Guidebook for Whitianga
Food Scene
Hula
5 Albert StIt's simply the best.
It's my old favourite updated by the wonderful team of Emily Thomas, superchef and Judy and Gary Inglis, superhosts. A delightful garden, fabulous food and a beautiful shop.
26 locals recommend
Colenso Country Cafe & Country Shop
895 State Hwy 25It's my old favourite updated by the wonderful team of Emily Thomas, superchef and Judy and Gary Inglis, superhosts. A delightful garden, fabulous food and a beautiful shop.
Iconic eaterie in now extremely popular Kuaotunu. Hosted by Lukas Reilly, surfer, pizza man, all round good guy. Quirky, live music and the restaurant with the best view in the world.
118 locals recommend
Lukes Kitchen
20 Black Jack RdIconic eaterie in now extremely popular Kuaotunu. Hosted by Lukas Reilly, surfer, pizza man, all round good guy. Quirky, live music and the restaurant with the best view in the world.
Open mic night on Friday night just the best night out. Have a sing or a strum or just listen.
23 locals recommend
Hot Waves Cafe
8 Pye PlOpen mic night on Friday night just the best night out. Have a sing or a strum or just listen.
It's simply the best. The best food in town at brilliant prices. See the master chef Stu Smith at work along with the wonderful Rebecca Murray who makes a wicked Bang Bang Salad. Pan-Asian, wonderful ambiance. Vegans and vegetarians well catered for.
54 locals recommend
Blue Ginger
10 Blacksmith LnIt's simply the best. The best food in town at brilliant prices. See the master chef Stu Smith at work along with the wonderful Rebecca Murray who makes a wicked Bang Bang Salad. Pan-Asian, wonderful ambiance. Vegans and vegetarians well catered for.
Drinks & Nightlife
Dancing to the jukebox is a favourite thing to do. Chat to the friendly locals. Lovely obliging bar staff.
13 locals recommend
THE COROGLEN TAVERN
1937 Tairua Whitianga RdDancing to the jukebox is a favourite thing to do. Chat to the friendly locals. Lovely obliging bar staff.
Salt Restaurant & Bar
1 Blacksmith LnGreat location.
Sightseeing
Whitianga Rock Historic Walk
Whitianga Rock WalkCathedral Cove Shuttle
1130 Purangi RdOldest stone wharf in NZ, lovingly restored.
Robinson Road
Robinson RoadHistoric reserve which includes the old stone store and Lovers Rock.
Glass Bottom Boat Whitianga Scenic Cruise
16 Monk StFantastic views of under the sea.
Parks & Nature
Coromandel Forest Park
It has an awesome swimming hole and a place for camper vans to stay. Easy to while away a whole day here. Plenty of shade and a river full of interesting rocks.
Egan Park
It has an awesome swimming hole and a place for camper vans to stay. Easy to while away a whole day here. Plenty of shade and a river full of interesting rocks.
Arts & Culture
It's a great small museum which focuses on the two great explorers who visited us - Kupe and Captain James Cook.
26 locals recommend
Mercury Bay Museum
11a The EsplanadeIt's a great small museum which focuses on the two great explorers who visited us - Kupe and Captain James Cook.
Shopping
Simply the best. Spend $10 or spend $10,000. Sonya Corlett and Simon Buchanan have built a wonderful business. Fabulous quirky jewellery, grand garden pieces, gorgeous glassware and everything in between.
22 locals recommend
Moko Artspace
24 Pye PlSimply the best. Spend $10 or spend $10,000. Sonya Corlett and Simon Buchanan have built a wonderful business. Fabulous quirky jewellery, grand garden pieces, gorgeous glassware and everything in between.
Mosaic Gallery
53 Albert StExcellent choice of local art and craft. Great souvenirs.
Essentials
New World Whitianga
1 Joan Gaskell DrOne of two local supermarkets.
Whitianga Countdown
24 Joan Gaskell DrOne of two supermarkets in town.
Baywash Laundromat
15 Monk St