Dust and gravel will go flying when the Mahindra Goldrush Rally of New Zealand returns to the Coromandel this month.

Round five of the 2016 NZ Rally Championships will see more than 60 cars and the country's best drivers tackle 135 kilometres of special stages across public and forestry roads on Saturday, August 20.

The 2016 Mahindra Goldrush Rally of New Zealand takes place on Saturday, August 20. Photo: Jason Byrne /Alittlbitsideways.co.nz

Rally Headquarters will be based at the Mercury Bay Sports Park in Whitianga and spectators are welcome to view the cars and crews up close as they come in for servicing, before they head into the Whitianga Town Centre for the ceremonial finish later in the afternoon.

'The ceremonial finish is an opportunity for everyone to come along and check out the rally cars and meet the drivers,” says Rally NZ spokesperson Blair Read.

The first stage kicks off at 7.30am in Colville on the peninsula's west coast, and will see competitors race through Waikawau before ending up in Tuateawa Road on the east coast.

They'll then travel to Coromandel Town for the second stage and will see competitors racing down The 309 Road to Kaimarama.

Then it's off to Coroglen for the third stage which starts opposite the Coroglen Tavern and will see cars racing down the Tapu-Coroglen Road to Tapu.

The action then moves to Whitianga for a special stage which will see cars racing along Joan Gaskell Drive from the intersection of State Highway 25 and Kupe Drive before the ceremonial finish being held on Blacksmiths Lane at about 5.30pm.

On the podium for the ceremonial finish will be the first three placers overall, followed by the top three placers by classes, who'll be presented with their trophies and a champagne spray.

The Thames-Coromandel District Council is also helping to organise a street party and they hope to draw a large crowd of people to celebrate with the drivers, co-drivers and pit crew.

The 2016 Mahindra Goldrush Rally of New Zealand takes place on Saturday, August 20.

For more information visit The New Zealand Rally Championship website at: nzrallychamps.co.nz