Shortly after you've turned inland and are
nearing the summit of a quite long and winding
rise, there is a lookout on the left which
provides a breathtaking view westward down
a long valley to Karita Bay and the Firth
of Thames.
As mentioned earlier in my Thames Turn-off travel note, this can be just a 'stopping to view' way station, or it can be your turning point back down towards Thames if you've a mind to make it to Karangahahe Gorge and/or the Waihi Holiday Park before the night is upon you.
Hopefully you will have the time to move on to Coromandel about half an hour ahead and stay there for a rural, bush-country welcome to New Zealand after an overnight break.
Coromandel Town is steeped in history and is an exeperience all of its own. Many do stay a day or two before travelling back down to Thames or on round the East Coast scenic drive - a very good road surface, but at times a rugged, time consuming journey.
The drive north, east and south around The Coromandel is definitely one of New Zealand's major outdoor attractions. You'll find few costly tourist attractions during this part of your tour, but those that are available are well worth the expense.
Of particular interest is the outstanding miniature railway which takes paying passengers on a bush wonderland train ride, including a stop-over at the 'Eye-ful Tower'. The entire project was designed and built largely by one main, a retired engineer who painstakingly built the engines, carraiges and tracks over three decades of effort.
Although turning back at the Karitia Bay Lookout is the gentler option, I nevertheless recommend the full Coromandel Experience if you have the time. Allow two to three days to really enjoy what it has to offer.