Whitianga
Whitianga, New Zealand
Whitianga is an established tourist resort on the Coromandel peninsula of New Zealand that enjoys spectacular coastline dotted with islands and relatively sheltered waters perfect for fishing and diving.
Whitianga & Mercury Bay – just two and a half hours from Auckland, via Thames and Tairua. Whitianga is located on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula and is Mercury Bay’s main town. Whitianga has attracted visitors for more than a thousand years, since Maori explorer Kupe first settled here around 950A.D, but it was Captain James Cook who gave the area its name, when he anchored in the bay in 1769 to observe the transit of Mercury. Now an established tourist resort, the Bay’s spectacular coastline is dotted with islands and its relatively sheltered waters are perfect for all water sports.
There are a large range of activities to enjoy. Buffalo Beach is named after the H.M.S. Buffalo wrecked here in 1840. This beach offers safe swimming, plus good fishing and shellfish collecting. Further north is Wharekaho Beach, also known as Simpsons Beach, where the areas main Maori Pa was located.
Whitianga Wharf – the centre for boating and fishing activity, where you can take the passenger ferry to Ferry Landing and Flaxmill Bay or the shuttle to Cooks Beach, Hahei, Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cove. Mercury Bay Museum is located in the old Dairy Factory – the museum offers fascinating relics from the areas past and has an excellent award winning fishing exhibit that is well worth checking out.
Accommodation
Whitianga’s selection of accommodation options are vast with an array of choices.
Dining
Restaurants in Whitianga offer casual, outdoor dining with first-class restaurants and friendly pubs and cafes.
Things To Do
Surrounded by beaches, rivers, native bush and a national marine reserve, the Whitianga region offers an amazing range of activities and things to do in beautiful natural settings.
The Coromandel Peninsula
The Coromandel is where Kiwis go on holiday! Renowned wordwide for its natural beauty – misty rainforests and pristine golden beaches, the Coromandel is blessed with hundreds of natural hideaways, making it an ideal place to slow down, relax and unwind.
Cooks Beach
Flanked by Shakespeare Cliff to the west and the picnic spot of Purangi River to the east, this is a popular visitor destination. Explore Cooks Beach.
Kuaotunu
Once a thriving gold mining town, Kuaotunu offers a good beach, fishing and access – via the famous Black Jack Road – to the picturesque white sand beaches of Otama and Opito.
Getting Around
We hope you have a chance to visit some of these beautiful locations around Whitianga.
For more Whitianga information visit All About Whitianga.
Awesome Snapper
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