Cindy’s guidebook
Sightseeing
Cathedral Cove
Well worth either taking a charter boat, or a kayak trip to Cathedral Cove. You can drive to Hahei from Whitianga (about 30 minutes drive) and catch a bus to the top and walk down to the beach, or you can catch a water taxi. Beautiful spot as shown in popular movies, with white sand, cathedral like rock structures and good snorkling/swimming. This is a marine reserve, so no fishing or taking of wildlife. No food or drink venders are available at the beach, so take food and water with you and please take your rubbish home with you.
148 locals recommend
Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve
Well worth either taking a charter boat, or a kayak trip to Cathedral Cove. You can drive to Hahei from Whitianga (about 30 minutes drive) and catch a bus to the top and walk down to the beach, or you can catch a water taxi. Beautiful spot as shown in popular movies, with white sand, cathedral like rock structures and good snorkling/swimming. This is a marine reserve, so no fishing or taking of wildlife. No food or drink venders are available at the beach, so take food and water with you and please take your rubbish home with you.
Check out Hot Water Beach whilst in the Coromandel Peninsular. Check with the information centre or online to find out the low tide times. Make sure you get there an hour before low tide so you have time to dig yourself a hole and watch it fill with hot water. Lots of fun to lie in your hole as the tide comes back in and starts filling up with the cooler sea water. Always busy with tourists but a must do whilst in the area.
202 locals recommend
Hot Water Beach
Check out Hot Water Beach whilst in the Coromandel Peninsular. Check with the information centre or online to find out the low tide times. Make sure you get there an hour before low tide so you have time to dig yourself a hole and watch it fill with hot water. Lots of fun to lie in your hole as the tide comes back in and starts filling up with the cooler sea water. Always busy with tourists but a must do whilst in the area.
Drive around to Hahei Beach from Whitianga (about 30 minutes) or catch a boat. Gorgeous beach with white sand and you can catch a water taxi to Cathedral Cove.
22 locals recommend
Hahei
Drive around to Hahei Beach from Whitianga (about 30 minutes) or catch a boat. Gorgeous beach with white sand and you can catch a water taxi to Cathedral Cove.
Take a trip on the Whitanga Ferry across the estuary. Walk to Front Beach, Flaxmill Bay or walk/ride a bike to Cooks Beach. You can carry on to Hahei and Hot Water beach from this side but really require transport.
23 locals recommend
Ferry Landing
Take a trip on the Whitanga Ferry across the estuary. Walk to Front Beach, Flaxmill Bay or walk/ride a bike to Cooks Beach. You can carry on to Hahei and Hot Water beach from this side but really require transport.
Fantastic spot for young and old. Unique and well worth a visit. Lots of activities like flying foxes, water cannons and swings etc. A lovely river to jump and swim in and lots of areas to sit and picnic. Cafe on sight and ice-creams etc.
51 locals recommend
The Waterworks
471 The 309 RoadFantastic spot for young and old. Unique and well worth a visit. Lots of activities like flying foxes, water cannons and swings etc. A lovely river to jump and swim in and lots of areas to sit and picnic. Cafe on sight and ice-creams etc.
Worth a visit if you haven't been and then check out the township and eateries in Coromandel Township.
106 locals recommend
Driving Creek
380 Driving Creek RdWorth a visit if you haven't been and then check out the township and eateries in Coromandel Township.
Voted one of the top 5 beaches in the World. Walk from Whangapoa around the rocks and through the Pongas and ferns on the other side to New Chums Beach. No shops etc when you get there, so take water, drinks and food with you and remember to take all your rubbish home with you.
84 locals recommend
New Chums Beach
Voted one of the top 5 beaches in the World. Walk from Whangapoa around the rocks and through the Pongas and ferns on the other side to New Chums Beach. No shops etc when you get there, so take water, drinks and food with you and remember to take all your rubbish home with you.
Such a beautiful spot! Two hot pools, grottos, gorgeous gardens. You will feel like you are on a tropical island in the middle of suburban Whitianga.
Able to drink cocktails in or around the pools and food and platters are good. Don't leave without paying a visit.
122 locals recommend
The Lost Spring
121A Cook DrSuch a beautiful spot! Two hot pools, grottos, gorgeous gardens. You will feel like you are on a tropical island in the middle of suburban Whitianga.
Able to drink cocktails in or around the pools and food and platters are good. Don't leave without paying a visit.
Worth a drive. Stop in Kuatuna for an ice-cream (world famous and massive) and then carry on over the hill to Opito Bay. Safe beach and you can walk across farmland to Crayfish Bay.
12 locals recommend
Opito Bay Beach
Opito Bay RoadWorth a drive. Stop in Kuatuna for an ice-cream (world famous and massive) and then carry on over the hill to Opito Bay. Safe beach and you can walk across farmland to Crayfish Bay.
Definitely worth a visit. Fantastic little 18 hole mini putt course. Based on a New Zealand book and all it's characters - a really gorgeous little course.
7 locals recommend
Birdwood Springs Mini Putt
67 Joan Gaskell DrDefinitely worth a visit. Fantastic little 18 hole mini putt course. Based on a New Zealand book and all it's characters - a really gorgeous little course.
A lovely little twin theatre for those days when you just want to zone out. Look online for the latest times and movie selections available.
10 locals recommend
Mercury Twin Cinemas
1 Lee StA lovely little twin theatre for those days when you just want to zone out. Look online for the latest times and movie selections available.
Food scene
Fantastic place to stop for a drink, wood fired pizza or fabulous fish and chips. Always busy so you may have to wait for a seat but well worth it.
119 locals recommend
Lukes Kitchen
20 Black Jack RdFantastic place to stop for a drink, wood fired pizza or fabulous fish and chips. Always busy so you may have to wait for a seat but well worth it.
Fabulous Asian Cuisine. From Port Belly Bahn Mi, Pho Ga, noodle dishes and delish little bites like smoked fish wontons and dumplings, you will definitely not be disappointed.
54 locals recommend
Blue Ginger
10 Blacksmith LnFabulous Asian Cuisine. From Port Belly Bahn Mi, Pho Ga, noodle dishes and delish little bites like smoked fish wontons and dumplings, you will definitely not be disappointed.