Historic Colville New Zealand Began with the General Store

Once the capital of hippie culture in the 1970s, Colville New Zealand now enjoys a reputation for holiday adventure travel on the New Zealand Coromandel Peninsula map.

Historic settlement literally began with the General Store built by Dick Goudie, first person to drive a motor vehicle across the new bridge linking Papa Aroha with the northern peninsula. Funky Colville Co-op Store is a ‘70s hippie HQ throwback.

At one time known as Cabbage Bay, probably named after the cabbage trees in this area, the town was an important kauri milling site. It’s also known for its goldmining past. Today, it’s a quiet country town amidst an artistic and farming community.

The General Store, Caff, and post office are interesting places to browse as you pass through this part of your New Zealand tour, just a couple hours away from Auckland. The General Store is the last place to buy provisions, gas, and fishing bait before continuing further north.

The small post office sells stamps and postcards. La Portada Seafood Restaurant offers notable dining. Caff specializes in European cakes, pastries, pies, and coffee for refreshing relaxation following a day of fishing, beach or other coast adventure.

Speaking of adventure, Colville Connection is the site of stunning mountain bike races with impressive views of Great Barrier Island on the track. The great outdoors attracts artists who create captivating crafts here.

Hotel, motel, B & B’s, lodge and backpacker hostel selection is slim north of the Coromandel Peninsula. Clean and comfortable, though tiny, accommodation can be found at Colville Farm Backpackers. This fun farmstay includes horse, glowworm, and cow milking encounters. It’s a popular spot for trampers who want to park their backpacks to lighten their daytime load.

Another base for walks in the woods or coastal exploration is Fletcher Bay Backpackers, next to the Coromandel Walkway trailhead. This facility is run by the Department of Conservation and has only 16 beds, so booking is essential. The DOC also runs five camping facilities. Alternatively, you could furnish your own accommodations by means of a camper van New Zealand rental.

Besides the town itself, the northern tip is a sparse region to investigate New Zealand vacation travel on your own. The landscape is much like a Van Gogh painting, with deserted crescent bays, grazing sheep that dot verdant hills, and twisting trees on rocky cliff coastline and beaches. Gravel access roads bear a definite “gasp” factor that adds charm to the New Zealand isolation.