Whitianga

Located on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula, Mercury Bay’s main town of Whitianga has attracted visitors for more than a thousand years, since the Maori explorer Kupe first settled here around 950 A.D. It was Captain James Cook who gave the area its name when anchored in the bay in 1769 to observe the transit of Mercury.

There’s plenty to do and see in Whitianga. Swimming, diving, bush walking, soaking in a hot pool at low tide, horse riding, fishing, kayaking, golfing - you name it.

There are some great museums, shops, cafes, bars and restaurants too and the popular wharves are well worth a visit. You can fill in a day just looking around.