Kūaotunu

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.

Kūaotunu had a population of 267 in 2023. Nearby Matarangi had a population of 651 in 2023.

In the 1890s Kūaotunu was a gold mining settlement, with the Try Fluke Mine being particularly successful. To support the mining there was some kauri logging in the area with a 6 km (3.7 mi) narrow gauge railway.

• Kūaotunu community website

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.

• Kayaking. Kayaks can be hired from Kuaotunu Campground. 
• -36.7265175.70871 Kuaotunu Beach. The main thing to do in Kuaotunu is enjoy the magnificent beach.  
• -36.6972175.60542 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)
• -36.7074175.763 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)
• -36.72965175.645754 The Dunes Golf Course, Matarangi. Golf course designed by Bob Charles. Restaurant open to non golfers Thu-Sat noon-close and Wed Su noon-6PM. $100 for 18 hole round, $60 for 9 holes.  (updated Oct 2026)

• -36.73387175.66261 Four Square Matarangi (195 Matarangi Drive, Matarangi). daily 7AM-7PM. Small supermarket. Next door is a liquor store  (updated Oct 2026)

• -36.72187175.730341 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 Fri–Sun 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. 

• -36.72883175.70411 Kuaotunu Campground, 33 Bluff Rd, ☏ +64 7 866 5628. Camping and campervan park right next to the beach, owned by a group of regular campers after a buyout when the owner retired. Has camping pitches and lodges. Has cafe and takeaways, open 7 days during the summer. Also rents kayaks.  (updated Oct 2026)
• -36.72455175.723452 Taigh Na Mara, 15 Kawhero Drive, ☏ +64 7 866 5290. 2 room bed and breakfast from $230.  (updated Oct 2026)

• Coromandel – the town
• Whitianga