Monday 25th September

Hauraki Rail Trail Grows A New Leg

The new leg of the Hauraki Rail Trail has opened up a world of opportunity for cyclists to discover more of The Coromandel. Traversing the Seabird Coast the cycle trail now extends 136km with highlights aplenty along the way.

Destination Coromandel, the region’s marketing organisation, is about to launch a campaign to increase awareness of the year-round experiences visitors can enjoy while cycling provincial New Zealand. Destination Coromandel Marketing Manager Megan Nunn is particularly excited about the opportunity to showcase the quality of product along the trail. “The trail is continuously improving as is the breadth of tourism product. Businesses are developing new attractions and tours to enhance the visitor experience.”

Mrs Nunn believes that improving the visitor experience through quality product will benefit communities along the trail with valuable visitor spend on what is otherwise a free attraction. All the way along the trail one can stop off to enjoy homegrown hospitality and local produce, nowhere more so than at the increasingly popular Falls Retreat. This down-to-earth restaurant is launching a new foodie tour called ‘The Gathering.’ Guests can finally live the paddock to plate ethos with a personalised garden tour before enjoying a lunch that is wellness on a plate.

Falls Retreat is located in the dramatic Karangahake Gorge, a terrain that rouses the senses of passersby. It is here that the tale of the golden era is stamped on the surrounds, mining relics theme the grandeur setting. Enter yet another new tour – transitioning visitors from past to present in a half day excursion. As cyclists leave the dramatic gorge behind they continue aboard the Goldfields Train through idyllic rural pastures reminiscent of the gentle English countryside. The tour is only complete once visitors connect with the Waihi Gold Experience. This interactive award-winning attraction brings to life the journey through time and toil with stories of the gold quest. Recipients of the i-SITE innovation and Service IQ Best Museum Visitor Experience Awards in 2015, the Waihi-based attraction is proving popular for people of all ages according to Trip Advisor reviews.

The Hauraki Rail Trail has revitalised year-round business in The Coromandel with retailers extending their opening hours. It’s also been the catalyst for new ventures such as Pedlars Motel and One3One restaurant in Paeroa. Special deals and new product can be viewed on the region’s official website – www.thecoromandel.com, cementing the Hauraki Rail Trail as a must do on every Coromandel itinerary.

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