Three days of premium walking, nature and seriously good food
This is the second private walk I’ve done in New Zealand and just like the first time I loved it. Mr M and I walked with 2 dear friends and we opted to book the VIP package. Spoiler: it was a great idea.
What is the Pahi Coastal Walk?
Set on one of the most beautiful stretches of New Zealand’s Coromandel Peninsula, the Pahi Coastal Walk is a three‑day, private, fully‑catered walking experience across a coastal farm setting.
You meet at Colville Village in the morning of day 1 for a shuttle to the start of the walk, where your car can be left safely at secure parking.
Day One: Hilly but friendly
10km | 3-5 hours
We kicked off with a solid hike. The terrain was hilly—some climbs to get the legs going—but nothing too extreme.
The shuttle dropped us at the start and after a yummy morning tea we set off across grassland and native bush and gradually climbed to the highest point before descending to our first night’s accommodation.
According to the itinerary, the first day totals about 10 km and takes around 3‑5 hours. We clocked in an elevation gain of 600m and 9.5km of hiking.
Night One: Settling in at Pahi Retreat
After an invigorating Day 1, we arrived at Pahi Retreat — a beautifully restored cottage nestled on the farm and right near the Pahi Stream.
The building carries a wonderful sense of history and has an authentic farmhouse feel. It’s six bedrooms and three bathrooms (in the main house) plus surrounding cabins, all arranged around the old cottage.
The restoration work is thoughtful — original features, timber, stone and every detail feeling intentional.
We stayed in one of the outside cabins: cosy beds, warm lighting, views of bush. Choosing the VIP upgrade meant we had linens, extra comfort and that “just arrived and don’t worry about anything” kind of feeling. By the time we climbed into bed, it was with that satisfied sense that today was a good one — and tomorrow would be even better.
Day Two: Long, breathtaking, beautiful
12-19km | 5-7 hours
Day two stretched us further: there are two options — a 12 km route or a more challenging 19 km path with steeper gradients and higher views.
We chose the longer route with an elevation gain of 992m – the weather was perfect apart from a brief shower.
Night 2: Nestled at Shearer’s Quarters
Day 2 left us exhilarated and ready for comfort and Shearer’s Quarters delivered. Located at Port Jackson Bay, this farmhouse‑style cottage overlooks the sea and allowed us to sink into the moment. We stayed in one of the cabins in the garden and the main house (three large bedrooms, open‑plan lounge, dining & decks) was just steps away.
Uninterrupted sea views, fresh sea‑air and a meal waiting when we arrived. It felt like the perfect reward: wild hiking by day, warmth and comfort by night.
Day Three: Short, scenic and sadly missed
4-7km | 2-3 hours
The final stretch of the Pahi Coastal Walk is designed to ease you back into reality. It’s around 4-7 km, taking 2 to 3 hours. By all accounts, it’s gentle, scenic and filled with that bittersweet “nearly over” kind of energy.
Unfortunately, we didn’t get to walk it. Our return ferry from Coromandel to Auckland was cancelled last minute and replaced with a bus that left two hours earlier than the scheduled ferry time and just like that, our final day was cut short.
A bit of a shame, really, as I’d been looking forward to one last coastal meander, but that’s just how travel goes sometimes. Still, the first two days more than made up for it.
The appeal of doing a private hike
What made the Pahi Coastal Walk really stand out and why I’d do another private hike again in a heartbeat was the perfect balance of adventure and comfort.
We didn’t have to carry heavy overnight packs. Our main bags were transported for us and we just walked with light daypacks — water, snacks, lunch, layers. It makes such a difference. The walking itself felt purposeful but never punishing and knowing a warm shower and comfy bed were waiting at the end of the day kept the energy high.
Speaking of which: the accommodation was fantastic. Cosy, warm, well-equipped and with proper beds. Not bunks, not foam mats — actual proper beds with real linen (thank you, VIP package!). We were greeted each night with great home-cooked meals made from local ingredients — hearty, flavourful and absolutely delicious. Dinner was followed by dessert, there was great coffee and the breakfasts were generous too.
We went for the VIP package, which included:
- All bedding and towels provided (no lugging sleeping bags)
- Pre-dinner platters
- Packed lunch for the first day
- A lovely local goodie bag
There’s something very grounding about walking through wild landscapes by day and returning to warmth, comfort and conversation at night. That’s the joy of a private hike: the wildness isn’t watered down — it’s just that everything around it is intentionally designed to be enjoyable.
We booked our hike directly with Pahi Coastal Walk.
Also read here about the first private hike we did: Tora Coastal Walk.
Further hiking inspiration: click here.
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