Discover Pauanui: Views, Beach and Coastal Walks

Pauanui offers several ways to spend time on the coast: enjoy the view from the trig, follow paths through coastal forests dominated by pōhutukawa trees, spend time at the beach, or walk along the estuary. Each experience offers something different. If you enjoy walking, you can choose between routes on the Pauanui Trig Track and a longer circuit via the beach and estuary. There are also water sports, a BMX practice track for children, and a golf course.

Two routes on the Pauanui Trig Track

The Pauanui Trig Track leads to a trig point with views over the town of Pauanui. There is a shorter, steeper route from the car park to the trig point. It takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes one way. This information can help with planning your day: the time is for one way, not the full return trip.

An alternative route follows a gentle 400-metre path through coastal forests dominated by pōhutukawa trees and past occasional small beaches to Cave Bay. This offers two distinct route options: the shorter, steeper track from the car park to the viewpoint, and the route through coastal forest and past small beaches to Cave Bay. If views over Pauanui are important to you, the trig point is a specific destination; for a walk with forest and beach sections, consider the alternative route described here.

Pauanui Beach and the circuit via the estuary

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 conditions are suitable.

You can also explore the coastal landscape on foot: the circuit around Pauanui can be walked via the ocean beach and estuary and is approximately 7 kilometres long. The approximate distance provides a guide for planning without specifying a walking time. If you’d like to combine a beach day with a longer walk, this is another specific way to explore Pauanui.

On the Tairua River Trail

The Tairua River Trail begins at its eastern end in Pauanui Waterways. The completed section is 6.4 kilometres long in total. If you’re considering a shorter option, you can take a loop that returns to Tangiteroria Lane after about 1.2 kilometres. The details for the section and the loop describe different route options; the shorter loop can therefore be distinguished from the full length of the completed section.

There is also a small BMX practice track for children on the Tairua River Trail. For families considering a cycling activity for children as part of their trip, this is another option alongside the walking tracks and beach. The Lakes Resort Golf Course in Pauanui has 18 holes of championship golf, adding another activity to the mix.

Shape your stay around your interests

Your personal holiday priorities may be the deciding factor when choosing a holiday apartment or holiday home in Pauanui.

Discover other places

If you’d also like to consider other places in the area for your trip, explore Whitianga, Whangamata, Hikutaia, Opoutere, Te Puru, Coromandel, Tairua and Whenuakite.

For the broader travel overview: Thames-Coromandel District.