|
|
Cooks
Beach
is
situated just South of Whitianga.
Cooks Beach is a 3km crescent of
fine golden sand with safe waters flanked
by Shakespeare Cliff to the west and the
picnic spot of the Purangi River to the
east and can be accessed via Highway 25
(taking the Hot Water Beach turn off) or
from Whitianga by passenger Ferry to Ferry
Landing; from there it's a 5 minute drive
by taxi.
Shakespeare
Cliff
Located
between Cooks Beach and Flaxmill Bay is
Shakespeare's Cliff, an interesting scenic
reserve.
A
very short track leads to a vantage point
with memorable views of Mercury Bay.
At the site a cairn records the arrival
in 1769 of the HMS Endeavour under the command
of Lieutenant Captain Cook.
"No sea can hurt her..." The famous words
of Captain James Cook referring to the original
H.M.S. Endeavour. (Image below shows the
famous HMS Endeavour replica)
Hot
Water Beach
Visitors
flock to Hot Water Beach for the unique
experience of digging their own natural
pool. Within a certain area, naturally occurring
hot water bubbles up to fill holes dug in
the sand. Bring a shovel for easy digging
or hire one from the Hot Water Beach Store
next to the carpark.
|
|
|
Hahei
/ Cathedral Cove
Accessible
only on foot or by boat, famous Cathedral
Cove is one of the "must visit"
sites on the Coromandel Peninsula. The track
begins at the northern end of Hahei.
Hahei
/ Te Pare Point
The
Te Pare point historic reserve at the southern
end of Hahei Beach is the site of a pa occupied
by the Ngati Hei people.
Marine
Reserve, Te Whanganui-A-Hei covers
9 square kilometres and is New Zealand's
sixth marine reserve. It is administered
by the Department of Conservation. This
site was chosen for a marine reserve because
of the rich and varied habitats associated
with the coastline and outlying islands.
Reefs of hard rock, soft sediments, intricate
caves and underwater arches provide homes
for complex communities of plants, crustacea,
moluscs and fish. Sheltered from the worst
of the southerly winds Te Whanganui-A-Hei
gives visitors and unparalleled opportunity
to learn from and enjoy an unspoilt marine
environment. Information
signs with maps are located at Hahei Beach,
Wigmore Stream, Cooks Beach and Whitianga
launching ramps, showing the reserve boundaries
as well as other information about the reserve.
(map)
The actual boundary is marked by large white
posts placed on the islands and at each
end of the mainland boundary.
Whitianga
For
many people coming to Whitianga, fishing
is the major draw. But there are also scenic
cruises, kayak trips, fishing, windsurfing,
sailing, diving and safe swimming.
|
|
|
Buffalo
Beach
The H.M.S. Buffalo was wrecked
in 1840 off Buffalo Beach while collecting
kauri spars. Today the beach offers safe
swimming, good fishing and shellfish collecting.
Further north is Wharekaho Beach where the
area’s main Maori Pa was situated.
Wharekaho
& Kuaotunu
Wharekaho (Simpsons Beach)
has a sheltered, good swimming beach. Take
in the spectacular views overlooking the
Mercury Bay from the highest mountain in
Whitianga, Mt. Maungatawhiri only accessible
through our excusive tour. The old Pohutukawa
trees described by Captain Cook still stand
today. Kuaotunu - once a thrivig gold mining
town, offers a good beach and excellent
fishing. Otama, Opito & Matapaua Bay are
appoached by the Black Jack Road. Beautiful
white sandy beaches offer good swimming
& surfcasting.
Matarangi
& Whangapoua
Lying halfway between Whitianga
and Coromandel town on the picturesque Pacific
Coast Highway, Matarangi is a scenic 2.5
hours drive from Auckland, Hamilton or Tauranga.
A fully serviced housing resort, Matarangi
is the secluded sand spit that forms the
northern edge of the Whangapoua Harbour.
Whangapoua has a good surf beach and a large
harbour. Just north of Whangapoua beach,
a pleasant 30 minute walk brings you to
the secluded New Chums beach. Opera Point,
just south of Whangapoua, preserves an ancient
pa and a 19th century sawmill site.
|
|
