White Star Track Hiking Tour  

📌New Tour
 

Come explore the Coromandel region with us!

We’ve found something truly special - a private walking experience on the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula on the North Island. It’s remote, wild, and has only recently opened up for small guided groups like ours. And while we are in this stunning region, we will also enjoy two local highlights - a boat trip taking in Cathedral Cove and a quirky railway outing with fabulous views. 

 

Day 1: Auckland - Whitianga boat tour incl Cathedral Cove – Colville

We pick you up at Auckland domestic airport at 9:30am and head towards the Coromandel Peninsula. As both sides of the Coromandel are so different in character, we begin by heading up the east coast towards Whitianga. We stop for a short lunch (not included) before the first highlight awaits: a scenic boat tour takes us right along the coastline.

​We will see all the picturesque highlights along the coast including Cathedral Cove, beaches, blowholes and sea caves. Approaching the sheltered bays and volcanic formations on clear turquoise water is the most beautiful way to see this part of the peninsula. You even get the opportunity to snorkel (gear provided) if you are keen.  
Afterwards, we continue north, have dinner along the way (not included) and head to quiet Colville. We settle into our accommodation on White Star Farm – a peaceful, rural base for the days ahead.

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Driving time: ~ 5 hours / ~ 250 km

Boat tour: ~ 2 hours

Accommodation: White Star Station – Farm Cottage

Meals: Evening Snack Platter (and opportunity to buy lunch & dinner on the way)

 

Day 2: White Star Track, Hiking Day 1

Our first day on the new trail begins with a steady climb to the 400-metre summit known as “White Star.” From the top, the views stretch across the Hauraki Gulf, sometimes as far as Great Barrier Island – a wonderful place for lunch.

In the afternoon, we follow an open ridgeline before descending into the valley to the Eco Bush Cabins, nestled deep in the trees. If you still have energy, you can take a short detour to the Wairore Waterfall – a cold, clear swimming hole that many will remember fondly.

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Hiking distance: ~ 12 km / ~ 3-6 hours

Accommodation: White Star Station - Bush Cabins

Meals: B, L, D

 

Day 3: White Star Track, Hiking Day 2

Today the trail shows its full variety: small waterfalls, deep native forest, old mining and kauri-logging paths, and stretches of quiet ridgeline with big views over Colville Bay and the Hauraki Gulf. It’s a day with a few steeper climbs, but plenty of time to walk at your own pace and enjoy the landscape.​

In the evening we arrive at Oceanview Cottage. It’s a lovely place to end the day - with a sunset view, a drink on the deck, and (if you like) a warm soak in the spa pool under the stars.

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Hiking distance: ~ 13 km / ~ 4-7 hours

Accommodation: White Star Station – Oceanview Cottage

Meals: B, L, D

 

Day 4: Final Hiking Section - Driving Creek Railway - Auckland

Our last walking section is short and mostly downhill. We wander beneath rocky bluffs, through quiet bush and across a small stream before returning to the wide valley floor of the station.

We return along the west coast of the Coromandel, but we don’t head straight back to Auckland. After enjoying lunch in Colville (not included), we drive just a few kilometres south to the Driving Creek Railway - a quirky, hand-built narrow-gauge train that winds through native forest, crosses small viaducts and climbs to a viewing tower with a wide outlook over the hills. It’s a gentle, very “Coromandel” way to finish the tour. In the afternoon we drive back to Auckland Airport for drop-off around 5:30pm.

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Hiking distance: ~ 8 km / ~ 2-3 hours

Railway outing: ~ 2 hours

Driving time: ~ 3 hours / ~ 190 km

Meals: B (and opportunity to buy lunch on the way)

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Tour Grading

🥾 White Star Track – Grade 3 (Moderate)

We call the White Star Track moderate, mainly because of the uneven terrain and some steeper sections.

Most of the track is on old farm/forest tracks with a good trail surface that is wide, even and easy to walk. But you’ll be walking in varied landscapes including some narrow trails, uneven ground, shallow creek crossings and potential slippery surfaces if wet that ask for a bit of balance and a steady step now and then. Days 1 and 2 include climbs of 400-500m.

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👉 Our recommendation

A reasonable level of fitness will definitely help you enjoy the journey more - but there’s no need to rush. We’ve got the whole day to reach our next stop, so we’ll just take our time. Good footwear, a little sure-footedness, and a spirit of adventure are all you need. If you’re active, up for a bit of a challenge, and enjoy being out in nature, you’ll be just fine!​

You can find more about how we grade our tours here: → Our Hiking Track Grading System explained

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Why stop here - Combine with another tour

Our Nuku Hiking Tour ends the afternoon before this tour begins - with one night in Auckland in between, and we're happy to help arrange that. The Nuku takes you along a raw, wild west coast; this one is softer and more sheltered. Two walks, two completely different sides of the North Island. If this nine day combination appeals, get in touch and we'll work out a combined price.

Possible combo date: 7 - 15 February 2027 

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