Dining

The small coastal town of Whitianga boasts many fine cafes and restaurants. At last count, there were 27 places to eat. These range from fine dining to casual sports bars and take-way food outlets. All of them are a short distance from the lodge, so if you enjoy excellent food and wine, you will especially enjoy the convenience of this wonderful water's edge location. Walk to restaurants, cafes, sports bars and shops.

Enjoy the short trip across the harbour on the small ferryboat. With the wharf just 100m from the lodge, Whitianga is just across the water and you dont need a car to get there!
The Whitianga ferryboat is a continuous service providing an inexpensive alternative to driving to Whitianga which can take 45 minutes. This 200m stretch of water separates the town of Whitianga and Ferry Landing. Although the ferry is a passenger only service, bicycles can be taken across on the ferry, but no cars.

Places to eat in Whitianga

From the lodge, walk to the Ferry Landing Wharf, ride the ferry boat and once on the other side take a short stroll and you are outside ' The Wild Hog'.   ' Crisp' is next door. The name says it all. Modern decor and overlooking the harbour. Vegetarians, this is the place to eat. According to our guests at least!  Further along the Esplanade is ' Squids'. Opposite the Whitianga Marina is ' Salt Bar'. Next door is ' Blacksmith Kitchen'. This is a casual sports bar with large screens and pleasant garden bar out the back.  Also in Blacksmith Lane is a fantastic Indian Restaurant called ' Sangham', mmmm wonderful food and according to many UK guests as good as or better than anything they have eaten in the UK!   Dino's Pizza' and ' Roast Haven' are 2 of the many casual dining available in Whitianga. Other great places to eat are ' Chang Thai', ' Steak & Ale, ' Smitty's Sports Bar', ' Udon Noodle Bar' and ' Tuatua'. Take-outs include old fashioned kiwi ' Fish and chips' or ' Chinese takeaways' to name a few.

Wanting to eat on this side of the water ? No problem, ' Eggsentric Cafe' is a leisurely 15 minute walk from the Lodge and if you don't feel like walking home, ask and they may even drive you back!There are other small cafe's and a takeway bar in Cooks Beach and if you feel like a drive there are more cafe's and restaurants just a short drive away. In Hahei there is 'The Church', 'Luna Cafe', and the 'Grange'.

The list goes on, the choice is yours.....