Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
the United States
Mexico
the Dominican Republic
South Africa
Australia
Fiji
Before you go
Your trip to Whitianga.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Whitianga – Waikato Destination Coromandel Peninsula about 190 km from Hamilton (Kirikiriroa)
How to get there
-
Parada de ônibus de Whitianga 1 km
-
Cais de Whitianga (barco para Ferry Landing) 1 km
Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.
From Auckland it’s about 200 km by car, taking 2.5–3 hours, or by scheduled bus, which also runs from Hamilton. On the other side of the harbour a passenger boat crosses to Ferry Landing in a few minutes; by car you must drive around the harbour, taking about 40 minutes.
How many days
One day for Buffalo Beach, the museum and Shakespeare Cliff. As a base for the peninsula, two to three days to include Cathedral Cove, Hot Water Beach and a boat trip.
When to go
From December to March, with warm days and the sea suitable for boating and beach activities. Between Christmas and the end of January the town fills up with holiday visitors. March and April are usually more settled and quieter.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
Not in the town centre: the beach, wharf and museum are all close by. To reach Hahei, Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach, a car is the most practical option; there are also organized tours and boats that depart from the wharf.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Whitianga
-
Morning
Museum and wharf
Start at the Mercury Bay Museum next to the wharf and watch the departure of the sightseeing boats.
-
Afternoon
Ferry Landing and Shakespeare Cliff
Cross the harbour by boat to Ferry Landing and walk along Flaxmill Bay to the Shakespeare Cliff viewpoint. Descend to Lonely Bay for a swim.
-
Late afternoon
Buffalo Beach
Return by boat and walk along the Buffalo Beach promenade to the memorial with the HMS Buffalo anchor.
-
Evening
Whitianga town centre
Have dinner at one of the town centre restaurants near the waterfront.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
Whitianga or Hahei: where to stay?
Whitianga has more accommodation, restaurants and services. Hahei is smaller and closer to Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach.
How to get from Whitianga to Cathedral Cove?
By car to Hahei in about 35 minutes, then by the walking track, or by sightseeing boat from Whitianga wharf.
What is Ferry Landing in Whitianga?
It is the wharf on the far side of the harbour, linked to the town centre by a short passenger boat. From there you can reach Shakespeare Cliff and Cooks Beach.
Is there a bus to Whitianga?
Yes, scheduled buses connect Auckland and Hamilton with Whitianga. Public transport within the peninsula is limited.