Discover Whitianga and Mercury Bay – on The Coromandel

About Whitianga and Mercury Bay

Whitianga is the main settlement of the Mercury Bay on the Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand. An attractive township with a deep-water harbour, Whitianga is a place where you can do a little or a lot – the pace of life can be as busy or as calm as you choose.

The Mercury Bay is an area of water on the eastern Coromandel Peninsula that encompasses a spectacular coast flanked by islands. The beautiful harbour has made Whitianga the home of the Mercury Bay Boating club and the main departure point for big game fishing enthusiasts and many other water activities.

An increasing popular New Zealand North Island summer get-a-way spot, Whitianga & the Mercury Bay region is located on the Eastern side of The Coromandel Peninsula, 208kms from Auckland, 93km from Thames, and 42 km from Tairua. Is it near some popular Coromandel tourist spots including Hahei, Catherdral Cove, and Hot Water Beach

With the world-renowned Coromandel Coast and the Cathedral Cove (Te Whanganui-A-Hei) Marine Reserve on its doorstep, you will find many charter boats plying the waters of Mercury Bay for fishing, diving or scenic cruising trips. The Whitianga Marina is a world class New Zealand ‘Clean Marina’ and a popular stop-off point for both local and international boat owners visiting the Coromandel Peninsula.

Whitianga has been continuously occupied for more than a thousand years since Maori explorer Kupe’s tribe settled here after his visit in about 950 A.D. Now a thriving coastal town with 4,000 permanent residents Whitianga is evolving into a delightful place to visit and fast becoming one New Zealand’s most popular North Island summer holiday destinations.

The traditional forms of accommodation are being upgraded with establishments of an international standard. Whitianga hosts a number of fun and exciting events throughout the year, and offers an excellent selection of fine restaurants and cafes, and a wide variety of accommodation to cater for everyone. The thriving retail community provides an interesting collection of outlets, and within a short drive, there are plenty of stunning beaches, scenic walks and beautiful sights waiting for you…

Things To Do In Whitianga

Visitors to the area are spoilt for choice, with a wide range of fun and interesting land-based and water-based activities and attractions for people of all ages on offer in and around Whitianga Township and the wider Mercury Bay area. There are fish to catch and shellfish to gather; the relatively sheltered waters of the bay are great for all water sports. On land there are bush walks and horse trekking over picturesque farmland; or check out the local artists who reside in our area, renowned for its inspirational landscape.

The Whitianga iSite Visitors Centre is located on the main street, and provides visitors to the region with easy access to detailed local information and advice along with a range of brochures, maps, schedules and timetables. The helpful staff at the iSite Visitors Centre will help you discover everything that Whitianga, the Mercury Bay and The Coromandel has to offer.

With its close proximity to other popular Coromandel tourist spots, the friendly staff at the Visitors Centre will be able to assist you in planning trips from Whitianga to some well known nearby New Zealand attractions including Kuaotunu & Matarangi, Hahei Beach & Cathedral Cove, Hot Water Beach and Cooks Beach.

From Whitianga you can easily make a day trip over the hill to Tairua or Pauanui. On The Coromandel’s West Coast you can enjoy a day exploring the Firth of Thames, or the historical Coromandel Township. Or if you take the road north up the Coromandel from Whitanga you will arrive at some beautiful Coromandel beaches such as Kuaotunu, Matarangi, Whangapoua and New Chums Beach.

Please browse our website to learn more about what to do in Whitianga and the surrounding areas. You can also check out our local business directory for detailed information and contact details for many of the regions local tour operators and activities, as well as accommodation, hospitality establishments and much more.

We look forward to welcoming you and we’re sure you will enjoy exploring this unique and special part of New Zealand. Please browse our site to learn about the many fun and interesting things to do on the Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand.

Where to eat in Whitianga

Whitianga is a haven of delight for the foodie. From gourmet burgers to Indian, Thai, Asian fusion, Pizzas and of course your regular pub lunch or the faithful takeaway. The Whitianga Scallop Festival is a large drawcard for quality seafood and of course celebrity chefs, this annual event has become a benchmark for the quality of restaurants in the area of Mercury Bay.

The café culture in the Whitianga is sophisticated, with strong community support and exciting menus to satisfy the whole family. Let’s not forget about the local pubs, and of course a pie and coffee from one of the many bakeries can be found from the early hours of the morning.

Retail therapy in Whitianga

Whitianga has no bounds on satisfying your retail needs. Whether you need a pair of designer shoes, branded surf baggies, quality linen or a boat, Whitianga has it. With a fast-growing population, the town’s retail market is growing from strength to strength.

Accommodation in Whitianga

There are many online accommodation options as well as 3 local holiday parks offering camping and chalets. Permanent rentals are usually short-lived as many of the homes are owner-occupied over the summer. However, there is currently a growth in property development and building of homes in Whitianga and the surrounding areas on the Coromandel Peninsula – so many options are available.

Live & work in Whitianga

Being a central business hub on the Coromandel Peninsula, Whitianga has many job opportunities although often seasonal. The Mercury Bay Area School is the largest area school on the North Island with now over 1000 students enrolled. With the area developing at the current rate, the need for professionals is on the increase and job opportunities will be on the rise.