Guidebook for Whitianga
Food Scene
Yum food selection and coffee. Lovely seating outside looking across to the wharf and river. Fabulous playground across the road for the kids.
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The harbour house cafe
11 EsplanadeYum food selection and coffee. Lovely seating outside looking across to the wharf and river. Fabulous playground across the road for the kids.
Delicious woodfired pizzas and other eats. Laid back atmosphere and right by the beach. Visit if you are on an adventure to Kuaotunu, Matarangi or Whangapoua, or heading over the Black Jack road to Otama and Opito.
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Lukes Kitchen
20 Black Jack RdDelicious woodfired pizzas and other eats. Laid back atmosphere and right by the beach. Visit if you are on an adventure to Kuaotunu, Matarangi or Whangapoua, or heading over the Black Jack road to Otama and Opito.
Quirky little place. Perfect place to stop in Flaxmill Bay on a trip across the Whitianga River by passenger ferry. Walk to Front Beach, Shakespears Cliff and Lonely Bay. All in an easy day walk.
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Eggsentric Cafe And Restaurant
1049 Purangi RdQuirky little place. Perfect place to stop in Flaxmill Bay on a trip across the Whitianga River by passenger ferry. Walk to Front Beach, Shakespears Cliff and Lonely Bay. All in an easy day walk.
Arts & Culture
Local history galore.
This year almost exactly 250 years to the day after Charles Green, an astronomer who arrived in Aotearoa on Captain Cook’s first voyage pointed his telescope skywards to observe a rare transit of the planet Mercury across the face of the sun, the innermost planet in our solar system will once again cross the bright solar disk as seen from Aotearoa.
A partnership of cultural and scientific organisations across New Zealand are taking part in “Te Mahutatanga o Takero, Mercury rising” a week-long, nationally coordinated, programme of inspirational science activities which will utilise a rare transit of Mercury across the sun that fortuitously coincides with the timing of Cook’s observation of the very same phenomenon 250 years (& 2 days) earlier.
For more information visit the Mercury Rising website:
https://www.mercuryrisingproject.com/
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Museum Building
11 The EsplanadeLocal history galore.
This year almost exactly 250 years to the day after Charles Green, an astronomer who arrived in Aotearoa on Captain Cook’s first voyage pointed his telescope skywards to observe a rare transit of the planet Mercury across the face of the sun, the innermost planet in our solar system will once again cross the bright solar disk as seen from Aotearoa.
A partnership of cultural and scientific organisations across New Zealand are taking part in “Te Mahutatanga o Takero, Mercury rising” a week-long, nationally coordinated, programme of inspirational science activities which will utilise a rare transit of Mercury across the sun that fortuitously coincides with the timing of Cook’s observation of the very same phenomenon 250 years (& 2 days) earlier.
For more information visit the Mercury Rising website:
https://www.mercuryrisingproject.com/
Parks & Nature
One of our favourite day trips: Take the passenger ferry from the Whitianga wharf over to Ferry Landing. Walk over the hill to visit the stunning Front Beach. Follow the beach (if low tide) around to your right/east, or take the roadside footpath a few hundred metres around to Flaxmill Bay - calmer than Front beach and very safe for young ones to swim.
Across the road is Eggcentric Cafe.
Take the cliff path from far side of Flaxmill Bay up to the Shakespears Cliff Lookout for panoramic views of the entire bay.
Looking east you will see the open sweep of Cooks Beach and in between is Lonely Bay. A short track will take you down. The whole trip is less than 3km one way.
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Lonely Bay
One of our favourite day trips: Take the passenger ferry from the Whitianga wharf over to Ferry Landing. Walk over the hill to visit the stunning Front Beach. Follow the beach (if low tide) around to your right/east, or take the roadside footpath a few hundred metres around to Flaxmill Bay - calmer than Front beach and very safe for young ones to swim.
Across the road is Eggcentric Cafe.
Take the cliff path from far side of Flaxmill Bay up to the Shakespears Cliff Lookout for panoramic views of the entire bay.
Looking east you will see the open sweep of Cooks Beach and in between is Lonely Bay. A short track will take you down. The whole trip is less than 3km one way.
The 15th largest kauri on the Coromandel Peninsula.
Estimated to be 1,200 years old, this tree has an unusual square-looking trunk.
The walking track to the tree is short but steep with 187 steps.
From the viewing area you get good views across to Maumaupaki (Camels Back) on the main Coromandel Range.
Getting there
Located just west of the Tapu-Coroglen Road summit.
Remember: Kauri Dieback Disease is killing our native kauri. It spreads by soil movement, but you can help prevent it.
Stay away from kauri tree roots.
Clean your footwear before and after visiting kauri forest.
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Square Kauri
Tapu Coroglen RoadThe 15th largest kauri on the Coromandel Peninsula.
Estimated to be 1,200 years old, this tree has an unusual square-looking trunk.
The walking track to the tree is short but steep with 187 steps.
From the viewing area you get good views across to Maumaupaki (Camels Back) on the main Coromandel Range.
Getting there
Located just west of the Tapu-Coroglen Road summit.
Remember: Kauri Dieback Disease is killing our native kauri. It spreads by soil movement, but you can help prevent it.
Stay away from kauri tree roots.
Clean your footwear before and after visiting kauri forest.
Bubbling hot springs - Hot Water Beach is best visited two hours either side of low-tide. If you arrive at high tide the hot springs will be under water. Spades can be hired but best to bring your own or buy a cheap one at the Glasshouse in Whitianga.
A really fab experience - but be prepared for large crowds almost any time of year.
Also a great place for a long beach stroll or to head out when the surfs up.
SAFETY: Hot Water Beach has very strong currents, dangerous rips and holes which can make it unsafe. Please swim between the flags and make sure children, friends and family are supervised at all times.
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Hot Water Beach
Bubbling hot springs - Hot Water Beach is best visited two hours either side of low-tide. If you arrive at high tide the hot springs will be under water. Spades can be hired but best to bring your own or buy a cheap one at the Glasshouse in Whitianga.
A really fab experience - but be prepared for large crowds almost any time of year.
Also a great place for a long beach stroll or to head out when the surfs up.
SAFETY: Hot Water Beach has very strong currents, dangerous rips and holes which can make it unsafe. Please swim between the flags and make sure children, friends and family are supervised at all times.
A gorgeous beach with both white and black sand.
Great for a stroll and exploring - watch the children in the water as the waves can often dump depending on the tide.
Historically it was home to the ancient Wharetaewa Pa, which was established in 1150AD and occupied for many generations until an attack on its inhabitants in 1880. It is also the place in 1769 where Captain Cook and his crew experienced their first official Powhiri and welcome on New Zealand soil at Wharetaewa Pa.
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Wharekaho
A gorgeous beach with both white and black sand.
Great for a stroll and exploring - watch the children in the water as the waves can often dump depending on the tide.
Historically it was home to the ancient Wharetaewa Pa, which was established in 1150AD and occupied for many generations until an attack on its inhabitants in 1880. It is also the place in 1769 where Captain Cook and his crew experienced their first official Powhiri and welcome on New Zealand soil at Wharetaewa Pa.
The most beautiful beach - lined with Pohutukawa trees which will be flowering over Christmas.
Crystal clear water and often quiet.
Drive from Whitianga north over the hill to Kuaotunu. Go through the village and continue over the Black Jack road to Otama. There is limited shade under pohutakawas to the left - bring an umbrella or shade tent if you can.
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Otama Beach
The most beautiful beach - lined with Pohutukawa trees which will be flowering over Christmas.
Crystal clear water and often quiet.
Drive from Whitianga north over the hill to Kuaotunu. Go through the village and continue over the Black Jack road to Otama. There is limited shade under pohutakawas to the left - bring an umbrella or shade tent if you can.
Take a 1 hour loop bush walk around the Waitaia Track. Beautiful nikau and puriri forest as well as old gold mine shafts with glow worms and wetas galore! Access off the Waitaia road in Kuaotunu.
Waitaia Road
Waitaia RoadTake a 1 hour loop bush walk around the Waitaia Track. Beautiful nikau and puriri forest as well as old gold mine shafts with glow worms and wetas galore! Access off the Waitaia road in Kuaotunu.
The reserve from the boat ramp back to Lovers Rock is a great place to explore. It's straight across the road and our kids favourite place to disappear for an hour or two - playing hide and seek, taking turns on the big swing, climbing on the Pohutakawas along the rivers edge or looking for crabs down on the estuarine flats.
Robinson Road
Robinson RoadThe reserve from the boat ramp back to Lovers Rock is a great place to explore. It's straight across the road and our kids favourite place to disappear for an hour or two - playing hide and seek, taking turns on the big swing, climbing on the Pohutakawas along the rivers edge or looking for crabs down on the estuarine flats.
The 309 Road is an iconic 22km winding stretch of road that has many beautiful spots. Travel 7km out of town on the SH25 south towards Coroglen for the start of the 309 Road. Take your time on the road - much of it is gravel and very narrow so you'll really need to take care.
First stop, the waterhole, is 3km from the start of this road on your left just after the quarry. The road is still all sealed to this point. Perfect for a swim in a crisp and clear stream with rope swings and some great jumps.
Over this hill is both the Waiau Kauri Grove and the Waiau Falls. Lovely spots short walks from the road.
And near the end of the road (towards the west coast of the peninsula) is The Waterworks - a fun park with all sorts of hydraulic activities and whacky kiwi fun.
Just before you pop out on the coast you'll drive by Stu's place with the pigs - you just have to see it to believe it.
And if you get all the way over you'll see the Coromandel Mussel Kitchen on the intersection with the coast road - or you might want to head right (North) to see Coromandel township itself. It's a gorgeous little town with interesting cafes and craft shops.
The 309 Road
The 309 RoadThe 309 Road is an iconic 22km winding stretch of road that has many beautiful spots. Travel 7km out of town on the SH25 south towards Coroglen for the start of the 309 Road. Take your time on the road - much of it is gravel and very narrow so you'll really need to take care.
First stop, the waterhole, is 3km from the start of this road on your left just after the quarry. The road is still all sealed to this point. Perfect for a swim in a crisp and clear stream with rope swings and some great jumps.
Over this hill is both the Waiau Kauri Grove and the Waiau Falls. Lovely spots short walks from the road.
And near the end of the road (towards the west coast of the peninsula) is The Waterworks - a fun park with all sorts of hydraulic activities and whacky kiwi fun.
Just before you pop out on the coast you'll drive by Stu's place with the pigs - you just have to see it to believe it.
And if you get all the way over you'll see the Coromandel Mussel Kitchen on the intersection with the coast road - or you might want to head right (North) to see Coromandel township itself. It's a gorgeous little town with interesting cafes and craft shops.
Add this onto a swim at Otama and pizzas and a beer at Luke's Kitchen in Kuaotunu for the perfect day. (or world's biggest ice creams at Kuaotunu store if Luke's is closed)
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Opito Bay Beach
Opito Bay RoadAdd this onto a swim at Otama and pizzas and a beer at Luke's Kitchen in Kuaotunu for the perfect day. (or world's biggest ice creams at Kuaotunu store if Luke's is closed)
Sightseeing
If your kids like fishing the Whiti wharf is a great place to dip your reel in and watch the boats come and go. You can even dig with your toes in the sand at the harbour mouth at low tide to find pipis for bait. There is also a spot designated for jumping off - great fun at high/slack tide.
Whitianga Wharf
The EsplanadeIf your kids like fishing the Whiti wharf is a great place to dip your reel in and watch the boats come and go. You can even dig with your toes in the sand at the harbour mouth at low tide to find pipis for bait. There is also a spot designated for jumping off - great fun at high/slack tide.
The Lost Spring
121A Cook DrEssentials
Countdown does not use plastic bags for packing. We have lots of re-useable carry bags for you to borrow. They are hanging up in the laundry.
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Whitianga Countdown
24 Joan Gaskell DrCountdown does not use plastic bags for packing. We have lots of re-useable carry bags for you to borrow. They are hanging up in the laundry.