Coromandel is calling. BRM contributor, Nicole Brown, recounts a weekend when she decided to drop everything and head away on her faithful ‘Gidget’.

The Escape Plan

Contemplating the long list of weekend chores sitting in front of me, I made what felt like a logical first move.

I set the list aside.

The next step came easily: pack the bike.

Within minutes, my accommodation was booked and my gear was ready. I even wrote ‘Book accommodation’ and ‘Pack gear’ on the list just so I could cross them off. Productive, right?

After a quick pre-ride check, I fired up Gidget and rolled out of Papamoa, bound for the Coromandel. A brief hiccup with a traction control warning light slowed things momentarily, but after a quick check of the manual and a reset, I was on my way — mildly reassured it was just user error.

I’d ridden the Coromandel once before, anti-clockwise. This time, I was doing it properly — clockwise, with Coromandel town as my first overnight stop.

Into the Gorge

State Highway 2 delivered me swiftly to Paeroa, with plenty of tempting detours along the way — Waihi Beach, Athenree, and other coastal stops if you’re in no rush.

Just north of Waihi lies the Karangahake Gorge — a stretch that demands attention. Tight corners, narrow lanes and often damp surfaces make it as challenging as it is beautiful.

As my earlier traction control concerns faded, a new distraction appeared in the form of a metre-square section of chicken wire lying across the road. With nowhere to pull over, I held my breath and rolled over it, waiting for… something. A puncture? A wobble? Nothing. Relief.

Passing through Waikino, with its iconic hotel and the ever-popular Waikino Station café, I entered the Gorge proper. The Ohinemuri River wound below, cliffs rising above, and the road twisted relentlessly ahead. Add in the occasional speed camera, and it’s a stretch that keeps you honest.

Thames & The Coast

Before long, I rolled into Paeroa — home of the giant L&P bottle and a solid fuel stop. A quick top-up and I was off again, navigating towards Highway 26 using my tried-and-tested “50/50 method”: either I’ll find the road, or I won’t.

This time, it worked.

Highway 26 is a gem — quiet farmland, minimal traffic and a sense of escape that builds with every kilometre. It leads you to Kopu, where Highway 25 begins its run along the western edge of the Coromandel Peninsula.

From there, it’s all about the views.

The Firth of Thames opens up beside you, and the road threads through coastal settlements like Te Puru and Waiomu, each corner revealing another postcard-worthy scene.

Thames itself, once a booming gold town, now has a laid-back charm with a slightly quirky edge — it’s also a bit of a Steampunk hotspot, which somehow fits.

Overnight in Coromandel

The final stretch into Coromandel town winds inland briefly before returning to the coast, delivering you into one of the peninsula’s most character-filled destinations.

I stayed at Coromandel Cottages — a welcoming spot where the host had my key ready before I’d even dismounted. Milk in the fridge, biscuits on the bench — the kind of small touches that make all the difference.

After a quick shower, it was a short walk into town for dinner, with plenty of options to choose from.

Heading North

The next morning, I set off north along Highway 25, greeted by winding roads climbing through lush forest.

The traction control light behaved itself this time — confirmation that the earlier issue was indeed operator error. Good to know.

Roadworks in places meant loose gravel on some corners, a timely reminder of how valuable modern electronics can be when conditions aren’t perfect.

Coastal Highlights

Dropping back down towards the coast, I stopped at Kuaotunu West — a perfect spot with easy access to the beach and space to park right near the sand.

For those who like mixing riding with water time, it’s ideal. While I don’t run a surfboard rack these days, I still manage to squeeze in snorkelling gear alongside a couple of days’ worth of essentials in my expandable bike bag.

A quick dip in the clear water was too good to pass up.

Back on the bike, the ride continued past stunning coastal views, the Mercury Islands visible offshore as the road twisted and turned towards Whitianga. Traffic was minimal, apart from one memorable overtake — a red 1979 Porsche Carrera. Fair enough.

Further south, I passed through Coroglen and into Tairua, where the distinctive shape of Paku Mountain stood watch over the coastline. It’s the kind of scenery that makes it impossible not to stop — or at least slow down and take it in.

The Ride Home

Whangamata provided the perfect final break. One of New Zealand’s iconic surf towns, it’s well worth riding through rather than bypassing — especially when there’s pizza involved.

Fully fuelled (both bike and rider), I joined State Highway 2 for the final run home. Traffic built as I approached Tauranga, but the ride still flowed well enough to keep things comfortable.

Back home, the chore list was exactly where I’d left it.

It can wait.

Because once you’ve done a ride like this, it doesn’t take much convincing to do it all again next weekend.