Cook's Coast beaches Information

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Highlights of Coromandel

Thames Information

Thames is the Coromandel Peninsula’s main town. Idyllically situated between the Firth of Thames..

Whangamata Information

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Whitianga Information

If you’re exploring the Coromandel Peninsula, you’ll soon come to Whitianga – the main town..

Tairua sights Information

The volcanic headland Paku and offshore views of the jagged Aldermen Islands make the Tairua area..

Hahei and Cathedral Cove Information

Hahei is an attractive beach fringed with pohutukawa trees and drifts of pink shells at the..

Waihi Information

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Historic Coromandel township Information

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Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway Info

The Karangahake Gorge Historical Walkway is situated off State Highway 2 between Paeroa and Waihi...

Tairua/Pauanui Information

Tairua has an attractive harbour and white sand beaches. Paku, an extinct volcanic cone, is the..

Tuhua Marine Reserve Information

Tuhua (Mayor Island) Marine Reserve, off the coast of Tauranga, covers about three square nautical..

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From the seaside town of Whitianga you can catch a ferry across the harbour mouth to the Stone Steps Wharf - the start of Cook's Coast. Alternatively, you can drive about 35 kilometres around the harbour.

The Stone Steps wharf was built in 1837 by unskilled labour using large stone blocks. From here you can walk or catch a shuttle to Front Beach, Flaxmill Bay, Shakespeare Cliff, Lonely Bay and Cooks Beach.

Front Beach and Flaxmill Bay are sheltered, north-facing beaches that are ideal for swimming and rock pool explorations. Flaxmill or Homestead Bay is at the base of Shakespeare Cliff. In 1769, the famous explorer Captain Cook beached his ship the Endeavour here to carry out maintenance on the hull.

A short walk out onto the top of Shakespeare Cliff reveals sweeping views across the wide Mercury Bay. South of Shakespeare Cliff are Lonely Bay and Cooks Beach. Isolated from other beaches by steep cliffs, the beautiful Lonely Bay can only be reached via a short, steep walking track from the Cook Memorial.

Cooks Beach offers a three-kilometre, gently curving white sand beach - ideal for swimming, walking and sunbathing. This is a popular holiday destination for locals and a pleasant seaside settlement of holiday homes has established itself here over the years.

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Cook's Coast beaches Information

Highlights of Coromandel