Every August the coastal village of Whitianga on the foodie-friendly Coromandel Peninsula, two hours east of Auckland, becomes a seafood and wine extravaganza.

From August 27-31, thousands gather for the Scallop Festival — a celebration of the region's succulent fresh scallops.

The main event is on the Saturday when the streets are crammed with scallop tastings, chefs battling it out for the best dish award, and seafood auctions. To top it all off, there's live music and a riotous Ode to the Scallop poetry slam.

An insane 35,000 scallops are devoured during the five-day spectacle. They are prepared in a trawler-load of different ways: crumbed in macadamia nuts; drenched in coconut cream and Midori; served on seaweed mille-feuille; wrapped in bacon; smothered with pomegranate salsa and, of course, freshly shucked.

If scallops aren't your thing, there's a plethora of other local delicacies such as wild pork, seafood chowder or venison burgers — all washed down with your brew of choice: Monteith's fine ale or a fragrant New Zealand white.

Should your stamina fade, you could indulge in less frenetic festival activities. Jazz at Hot Water Beach is popular. Timed to coincide with low tide, punters are encouraged to dig themselves a private spa pool in the sand while listening to live music playing at Hot Waves Cafe.

Coromandel Homegrown Food Trail

If you can' make it for festival time, scallops aren't the only foodie delight on the Coromandel. The region also specialises in organic fruit, seafood, macadamias, honey, cheese and beef.

Dotted up and down the Coromandel's lush green spine is a smorgasbord of providores and eateries.

A good place to start is by grabbing the excellent Coromandel Homegrown Food Trail brochure from any visitor centre along the coast, and then enjoy a self-drive gourmet meander through the peninsula's mosaic of lush river-fed fields and coastal vistas.

Here's our pick of the best…

Providores

Matatoki Farm Cheese: owners Kelvin and Chris Haigh swap gumboots for lab coats and churn out 20 different types of organic cheese. Go direct to the farmgate for their hand-stretched mozzarella, rosemary fetta, cumin gouda and Coromandel Blue. The viewing window, where you can take a peek at the cheese master at work, is a hit with kids and big kids alike.

The Chocolate Shoppe: tucked away in the eco-friendly end of Thames' main drag, Pollen Street, The Chocolate Shoppe looks like any other shopfront. But step inside and you will see that out the back they are busy making mouthwatering fudge and chocolates from local cream and fruit. Almost too pretty to eat, the sumptuous chocolates go fabulously with a mug of free-trade organic coffee from Sola Cafe down the road.

The Coromandel Smoking Company: try their much-lauded smoked oysters, mussels and pepper-smoked tarakihi. Other tasty morsels like salmon butter and mussel tapenade add zing to your gourmet picnic.

Cathedral Cove Macadamias: with Cathedral Cove's microclimate and fertile soils, Cathedral Cove gives Australian producers a run for their money. Treat yourself to macadamias that re rolled in Manuka honey, fiery chilli or sea salt. Their macadamia dukkah is just the thing for smothering on a slab of oil-dipped bread.

Eateries

Ohinemuri Winery Restaurant: located alongside the slopes of a lush gorge, these historic stables have been reincarnated as a boutique winery and restaurant. Using local produce with a Mediterranean slant, the sign out the front says it all: "Danger good food and wine inside."

Colville Caff: Colville is the Coromandel's hub of alternative lifestyle. The menu at the Caff reflects the clientele, dishing up gourmet twists on mostly vegetarian staples. Its tofu and zucchini lasagne will leave even the most devout carnivore licking their chops.

The Church: this converted Methodist Church oozes atmosphere with its high-vaulted ceilings and cosy winter fire. Their short and somewhat pricey menu is a showcase for local produce, and includes roasted beetroot, Coromandel Blue and walnut salad, and Cathedral Cove macadamia crusted lamb shanks.

Other winter attractions

Walking: to walk off the local produce, head for the hills. Discover rugged Karangahake Gorge, site of New Zealand's original gold rush. Walks are dotted with historic mine relics and range from 20 minutes to all-day affairs. Afterwards reward yourself at cosmic Talisman Café.

Cathedral Cove Sea Kayaking: only assessable by foot or kayak, Cathedral Cove looks like it's been transplanted from Thailand, minus the humidity. Towering fern-clad pinnacles rise up from turquoise water. Tours run throughout winter and the protected, calm waters suit cooler temperatures. A highlight is the real cappuccinos served from a portable coffee machine.

Driving Creek Railway: at the tip of the Coromandel, they have come up with a unique way to combine scenery and Coromandel Town's burgeoning arts culture. Take the one- hour train ride through towering kauri forests to a viewing platform — the Eyefull Tower — with its wraparound water views. Back at the terminus, wander through an arts studio where you can watch glassblowers, brick makers and potters at work.

For more information:

Scallop Festival official site: http://www.scallopfestival.co.nz

Matatoki Farm Cheese: http://www.matatokicheese.co.nz

Cathedral Cove Macadamias: http://www.cathedralcovemacadamias.co.nz

The Coromandel Smoking Company: http://www.corosmoke.co.nz

Ohinemuri Winery Restaurant: http://www.ohinemuri.co.nz

The Church Restaurant: http://www.thechurchhahei.co.nz

Cathedral Cove Sea Kayaking: http://www.seakayaktours.co.nz

Driving Creek Railway and Potteries: http://www.drivingcreekrailway.co.nz