Fun family activities in the Coromandel - Whitianga & Mercury Bay
The Mercury Bay area of the Coromandel Peninsula is an area of stunning beaches and bays. Azure blue waters roll onto clean white sands, while protective arms of bush clad hills shelter the bays and further enhance the scenic splendour of the area. Mercury Bay is a very popular holiday destination and during the summer months the population swells considerably. For the rest of the year a relaxed, away from it all, atmosphere prevails.
Whitianga is the main settlement of Mercury Bay, an attractive township with a deepwater harbour. The wharf in the centre of town is the departure point for fishing enthusiasts, charter boats and scenic cruising. An enjoyable excursion for young and old is the ferry crossing across the river to Ferry Landing. Passengers alight at the oldest stone wharf in Australasia.
A short walk up the hill from the ferry leads to Front Beach then on to Flaxmill Bay. You can hire a bike and explore further to Cooks Beach and beyond. There are many fabulous beaches, walking tracks and great scenery to take in.
Further south is situated Coromandel’s first marine reserve, officially designated in early 1992. It is easily accessed from Hahei Beach and Cathedral Cove.
South again is wonderful Hot Water Beach, so named because of the hot springs that surface on the sand two hours either side of low tide. You can take a spade & dig your own hot pool.
There are many great places to discover – for more info please check out Destination Coromandels website: www.thecoromandel.com
Come and enjoy the beautiful Mercury Bay with us!
Discover more things to do in Whitianga.
Local Activities and Coromandel Visiting Places Links
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Grace O’Malleys
When you’re looking for dining options in Whitianga with that extra special something, you can rely on Grace O’Malley’s Irish Inn. We offer good food, great beer & wine and one of the best views in Whitianga.
Fun Zone Whitianga
Family & Adventure Park – Come and Have a blast! Argo Rides, Out door Laser Tag, Archery, Kids Quadz, Pony Rides, Soccer Golf, aLser Clay Bird Shooting, Paintball Target Shooting Combat Paintball and much more…
Espy Cafe
Delicious cabinet and menu food, with a spacious deck overlooking the Whitianga wharf, estuary channel and Ferry landing. A park across the road for the kids…. absolute bliss….come and enjoy!
Mercury Bay Museum
The Mercury Bay Museum has an intriguing range of exhibits to view including the Polynesian navigator Kupe, Endeavour and James Cook, Shipwrecks in the Bay, Natural history display and History of fishing, Kauri timber and kauri gum and much more.
The Lost Spring
Imagine you’ve gone for a walk in the Coromandel bush. The sun is glinting off wet leaves. Native birds abound in lush foliage. Waterfalls descend a volcanic outcrop into effervescent pools. You put your toe in the water… and it’s warm.