From the viewpoint at Pauanui Trig to an approximately seven-kilometre loop along the ocean beach and estuary, Pauanui offers several distinct ways to spend time outdoors. When choosing accommodation, it may help to first decide what you want to focus on: walking and hiking trails, water activities or golf. Trails and activities vary in destination, length and conditions; wind is also a factor for watersports.
Pauanui Trig Track: Views and Coastal Forest
The Pauanui Trig Track offers views of Pauanui from the trig. The shorter, steeper route from the car park to the trig takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes one way. This time estimate applies to the walk to the viewpoint; allow extra time for the return journey when planning.
An alternative route on the Pauanui Trig Track follows a gentle 400-metre path through coastal forest dominated by pĹŤhutukawa trees and past occasional small beaches to Cave Bay. Cave Bay, rather than the trig, is the destination on this route. Choosing between the two also means choosing between a viewpoint over Pauanui and a coastal destination.
Beach and Waterside Trails
Pauanui Beach is one of the region’s longest and gentlest swimming beaches. Surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing are possible at the beach when the wind is suitable. Wind conditions are therefore part of planning for these watersports. Another option is to walk around Pauanui: the approximately seven-kilometre route runs along the ocean beach and estuary. Compared with the 400-metre path to Cave Bay and the approximately 1.2-kilometre River Trail loop, it is a considerably longer walking option.
Tairua River Trail: Section and Loop
At the eastern end, the Tairua River Trail starts in Pauanui Waterways. The completed section is 6.4 kilometres in total; the trail’s extent may change as it is developed further. If you are making specific plans for the route, check the latest information. A shorter loop on the Tairua River Trail runs for about 1.2 kilometres and returns to Tangiteroria Lane. The distinction is useful for planning: 6.4 kilometres refers to the completed section as a whole, while the loop is a shorter round trip with a named endpoint.
There is also a small BMX practice track for children at the Tairua River Trail. This adds BMX as a specific activity for children alongside the walking trails.
Golf as Another Focus
The Lakes Resort Golf Course in Pauanui offers 18 holes of championship golf. This adds a clearly defined golf focus to the beach and trail options. Planning for each follows different considerations: at the trig, the walking time is one way; on the River Trail, the full section and shorter loop differ; and suitable wind is essential for watersports. When choosing your accommodation, you can first consider which focus you would most like to shape your stay.
Discover more destinations: Whangamata, Te Puru, Thames, Hikuai, Tairua, Cooks Beach, Opito Bay, Coromandel.
For the wider travel overview: Thames-Coromandel District.
