Whitianga Must Do's

Glass Bottom Boat Tour

Explore above and below the surface on this two-hour cruise visiting Cathedral Cove with Whitianga’s Marine Reserve unfolding beneath your feet.

Whiti Farm Park

Depending on your petting bravery, you might like 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.

Mill Creek Bird Park and Animal Encounters

Come and see all sorts of big, bright and wonderful birds and hand feed the pigs, ducks, 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.

Whitianga Ferry

Connecting Ferry Landing to Whitianga via a seven-minute passenger ferry.

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.

Cooks Beach

Boasting a 3km stretch of white sand, Cooks Beach is walkable from Shakespeare Cliff Lookout, with Lonely Bay sandwiched in between. The latter is seldom busy.

Dive Ruamaahu/Aldermen Islands

One of the best open-waterdive sites in New Zealand, charters operate out of Whitianga and Tairua.

Mercury Islands

Just over an hour from Whitianga wharf. Day trips with Windborne Charters sail to secret swimming and snorkelling spots.

Whitianga Oceans Festival

Formerly the Whitianga Scallop Festival, this annual event occurs each September.

Whitianga Scallop Festival © www.scallopfestival.co.nz

The Lost Spring

Sink into thermal 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.

Looking for a place to stay in Whitianga? Book accommodation at aa.travel.co.nz

Sovereign Pier, Whitianga © Destination Coromandel