|
whitianga
 A
limestone cathedral archway and a bubbling hot spring are just
two of the surprises you will find on beaches around Whitianga.
This thriving seaside town in Mercury Bay is just two hours drive
from Auckland over the rugged Coromandel Range. Its popularity
knows no bounds in summer when holiday crowds throng to the
shops, cafés and restaurants. Colourful murals adorn the
exterior walls of commercial buildings. They depict the
pioneering life of the district. The Mercury Bay Museum by the
wharf has interesting displays on Captain Cook, Maori artefacts,
kauri gum, minerals and local shipwrecks.
Whitianga is renowned for its superb white sand beaches and
sheltered waters. Buffalo and Simpson’s Beaches are just
north of the town within walking distance. Front, Flaxmill and
Cook’s Beaches can be reached on foot after taking the five
minute ferry ride from Whitianga wharf to Ferry Landing. The
landing has the distinction of being the oldest stone wharf in
New Zealand. Overlooking Cook’s Beach is the Shakespeare
Cliff Lookout where a granite memorial marks the site where
Captain Cook observed the 1769 transit of the planet Mercury.
The two best-known beaches are south of Whitianga. Taking the
Whenuakite turn-off a short drive brings you to Hahei, which has
a magnificent beach with offshore islands and a marine reserve. A
coastal walking track with spectacular scenery leads to Cathedral
Cove. It is fun to walk through the stunning rock cavern from one
cove to the next. Further south is Hot Water Beach, where thermal
water bubbles up through the sand two hours either side of low
tide. Here you can dig your own personal hot pool. It’s a
refreshing experience to plunge into the cool sea and then soak
in the thermal pool.
Whitianga is a big-game fishing base for tuna, marlin, mako and
thresher sharks. Many charter boats ply the waters of Mercury Bay
for scenic cruising, fishing, diving, whale watching and dolphin
swimming. On land, guided tramps, quad bike safaris and horse
treks are available.
Whitianga has some of our finest coastal scenery and beaches.
|
