A slice of paradise renowned for its stunning natural beauty, relaxed coastal lifestyle, and vibrant arts scene, the Coromandel is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering everything from world-class hiking and biking trails to fishing, kayaking, and diving.

Whether you’re drawn in by the iconic Cathedral Cove, the soothing waters of Hot Water Beach, or simply the chance to unwind, the Coromandel embodies the quintessential Kiwi escape.

But while Bayleys Coromandel Peninsula General Manager Shaun Paterson says the area has long been known as a holiday destination, many buyers are now in search of a more permanent lifestyle there.

“The appeal used to be the Kiwi dream of owning a bach and being here for summers only. But it's really changed now to just being a desirable place to live.”

“People want a better work-life balance, and they want to prioritise other things in life. Flexible working patterns have given people the ability to do that.”

Because of that demand, the region has slowly built up more amenities, turning it into a bustling coastal centre.

“I grew up here, and there were just two little Four Squares then. Now we've got a Woolworths and a New World too so that whole amenity offering has stepped up and become a lot more permanent.”

“In the past everything used to close down in the middle of winter, and it was an absolute ghost town, but now it's a year round destination due to the increased population.”

Paterson believes that growth has a lot to do with the region’s proximity to the golden triangle.

“I meet people all the time that are going to Auckland one, two or three days a week, or shooting backwards and forwards to Hamilton.”

“The whole demographic of the place has changed and what once used to be full of retirees or holiday makers is now full of families, business owners and professionals.”

The cherry on top of it all of course is the natural landscape and surrounding beaches.

“It’s one of the most beautiful corners of the globe, and offers a lot in terms of lifestyle, hobbies and activities.”

Paterson says the smaller areas like Hot Water Beach, Hahei, Cooks Beach and Matarangi still have a holiday feel, but the bigger areas have seen the most change and opportunity for growth.

So what are the four up and coming areas across the Coromandel, and what can you expect from each of them?

WHITIANGA

Affectionately known to locals as ‘Whiti City’, Paterson says Whitianga has seen the most change in its infrastructure.

“It used to be just one of the beach towns, but now it's got a whole lot of amenities. There’s two supermarkets, The Warehouse and Placemakers. It has definitely become more of a hub for the region.”

There’s also been huge growth and development in the level and quality of housing.

“Whitianga is all about the waterways and Hopper Developments has bought up enough land to more or less double the size of the town, and they are a fair way through that project. They built the canal system all the way through the back of town, and that's brought a whole lot of boaties in too.”

“There's also a lot of high end real estate that's opened up and brought a whole lot of wealth into the town, and all of that has forced the development of better infrastructure.”

Paterson says all of that has meant the area is fast becoming the new centre of the Coromandel.

“Thames-Coromandel District Council is still based in Thames, but I think in the future, there’s a real possibility that it would shift to this side of the peninsula.”

With the rise in high-end properties Paterson says that’s led to a huge variation of housing on offer.

“The town has grown so quickly that it's sort of divided into a two-tier market. There’s still a whole lot of older style holiday homes and then there’s a whole lot of new, or near new real estate.”

“There’s definitely still a market for the baches though, and there’s availability in the $700,000 - $800,000 price range. You can easily find something quite quirky and cool, or a decent chunk of land that’s close to the beach.”

As for some of the other amenities on offer, Paterson says there’s great restaurants and bars, a great marina and a selection of golf courses.

So how much will a property likely set you back? Right now, the median sales price for a spot in Whitianga is $835,000.

WHANGAMATA

Paterson says Whangamata is the biggest growth market in terms of value in the Coromandel.

“If you look back over the last five years in terms of medium values they’ve increased by about 59%.”

That’s partly due to its proximity to other main centres. About an hour and ten minutes from Hamilton, an hour and a half from Auckland, and just over an hour away from Tauranga, Paterson says it’s the best of beachside living with added convenience.

“It's closer to everywhere than a lot of the other Coromandel beaches.”

Paterson says like some of the other centres there’s a real mix of housing too.

“You've got the highest end beachfront real estate in the Coromandel and probably the next highest East Coast real estate to Mount Maunganui.”

“But like Whitianga, half the town is full of traditional batches and the other half are architecturally designed homes along the harbour and beach front. There’s something for everybody.”

When it comes to amenities Paterson says there’s a range of great bars and restaurants, as well as a hospital, supermarket and a Bunnings.

“There’s less amenity than Whitianga, but it’s definitely the next biggest centre after Whitianga and Thames.”

Right now, the median sales price in Whangamata is $1.1 million.

THAMES

Paterson says Thames is the older commercial hub and gateway to the rest of the Coromandel, and while the area has slowed down in recent years, he says the council is very driven to unlock a lot of real estate just south of there.

“They're building infrastructure to try and attract more people. But it’s also got two other key benefits too. Firstly, it’s just over an hour’s drive from Hamilton and Auckland, and secondly, it's got a hospital.”

“A lot of people decide to retire in the Coromandel, but at a certain point in time living over that hill is no longer feasible because the other centres haven't quite caught up from a healthcare perspective.”

Paterson says that means Thames has huge appeal as a retirement destination with higher density and retirement village style developments planned.

“It’s probably the one to watch in terms of land being unlocked for development, and more housing to cater to that specific audience.”

Until that land is freed up though, right now Paterson says there’s a lot of older housing on offer.

“Everything from old miners' cottages to villas. There’s a couple of subdivisions of significance with modern homes, but otherwise it’s all older bungalows.”

So how much will a home in Thames set you back? Right now, the median sales price is $632,000.

TAIRUA

A much smaller beach town, Paterson says Tairua still has a big appeal.

“It has a funky little town centre, and is really close to Auckland. It went through a rough time though with extensive road closures and the market has been quite soft.”

“It really felt like Tairua went to sleep for a year while the road was out of action, and now it feels like there's a bit of excitement there.”

With a new subdivision called Pepe Ridge, Paterson says there’s a lot of opportunity too.

“There’s some amazing sections with really amazing views, otherwise you can still buy beachfront real estate too.”

Because it’s been so quiet, Paterson says there are some great deals to be found.

“Right now, it's at a discount to its neighbours, so it's a bit more affordable than somewhere like Pauanui which is literally across the estuary.”

When it comes to amenities Tairua has the beach town vibe, but you can still find all of the basics.

“There's a wicked restaurant called Tairua Beach Club, which has become a real little hub with amazing views out over the harbour. There’s a decent Four Square and a butcher and a couple of cafes.”

Right now, the median sale price for a property in Tairua is $855,000.