Manawa Ridge

Coromandel Peninsula


The views from this castle-like eco-retreat, perched on a 310m-high ridge 6km northeast of Waihi, take in the entire Bay of Plenty. Made of recycled railway timber, mudbrick and lime-plastered straw walls, the rooms marry earthiness with sheer luxury.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Coromandel Peninsula attractions

1. Gold Discovery Centre

4.7 MILES

Waihi’s superb Gold Discovery Centre tells of the area’s gold-mining past, present and future through interactive displays, focusing on personal and…

2. Waihi Arts Centre & Museum

4.95 MILES

The Waihi Arts Centre & Musuem has an art gallery and displays focusing on the region’s gold-mining history. Prepare to squirm before the collection of…

3. Athenree Hot Springs

6.26 MILES

In cooler months, retreat to these two small but blissful outdoor hot pools, hidden within a holiday park around 8km southeast of Waihi Beach.

4. Victoria Battery Tramway & Museum

8.83 MILES

Across the river from the Waikino train station, the Victoria Battery Tramway & Museum is the former site of the biggest quartz-ore processing plant in…

5. Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway

11.81 MILES

The very worthwhile 4.5km Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway takes 1½ hours (each way) and starts from the car park 14km west of Waihi. It follows the…

6. Western Bay Museum

13.04 MILES

Housed in a former fire station, this little regional museum displays a selection of Māori artefacts from the local tribe, Ngāi Te Rangi, along with…

7. Haiku Pathway

13.17 MILES

Built as a millennium project, this unusual attraction consists of boulders inscribed with haiku verses wending through a pretty park flanking the Uretara…

8. Paeroa Museum

13.99 MILES

This small museum has a grand selection of Royal Albert porcelain and other pioneer and Māori artefacts – look in the drawers.