Bus Travel

InterCity Coachlines, Go Kiwi Shuttles, and nakedbus link Whitianga and Thames with Auckland daily; the trip is just over two hours from Auckland to Thames and just over three hours to Whitianga. Bus travel within the region is reliable, although less frequent in winter. InterCity, Go Kiwi, and nakedbus make daily trips between Coromandel, Thames, Whitianga, and other stops throughout the peninsula.

InterCity and Go Kiwi have special Coromandel hop-on hop-off passes; the Go Kiwi pass is good for a month, and the InterCity pass is valid for three. nakedbus is an inexpensive "no-frills" option.

Contacts

Go Kiwi Shuttles (07/866-0336. www.go-kiwi.co.nz.)

InterCity Coachlines (07/868-7251 or 0800/222-146. www.intercitycoach.co.nz.)

nakedbus (0900/62533. www.nakedbus.com.)