Kuaotunu is a small coastal township on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula in the North Island of New Zealand. It is a popular destination for summer holidays for tourists on the Coromandel tourist circuit. It is one of the most northern beaches on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula and is popular with campers and beach lovers.

Get in

Drive east over the spine of the peninsula from Coromandel town on the west side (30 minutes), or north from Whitianga (20 minutes). Both roads are sealed these days.

Do

• Kayaking. Kayaks can be hired from Kuaotunu Campground. 
• Kuaotunu Beach. The main thing to do in Kuaotunu is enjoy the magnificent beach. 
• New Chums Beach. A beautiful and secluded beach with native forest down to the sand. Accessible only by boat or by foot. Cross the stream at the northern end of Whangapoua Beach (22 minute drive from Kuaotunu) and follow the rough track for 30 minutes. At high tide you might get a bit wet crossing the stream. (updated Dec 2016)
• Otama Beach, Black Jack Rd (3.5 km from Kuaotunu). A 2-km white-sand beach that has only a few houses at the eastern end, and at times you may be the only people on the beach, which is astonishing given how beautiful it is. The beach is very good and safe for swimming and the sand may squeak when you walk on it. Sections of the road to the beach are sealed. From Otama you can continue on the unsealed road to Opito Bay, the next beach. (updated Dec 2016)

Eat

• Kuaotunu Store, 16 Black Jack Rd. Small grocery and general store with icecreams in a cone that go as big as the five-scoop Kuaotunu Killer. (updated Nov 2016)
• Luke's Kitchen & the Gallery, 20 Black Jack Rd, ☏ +64 7 866 4480. Luke's Kitchen F–Su 11am–8:30pm; Gallery daily 8am–3pm. A small pizza place with a million dollar view. Also does seafood, salads and a burger. The Gallery does coffee, sandwiches and baked goods. Pizzas $8–28, seafood $14–19, burger $20. 

Sleep

• Kuaotunu Campground, 33 Bluff Rd, ☏ +64 7 866 5628. Camping and campervan park right next to the beach. Has cafe and takeaways, open 7 days during the summer. Also rents kayaks. 
• Black Jack Lodge, 201 State Highway 25, ☏ +64 7 866 2988. Popular backpackers lodge right on the beach. 

Go next

• Coromandel – the town
• Whitianga