Approximately 3 hours from Auckland, Hamilton & Tauranga. To fully appreciate the natural beauty and history of this area visitors should allow 3-5 days. A smaller version of the Bay of Islands and far less 'touristy' and unspoiled. We under estimated the Driving times around the Coromandel Peninsula is a frequent cry!. Winding roads and magnificent scenery mean slower driving times and far more photo opportunities!

The Mercury Bay area is renowned for many of New Zealand's most beautiful, white sandy beaches and we are fortunate to have 5 safe swimming beaches a short walk from the lodge. Front beach, Flaxmill Bay, Buffalo Beach, Cooks beach and of course Ferry Landing beach! Popular Cathedral Cove walk, Hahei and Hot Water Beach are an easy 10 - 12 mins drive.

You will want to see at least some of the most northern beaches along the Coromandel coastline; plus Coromandel town where gold was first discovered. Driving Creek Railway & Pottery will be just one of the many highlights and the WaterWorks gardens & Cafe are the perfect place to grab lunch. Learn more about the gold mining folklore, Kauri industry and hug the giant Kauri tree and make a wish. Let us plan a day trip over the 309 road for you during your stay.

Whitianga has always been a popular destination for people interested in fishing, diving and cruising the crystal clear waters of Mercury Bay and the off shore Mercury Islands. With so many interesting bush walks, safe swimming beaches and beautiful scenery, you could easily spend a week on The Coromandel Peninsula.
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Leave enough time to enjoy our 'all inclusive value packed tariff'. Grab reef shoes, life jackets, then roll the kayak down the driveway with Rob who will provide instructions for first time kayak users. Easily launched from the water's edge at Ferry landing Beach, explore historic Back Bay, awesome caves and even stingrays who come into the Bay at full tide to feed. Travel further inland, check out the Whitianga waterways subdivision and boats moored in the Marina. This is your chance to try something new, and its FREE!




The Lodge is surrounded on 3 sides by beautiful Pohutukawa trees and native bush with a stunning backdrop of exposed rock cliffs. A secluded, peaceful location; a haven for bird watchers. Walk down the drive, down 4 steps to the water's edge where the path takes you directly to the small historic wharf. The small 'passenger only' ferryboat is minutes from the lodge but is barely visible from the wharf.
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There are around 25 restaurants and cafes to eat in Whitianga and on the Ferry Landing / Cooks beach side of Mercury Bay. Squids, The Wild Hog, Mill Road Bistro and Salt Bar are just a few. Being a fishing town seafood is on all the menus. There are also authentic Indian and Thai restaurants along with a selection of take-aways.

Maybe you want a change from dining out every night?
All you need is a blanket, picnic basket, some drinking glasses, tomato sauce, vinegar, S&P (we provide), buy traditional fish 'n chips from a local take-away, a bottle of wine or some beers from the wholesalers and enjoy a simple meal on the beach. Sounds good to me. OR we provide BBQ's allowing you the option of outdoor dining. There is a large supermarket, New World within walking distance where you can buy fresh meat, fish, prepared kebabs etc. Freshly grown lettuce and tomato's can be picked from our organic garden. At Ferry Landing Lodge we love to share everything we grow. Summer 2011/ 2012 has been very wet and we have more tomatoes than we can eat or preserve! We need YOU!

On the Ferry Landing side of the harbour, there are also several cafes and restaurants to choose from, including Eggsentric Cafe for something different, and award winning Colenso Country Cafe. Click here to see the full dining guide.
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• For a refreshing swim Front Beach is just a 10 minute walk.
• A little further on is Flaxmill Bay, a safe beach for small children and handy to Eggsentric Cafe for coffee.
• A 2 hour round trip from the Lodge takes you to Shakespeare Cliff and down to secluded Lonely Bay. (See image)
• Further on is Cooks Beach, a popular family holiday resort.
• Across on the ferryboat is Buffalo Beach where shellfish can be gathered at low tide.
• We provide everything you need for a day at the beach, including umbrellas, beach towels, fold up chairs, buckets and spades etc.
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Over 150000 people visit this iconic landmark every year. Surely nature at its very best. This beautiful natural setting of a Cathedral Arch with pristine white sand, clear waters and beautiful native bush, is the wedding location of choice for many couples. If you have seen the movie Prince Caspian, you will recognise the area in the opening scenes which were filmed there in 2006. It is ideal for swimming and snorkelling. On the walk to Cathedral Cove there is a snorkel trail at Gemstone Bay. We are a short drive of 12 - 15 minutes from Cathedral Cove and Hahei Beach.

Hahei is one of the most beautiful beaches in New Zealand and has changed dramatically in the last 50 years or so. It is a safe beach for swimming with spectacular views of the offshore islands. There is also an interesting walk to the Maori Pa site at the Southern end of the beach. Rob's family were the first European settlers at Hahei. The original homestead built around 1870, can still be seen on the corner of Grange Road and Hahei Beach Road.
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At Hot Water Beach you can dig your own spa in the hot sands, relax and enjoy the antics of others as they create their own 'piece of paradise'. Best time to experience this is 1 hour either side of low tide. We provide complimentary spades and beach towels. Click here for times of low tide which is when you can reach the hot water. We are 12 - 15 minutes drive from Hot Water Beach.

** Please note, visitors to Hot Water Beach are advised to swim in the sea with caution - the surf is renowned for its strong currents, frequent rips and large waves. Always swim between the flags **
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If you enjoy nature and bush walks, you'll be spoilt for choice! Beginning at the Lodge, the Maramaratotara track is a 40 minute round trip, past Back Bay and over the hill through native bush, to Front Beach. Adjacent to the Lodge is a nature reserve called Whitianga Rock. From here you will enjoy the spectacular views of Whitianga township, Buffalo Beach and beyond to the tree studded hills of the Coromandel Ranges.
The walk to Shakespeare Cliff is well worth fitting into your busy schedule. From the lodge, a return trip takes about 2 hours. The walk follows trails thorough native bush to the top of the cliffs where there are spectacular views of Mercury Bay. Shakespeare Cliff was named by Captain Cook as it resembled the Shakespeare cliffs of Dover, England. There are several other beautiful walks within the Whitianga/Mercury Bay area - see the full list, including time guides/fitness levels here.
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If bird watching is one of your hobbies, then choose the Pacific Coast Highway on route to the Coromandel Peninsula. Miranda foreshore on the Western shores of the Firth of Thames between the Hunua Forest Park and the Coromandel Ranges is home to over 100 bird species. Here at the Lodge, several Tui's provide entertainment for guests staying in the Sunflower Cottage.
They are attracted to the beautiful yellow flowers of the Frangipani tree which overlooks the Sunflower Cottage balcony. Delightful Fantails are common in our garden and the surrounding bush. Native Wood pigeons are also common visitors, using our drive as a flight path to berries on trees at each end. Theres a 'wild' Pheasant that also provides entertainment from time to time! The following links will be useful for birdwatchers visiting Coromandel and other parts of New Zealand.
Listen to the sound of forest birds.
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Coromandel is a nature lovers delight. There are many community lead conservation projects. One of the most successful is Kauri 2000 which evolved out of a project to mark the start of the new millennium. Native bush is being restored wherever possible and you too can help recreate a forest for future generations by purchasing a small kauri tree and having it planted on your behalf. We have planted 1 each for our grandchildren and when they come to visit us, a walk to see how much they've grown is something they love to do. In years to come these beautiful trees will once again dominate the forest canopy. Image shows the 600 year old kauris on the 309 Road, Whitianga, The Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand.
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A popular pastime for children is fishing from Whitianga and Ferry Landing wharfs for Mackerel and Kahawai. We have hand-lines available so here's a chance to introduce the children to a popular sport! If you're lucky enough to hook a 'big one' Rob will even prepare your fish for your breakfast next morning.

Ferry Landing Beach, at the end of the driveway provides plenty of opportunities for nature lessons ideal for exploring the foreshore etc. Launch the kayak from Ferry Landing Beach and introduce your children to adventure safely. Adjacent to the Whitianga wharf on the other side of the harbour is an extensive playground. Children love the ferryboat ride and with 3 cafe's right next door to the park, mum and dad are catered for too.
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"We had a great time fishing off the wharf. I LOVE fishing, thank you very much; from Alex. What a fantastic position and hospitality. Wish we could have stayed longer." Jane & Gerry, Aylce & Alex Watson, Castor Bay, Auckland, NZ
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Whitianga has it all, from fishing on the wharf with the children catching mackerel and kahawai, to big game fishing in search of tuna and marlin.
A number of charter boats offer dive trips, big game fishing or sight seeing trips around the beautiful coastline. Popular trips for younger children is the 'Glass Bottom Boat', and for the whole family Ocean Leopard Tours'. Sailing on the 'Windborne' Charters is a popular all day trip and provides good value for anyone who loves sailing as they can do as little or as much as they want. Photo is of the Glass Bottom Boat up close with a pair of Orcas with Ferry Landing Lodge in the background. This is a useful link for fishing opportunities in the area.
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The Te Whanganui a Hei Marine Reserve is a great place for diving or kayaking. Cathedral Cove Kayaks based in Hahei operate numerous trips throughout the day. Use these links for more information on Kayak and Dive charters
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There is a lovely 9 hole golf course at Purangi just 10 kilometres from the lodge. Further afield there are 18 hole golf courses at Whitianga, Tairua and Matarangi. All courses offer hire equipment.
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We have 2 mountain bikes, safety helmets & locks available (FREE) so you can explore further afield. The bikes can be taken across on the ferryboat where you'll enjoy an easier ride around Whitianga township or ride the bikes to Cooks Beach and beyond.
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The Mercury Bay Museum is located just across the water on the Esplanade and is minutes from the lodge. Well worth a visit, as there are interesting displays of both the Maori and European history of the region, including commemoration of Kupe's discovery of New Zealand and Captain Cooks visit in 1769. Established in the old Mercury Bay Dairy Company. Photos of four generations of Rob's family are part of a large collection of photos, of the region's pioneer families.
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A visit to Driving Creek Railway is a 'must do'. Kids from 9 months to 99 years will enjoy this unique narrow gauge railway set in acres of Coromandel bush. The small train zigzags up the mountain to a high point where wonderful views can be had looking out over Coromandel Town and the Hauraki Gulf. This is an opportunity to 'step back in time' and see a working pottery and purchase some distinctly Coromandel artwork.
The journey takes you over the 309 road where you can view a stand of 600 year old kauri trees and visit the Waterworks and Waterfall at Waiau. A memorable day out for the whole family.
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Whitianga has a variety of shops including the New World supermarket. book stores, hardware, chemists, several clothing stores, gift and souvenir shops. There is also The Monk St Market which supplies organic produce and specialty items. Throughout summer months there are mini markets and craft days. During the winter months most shops are open Saturdays but closed on Sundays. As well as many fine restaurants, there are Real Estate Agents and the usual selection of service industries associated with a town of 4,000 people. For other shopping and services in Whitianga town go to this link.
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The Coromandel Peninsula is very popular for locals and overseas visitors. Incredible scenery, beautiful beaches, fauna and flora, birdlife and the people are so eager to share their knowledge of the area, you won't find a better kiwi welcome anywhere. We can assist you with travel times and based on your particular interests, also point out places along your chosen route. For more help with initial planning go to The Coromandel Touring Routes & Suggested Itineraries and The Coromandel Road Trip.
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To make things easier there are also useful links scattered throughout the website.
The Coromandel Region and The Coromandel Road Trip
Whitianga Information Centre
Hahei Information
Tourism New Zealand
Pacific Coast Highway
Department of Conservation
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