Fleur's Guidebook to Mercury Bay
Sightseeing
Cooks Beach and Purangi Estuary
About 15 minutes drive from Hahei (sign-posted as you drive out of Hahei).
• Cooks beach is a long flat beach, at either end are estuaries.
• Purangi Estuary - to the south end of the beach, lots of pine trees, shade and shallow swimming. Good for kayaking, boating (there is a boat ramp there) and paddleboarding. You can swim over to the other side to a rope swing but the tide is quite strong.
• North End of Cooks beach – grassy reserve and estuary, good at high tide especially for kids. Also you can swim a short distance around the headland to access a blowhole.
There is also a restaurant/bar in Cooks Beach called The Vessel, a fine dining restaurant called Go Vino and another restaurant call The Hive (on Purangi Road).
28 moradores locais recomendam
Cooks Beach
Cooks Beach and Purangi Estuary
About 15 minutes drive from Hahei (sign-posted as you drive out of Hahei).
• Cooks beach is a long flat beach, at either end are estuaries.
• Purangi Estuary - to the south end of the beach, lots of pine trees, shade and shallow swimming. Good for kayaking, boating (there is a boat ramp there) and paddleboarding. You can swim over to the other side to a rope swing but the tide is quite strong.
• North End of Cooks beach – grassy reserve and estuary, good at high tide especially for kids. Also you can swim a short distance around the headland to access a blowhole.
There is also a restaurant/bar in Cooks Beach called The Vessel, a fine dining restaurant called Go Vino and another restaurant call The Hive (on Purangi Road).
Beautiful views of Mercury Bay which puts the area in perspective
34 moradores locais recomendam
Shakespeare Cliff Lookout
Beautiful views of Mercury Bay which puts the area in perspective
Short walk to gorgeous beach off the beaten track. Has carpark at the entrance to track or otherwise longer walk if you add in Shakespeare Cliff lookout
29 moradores locais recomendam
Lonely Bay
Short walk to gorgeous beach off the beaten track. Has carpark at the entrance to track or otherwise longer walk if you add in Shakespeare Cliff lookout
Ferry Landing
This is the furthest most point before you reach the channel of water that separates Ferry Landing and Whitianga. It is about 20 minutes drive from Hahei, follow the signs. Carpark available for you to board foot ferry to Whitianga (5 minutes) cost $7 return per adult, children under 5 years free, there is eftpos on the ferry
23 moradores locais recomendam
Ferry Landing
Ferry Landing
This is the furthest most point before you reach the channel of water that separates Ferry Landing and Whitianga. It is about 20 minutes drive from Hahei, follow the signs. Carpark available for you to board foot ferry to Whitianga (5 minutes) cost $7 return per adult, children under 5 years free, there is eftpos on the ferry
Coromandel Town
Very quirky and alternative, an interesting place to visit with lots of history. About 1-1.5 hour drive from Hahei.
The 309 Road
This is a dirt road that links Whitianga and Coromandel Town. There is a longer sealed route as well but this road is quite well known. Lots to see here – waterfalls, bush walks, pigs, 309 Honey roadside stall. Check out the pamphlet in the clear file or this website www.mercurybay.co.nz/activities/309road.php
38 moradores locais recomendam
Coromandel
Coromandel Town
Very quirky and alternative, an interesting place to visit with lots of history. About 1-1.5 hour drive from Hahei.
The 309 Road
This is a dirt road that links Whitianga and Coromandel Town. There is a longer sealed route as well but this road is quite well known. Lots to see here – waterfalls, bush walks, pigs, 309 Honey roadside stall. Check out the pamphlet in the clear file or this website www.mercurybay.co.nz/activities/309road.php
Tairua
Lots going for it. Located 25 minutes away towards Auckland. Great cafes and restaurants. Also surf beaches and tidal estuaries.
• Flock for dinner www.flockkitchenandbar.com
• Two Tides Bakery to stop in for coffee and treats www.facebook.com/2tbakery
12 moradores locais recomendam
Tairua
Tairua
Lots going for it. Located 25 minutes away towards Auckland. Great cafes and restaurants. Also surf beaches and tidal estuaries.
• Flock for dinner www.flockkitchenandbar.com
• Two Tides Bakery to stop in for coffee and treats www.facebook.com/2tbakery
Coroglen
About 20 minutes drive from Hahei on the way to Whitianga. There is fresh water hole here by the bridge the road follows. Also it is where you access the Tapu-Coroglen road, a dirt road over the Tapu on the western side of the Coromandel Peninsula.
• Coroglen tavern - this is a famous pub here and they have large music gigs over the summer so it may pay to check out their website http://coroglentavern.co.nz.
• Whiti Farm Park – great for kids www.whitifarmpark.co.nz
• Mill Creek Bird Park - www.millcreekbirdpark.co.nz
• Whitianga Fun Zone – adventure and family park, based just out of Whitianga www.funzonewhitianga.co.nz
Coroglen
Coroglen
About 20 minutes drive from Hahei on the way to Whitianga. There is fresh water hole here by the bridge the road follows. Also it is where you access the Tapu-Coroglen road, a dirt road over the Tapu on the western side of the Coromandel Peninsula.
• Coroglen tavern - this is a famous pub here and they have large music gigs over the summer so it may pay to check out their website http://coroglentavern.co.nz.
• Whiti Farm Park – great for kids www.whitifarmpark.co.nz
• Mill Creek Bird Park - www.millcreekbirdpark.co.nz
• Whitianga Fun Zone – adventure and family park, based just out of Whitianga www.funzonewhitianga.co.nz
Hot Water Beach
10 minutes drive, follow the signs out of Hahei. Famous for it’s hot water spring half way down the beach. Take your spade at low tide and dig a hot pool but be prepared for crowds. We are happy to lend you a spade or you can rent one either from the Hahei or Hot Water Beach General Stores.
• Moko Gallery
• Hotties Restaurant
• Hot Water Beach General Store – gifts, icecream, coffee
202 moradores locais recomendam
Praia de Água Quente
Hot Water Beach
10 minutes drive, follow the signs out of Hahei. Famous for it’s hot water spring half way down the beach. Take your spade at low tide and dig a hot pool but be prepared for crowds. We are happy to lend you a spade or you can rent one either from the Hahei or Hot Water Beach General Stores.
• Moko Gallery
• Hotties Restaurant
• Hot Water Beach General Store – gifts, icecream, coffee
- Walk from the listing either up Grange road (by the shops) or up the bush track from the beach (North end) - it takes about 20-30 minutes to reach the top of the Cathederal Cove track. Then actual track is about 30 minutes each way.
•- There is now another entrance to the Cathedral Cove track. It is a private carpark and walking track ‘Cathederal Cove Gateway’ that can be accessed from Lees Road (10 minutes out of Hahei towards Cooks Beach) – it is signposted. Cost for parking is $10 and the walk to Cathedral Cove is 30 minutes.
- You cannot Park at the top of the track or on Grange road. However you can catch a shuttle from the carpark at the entrance of Hahei Village which operates continually over summertime.
148 moradores locais recomendam
Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve
- Walk from the listing either up Grange road (by the shops) or up the bush track from the beach (North end) - it takes about 20-30 minutes to reach the top of the Cathederal Cove track. Then actual track is about 30 minutes each way.
•- There is now another entrance to the Cathedral Cove track. It is a private carpark and walking track ‘Cathederal Cove Gateway’ that can be accessed from Lees Road (10 minutes out of Hahei towards Cooks Beach) – it is signposted. Cost for parking is $10 and the walk to Cathedral Cove is 30 minutes.
- You cannot Park at the top of the track or on Grange road. However you can catch a shuttle from the carpark at the entrance of Hahei Village which operates continually over summertime.
Food scene
Plenty to do here!!
Check out this website www.whitianga.co.nz. Also this is the main centre for shopping so you can find New World, Countdown supermarkets, The Warehouse, Placemakers, Kupes Carwash, GP surgeries etc here.
• The Harbour House Café across the road from the wharf where the ferry arrives and from the main waterfront playground. A definite must for great coffee, muffins and other delights! https://www.facebook.com/theharbourhousecafe/
• The Blue Ginger is amazing! However does not serve alcohol but food makes up for it… specials board for ever changing Asian fusion and Polynesian inspired food www.blueginger.co.nz
42 moradores locais recomendam
Whitianga
Plenty to do here!!
Check out this website www.whitianga.co.nz. Also this is the main centre for shopping so you can find New World, Countdown supermarkets, The Warehouse, Placemakers, Kupes Carwash, GP surgeries etc here.
• The Harbour House Café across the road from the wharf where the ferry arrives and from the main waterfront playground. A definite must for great coffee, muffins and other delights! https://www.facebook.com/theharbourhousecafe/
• The Blue Ginger is amazing! However does not serve alcohol but food makes up for it… specials board for ever changing Asian fusion and Polynesian inspired food www.blueginger.co.nz