The township of Coromandel, situated on the western side of the Coromandel peninsula, was named after the HMS Coromandel which visited in 1820 seeking ship spars from the vast kauri forests in the area. Prior to the arrival of the Europeans the peninsula was strategically located and heavily populated by various Maori tribes that whakapapa (trace their ancestry) principally back to the Arawa and Tainui canoes.

In 1852 Charles Ring made the first authenticated discovery of gold in NZ in the Whangarahi stream (Driving Creek). This event initiated the first gold rush in New Zealand and kick-started the formation of Coromandel Township. The other factor that assisted the growth of the local and regional Coromandel community was the milling of the majestic kauri forests that were so prolific on the peninsula. In Coromandel and in Thames many buildings have survived the century and are landmarks of another age.

There are still vast tracks of regenerating native forests on the rugged mountain range that stretches the peninsula and forms the Coromandel Forest Park, including Moehau Mountain in the north and the Kaueranga Valley to the south. Here kiwi, sea- and other native birds enjoy their natural habitat, including those that migrate to the Arctic and other regions of the Pacific.

Today Coromandel town and the surrounding area is the home to a wide range of people including artists and alternative lifestylers, offering a unique environment to come to and explore.

One hour north of Thames, Coromandel is the only town on the western side of the Coromandel peninsula that offers a significant range of shops and services including: banking, car rentals, a ferry passenger service to Auckland, post shop, fuel, mechanical services, laundry dry cleaning and food supplies.