The Coromandel
andel town Corom Maramaratotara Bay, Whitianga © Adobe Stock LEFT: Cape Colville © Destination Coromandel BELOW: Ice cream, Kūaotunu Store © AATP
Whitianga
Thames Colville Swimming Beaches All within an eight to 13-minute drive from Colville, discover andelbeaches town romswimming o C beautiful at Waitētē Bay, Amodeo Bay and Ōtautu Bay. The latter two have campgrounds. Hereford ‘n’ a Pickle Farm Shop & Café Pick up meat and produce sourced directly from the farm. Home-made items line the shelves and the café serves thick hot chocolate and fresh fruit ice cream.
Whitianga
Thames
Coromandel Coastal Walkway At the top tip of The Coromandel, the ‘last frontier’ is a 20km return/ seven-hour return walk (rated as easy) for hikers. Alternatively, arrange a shuttle and make it a more leisurely 10km oneway walk.
Whangamatā Shorebird
Coast
Whangamatā Whitianga Ferry Connecting Ferry Landing to Whitianga via a sevenminute passenger ferry.
Festival, this annual event occurs each September.
Bike Up The Coast Hire a bike from The Bike Man in Whitianga, take it on the ferry and zip along the coast to Hahei and surrounds.
waters at adult-orientated Lost Spring Spa. With fluffy white towels, a full cocktail list, a la carte menu and luxury spa treatments, it’s just the ticket.
ew Chum N e b Shor ird The Lost Spring Sink into thermal
Coast
Cooks Beach Boasting a 3km stretch of white sand, Cook’s Beach is walkable from Shakespeare Cliff Lookout, with Lonely Bay sandwiched in between. The latter is seldom busy.
Mercury Bay Art Escape Over the first two weekends in March 2022, visit more than 50 artists and open studios around Mercury Bay.
Hauraki
Cove
12
KūAOTUNu
to stroke a big fluffy alpaca or pat the ears of a hee-hawing donkey. Hand feed a range of animals from rare sheep to wallabies and don’t forget to say hello to the ostrich, she’s one large assertive lady.
Cathedral
Mercury Islands Just over an hour from Whitianga wharf. Day trips with Windborne Charters sail to secret swimming and snorkelling spots.
vCreek e Bird Park and Animal CoMill Encounters Come and see all
Whitianga Oceans Festival Formerly the Whitianga Scallop
sorts of big, bright and wonderful birds and hand feed the pigs, ducks,
New Chum Hauraki Beach Plains
KūAOTUNu Cathedral
Beach
inFarm s Park Depending on PlaWhiti your petting bravery, you might like
Dive Aldermen Islands (Ruamaahu) One of the best openwater dive sites in New Zealand, charters operate out of Whitianga and Tairua.
New Chum Beach © Adobe Stock
Secret Beach With no road access, reaching this remote beach requires a scramble over the rocks and a 30-minute bush walk. The trees will open to reveal an icy-white paradise.
horses, llamas and donkey. Marvel at the sashaying peacock and jump aboard the miniature train ride. There’s a small picnic and play area for day trippers as well as camp sites and cabins for overnight stays.
New Chum Lookout About 20 minutes into the walk, look out for signage warning of a hazardous right-hand path. Take the route less travelled – it ascends up the cliff and over the tree roots to a stunning elevated lookout; likely the one you’ve seen splashed across social media.
The Killer Cone Kūaotunu Store serves an immense five flavour, 10-scoop ice cream for a remarkable $9. Seeing is believing. Luke’s Kitchen Located in Kūaotunu, 20 minutes from Whangapoua, inventive flavours are a feature of Luke’s wood-fired pizzas and they are so good, diners descend here in droves. Stargazers Astronomy Tour & B&B Look beyond Orion's Belt with a 90-minute stargazing tour. For both casual visitors and guests staying at this B&B, the research grade telescope captures every constellation.
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