Changes to Coromandel Peninsula boat ramp fees and a new QR payment system

Easy to use QR system

The Council has introduced a new ‘at the ramp’ system using QR codes for boaties to pay for launching or trailer parking at nine of the Council’s boat ramps. Current permits purchased under the old system will remain valid until their expiry.

The boat ramps that have access to the new system are:

• Te Ariki Tahi/Sugarloaf (Te Kouma)
• Whangapoua
• Matarangi

• Whitianga Wharf (The Esplanade)

• Robinson Rd, Whitianga

• Purangi (Cooks Beach, Purangi Reserve)
• Tairua Wharf

• Royal Billy Point, Pāuanui
• Beach Rd, Whangamatā.

How does the system work?

At each of the boat ramps there is a sign featuring a QR code. Scan the QR code with your phone’s camera or a QR app. This will take you to an online payment system, select the permit you’d like to purchase and follow the payment steps. You’ll need a credit card, Google Pay or Apple Pay to make a payment. View the video at bottom of this article for an example of how the system works.

The Council’s compliance officers will have access to an online system that will scan / enter licence plates to check that there is a valid pass.

The QR system works with a smartphone. If you don’t have a smartphone, permits can still be paid for a Council Offices and at participating retail outlets.

Where can you purchase boat ramp passes?

The following local businesses are agents for TCDC passes:

• Coromandel Service Station (BP) 50 Tiki Road, Coromandel  
• Matarangi General Store 197 Matarangi Drive, Matarangi
• GAS Whangapoua 376 Tangiora Avenue, Whangapoua 
• Cooks Beach Resort 874 Purangi Road, Cooks Beach
• Longshore Marine 3/1 Blacksmith Lane, Whitianga 
• Gull Whitianga 5 Monk Street, Whitianga 
• Mobil Whitianga 200 Joan Gaskell Drive, Whitianga 
• Stunned Mullet 71B Cook Drive, Whitianga 
• Z Whitianga 83-85 Albert Street, Whitianga 
• Tairua Information Centre 2 Manaia Rd, Tairua 
• Dutchys Tairua 12 The Marina, Tairua 
• Pauanui Information Centre 23 Centreway Rd, Pāuanui 
• Challenge Whangamata 522 Port Road, Whangamatā 
• Bubbas Fishing and Outdoors 321 Casement Road, Whangamatā 
• JCD Customs & Marine 205 Aickin Road, Whangamatā

Alternatively, the council offices in Thames, Coromandel, Whitianga and Whangamata will sell passes during their normal opening hours.

• Thames Council office 515 Mackay Street, Thames 
• Coromandel Council office 355 Kapanga Road, Coromandel 
• Whangamata Council office 620 Port Road, Whangamatā 
• Whitianga Council office 10 Monk Street, Whitianga.

Boat Ramp QR Links

Although QR codes will be displayed at each boat ramp, below is a list of the boat ramps and their associated QR code payment website link.

• Te Ariki Tahi/Sugarloaf Boat Ramp
• Matarangi Boat Ramp
• Purangi Boat Ramp
• Robinson Rd Boat Ramp
• Royal Billy Boat Ramp
• Tairua Wharf Boat Ramp
• Whangamata Launching Facility
• Whangapoua Boat Ramp
• Whitianga Esplanade Boat Ramp

How much does it cost to launch your boat?

New boat ramp and parking fees have come into effect on 2 August 2022. The new fees for launching and parking are:

Combination passes - Includes launch and retrieve your boat and park in the designated trailer parking areas.

• An annual combination fee for recreational boat launching and trailer parking set at $115 per year
• A daily combination fee for recreational boat launching and trailer parking set at $30 per day

Launch only Passes - Allowing you to launch and retrieve only. 

• An annual launch only fee for recreational boats set at $45 per year
• A daily launch only fee for recreational boats set at $15 per day.

Can I launch my boat for free?

There are 17 Council owned boat ramps around the Coromandel Peninsula where you can launch your boat at no charge.

Coromandel-Colville

• Amodeo Bay Boat RampColvillle Road, Amodeo Bay
• Long Bay Boat Ramp Long Bay Road, Coromandel Town
• Oamaru Bay Boat Ramp Colville Road, Oamaru Bay
• Wyuna Bay Road Ramps Woodroofe Road & Wyuna Bay Road, Coromandel Town.

Mercury Bay

• Brophy's Beach Ramp Buffalo Beach Rd, Whitianga
• Cooks Beach Ramp Marine Parade, Cooks Beach
• Dundas Boat Ramp Dundas St, Whitianga
• Hei Reserve Boat Ramp Hei Esplanade, Whitianga
• Opito Bay Beach Ramp Skippers Crescent & Moore Crescent
• Quarry Point Boat Ramp Kūaotunu-Wharekaho Rd (SH25), Kūaotunu.

Tairua-Pāuanui

• Paku Ramp, Boat Ramp, Tairua The Esplanade, Tairua
• Pleasant Point Boat Ramp Pleasant Place, Pāuanui
• Tangiteroria Lane Boat Ramp Tangiteroria Lane, Pāuanui.

Thames & Thames Coast

• Kōpū Boat Ramp Quay Street, Kōpū
• Ruamahunga Boat Ramp Thames Coast Road, Ruamahunga
• Waiomu Boat Ramp Thames Coast Road, Waiomu.

Whangamatā

• Kotuku Boat Ramp Kotuku Road, Whangamata.

More information about Boat Ramps and facilities on the Coromandel Peninsula

For the most up to date information on the Thames Coromandel District Council’s boat ramps, wharfs and harbours please visit the TCDC website directly.