Industries and Attractions
The area was formerly known largely for its hardrock gold mining and kauri industries, but is now a mecca for tourism, especially ecotourism. A forest park occupies much of the centre of the peninsula, and the coasts are dotted with fine beaches and stunning views. The Moehau Ranges even have an elusive monster, The Hairy Moehau, which is quite a popular attraction with tourists.
Evidence of the region's geothermal origins can be found in hot springs, notably at Hot Water Beach on the peninsula's east coast. The town of Whangamata is a popular holiday retreat, and Whitianga on Mercury Bay is renowned for its yachting. The peninsula's waters are also a popular destination for scuba divers.
Cathedral Cove, named for its cathedral like arch through the limestone cliff, is a popular destination, only accessible by boat or on foot.
There are many historical mines in the Coromandel area, especially for gold mining. Waihi, in the south of Coromandel Peninsula, still has an active gold mine, as of the late 2000s, though most other mining in the area ceased about the 1980s. In late 2009, New Zealand's Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee (National) noted that there was a possibility of new mining in conservation areas, even though he had previously declared that a stocktake of mineral resources in protected areas did not indicate a desire to mine there.
Read more about this topic: Coromandel Peninsula
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