Whitianga Travel Guide

Don’t miss Whitianga’s top attractions!

Cathedral Cove

Enter the white sand beach through a natural rock archway, the perfect frame for your photos of the rocky islands and clear waters of this marine reserve.

Cooks Beach

Thick forest leads down to this popular swimming beach in Mercury Bay, where explorer Captain Cook anchored in 1769.

Hahei Beach

Nestled between some of the Bay of Plenty’s most popular attractions, this tiny coastal hamlet is a great base for exploring the North Island.

Hot Water Beach

Dig your own pool in the warm sand and soak in the waters of a natural hot springs when you visit one of New Zealand’s most beautiful beaches.

Lonely Bay Beach

Plan for a day of peace and quiet at this secret spot reached by traversing a trail along a cliff face.

Shakespeare Cliff Lookout

Surrounded by a nature reserve, this scenic lookout offers picnic areas, walking trails and stunning photo opportunities of beaches with aquamarine water lapping white sand.

Where to stay in Whitianga

Beachside Resort Whitianga

20 Eyre Street

Rated 4.6 / 5 by Guests

This family-friendly Whitianga motel is located near the airport, just steps from Mercury Bay and Buffalo Beach. Hot Water Beach and Hahei Beach are also within 25 mi (40 km).

Oceanside Motel

32 Buffalo Beach Road

Rated 4.4 / 5 by Guests

Situated in Whitianga, this beach motel is within a 15-minute walk of Lost Spring Thermal Pools, Mercury Bay Museum, and Mercury Bay. Buffalo Beach and Flaxmill Bay Camp Grounds are also within 1 mi (2 km).

Sovereign Pier on the Waterways

73 South Highway

Rated 5.0 / 5 by Guests

Situated in Whitianga, this luxury apartment building is within 2 mi (3 km) of Lost Spring Thermal Pools, Mercury Bay Museum, and Buffalo Beach. Mercury Bay and Flaxmill Bay Camp Grounds are also within 2 mi (3 km).

Turtle Cove Accommodation - Hostel

14 Bryce Street

Rated 4.1 / 5 by Guests

Situated near the airport, this hostel is within a 15-minute walk of Lost Spring Thermal Pools and Buffalo Beach. Purangi Estate-The Purangi Winery and Cathedral Cove are also within 25 mi (40 km).

Admiralty Lodge Motel

69-71 Buffalo Beach Road

Rated 4.6 / 5 by Guests

Offering direct access to the beach, this Whitianga motel is within a 10-minute walk of Buffalo Beach and Mercury Bay. Brophys Beach and Lost Spring Thermal Pools are also within 1 mi (2 km).

Albert Number 6 Motel

6 Albert Street

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in the heart of Whitianga, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Buffalo Beach and Mercury Bay. Mercury Bay Museum and Lost Spring Thermal Pools are also within 10 minutes.

Pipi Dune Bed & Breakfast

5 Pipi Dune

Rated 4.8 / 5 by Guests

Situated in Whitianga, this beach bed & breakfast is within a 15-minute walk of Mercury Bay and Lost Spring Thermal Pools. Buffalo Beach and Mercury Bay Museum are also within 1 mi (2 km).

At Parkland Place

14 Parkland Place, Brophy's Beach

Rated 4.7 / 5 by Guests

Situated near the airport, this bed & breakfast is within a 10-minute walk of Brophys Beach, Mercury Bay, and Buffalo Beach. Simpsons Beach and Lost Spring Thermal Pools are also within 3 mi (5 km).

Whitianga Campground

6 Bongard Road

Rated 3.0 / 5 by Guests

Situated near the beach, this campground is steps from Buffalo Beach and Mercury Bay. Brophys Beach and Lost Spring Thermal Pools are also within 2 mi (3 km).

Harbourside Holiday Park

135 Albert Street

Rated 4.0 / 5 by Guests

Situated in Whitianga, this campground is within a 15-minute walk of Mercury Bay Museum and Buffalo Beach. Mercury Bay and Flaxmill Bay Camp Grounds are also within 1 mi (2 km).

Aotearoa Lodge

70 Racecourse Road

Rated 4.1 / 5 by Guests

Situated near the beach, this motel is within 1 mi (2 km) of Mercury Bay and Lost Spring Thermal Pools. Buffalo Beach and Brophys Beach are also within 2 mi (3 km).

Mercury Bay Holiday Park

121 Albert Street

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Situated near the airport, this holiday park is within a 15-minute walk of Mercury Bay Museum, Buffalo Beach, and Mercury Bay. Flaxmill Bay Camp Grounds and Lost Spring Thermal Pools are also within 1 mi (2 km).

Wotif's insider tips for Whitianga

Type:

Other

Perfect for:

Solo Travellers, Families, Empty Nesters, Foodies

This cafe is well worth the travel out of Auckland's CBD, if that's where you're staying. The food - particularly the breakfast - is awesome, the plates are big, and the view (directly opposite the beach) is fantastic. Paddleboarders drift by, Rangitoto pops up on a clear day to say hello, and local strawberry sellers are often nearby.

Kirsten, 40. Brisbane

Learn more about Whitianga

Whitianga

Once upon a time, Māori explorers took one look at the breathtaking Whitianga Harbour and knew this was the perfect spot to settle down.