Set against a backdrop of native forest park, the welcoming surf town of Whangamata is a place to catch a wave, a fish or enjoy a delicious cafe meal.
The attractive combination of sand, surf and native forest makes Whangamata a popular destination for summer holidays. It's easy to find your own space on the four kilometre ocean beach, surf the rolling breaks, or swim in the quiet waters of the harbour. There are two golf courses in the area and plenty of charter boats waiting to take you diving or game fishing. Offshore, Hauturu Island can be reached by kayak or wading at low tide. Just behind the town, the Coromandel Forest Park is a place for hiking, mountain biking and hunting. The Wentworth Falls walk is particularly lovely.
Onemana Beach, made famouss in the recent Middle-earth advertising, is only six kilometres north of Whangamata and is the perfect spot for swimming and snorkelling.
Further north is the settlement of Opoutere which opens onto a beautiful five-kilometre surf beach that has been protected from development by a forested reserve.
Opoutere Wildlife Refuge Reserve is a nesting site for the rare New Zealand dotterel. This small wading bird makes its nest, a mere scraping in the sand, amidst sparse vegetation just above high water. Eggs and chicks are very susceptible to predation and dotterel nests are easily destroyed by storms and careless feet. The dotterel's scurrying antics are a delight to watch from a careful distance.
Whangamata is a great base for exploring the Coromandel Peninsula, with numerous cafés, restaurants and accommodation options (be sure to book ahead in summer). Arts and crafts shops provide interesting browsing, and surf shops cluster along the main road with boards for hire.
Offering a hot tub and free BBQ facilities, Blake Court Motel is located in the centre of Whangamata. Guests here enjoy free Wi-Fi.
Located on the ground floor, each heated room includes a kitchen or a kitchenette with a microwave, a refrigerator, a toaster and an electric kettle. There is also satellite TV, a dining area and a private bathroom. Some room... (more)
Breakers Motel is a Luxury motel located on the Harbourside reserve in Whangamata in the Coromandel. It has 21 modern units and 16 units have a spa pool and 2 units with spa bath and spa pool. Cooked/continental breakfast is available and private spa pools, swimming pool and barbecue facilities are available.Breakers Motel is situated at 324 Hetherington Roa... (more)
Brenton Lodge is a boutique lodge situated on the hills overlooking Whangamata with wide views of the sea to Tuhua Island.
The Lodge was established in 1993, and has proven to be a wonderful place for the independent traveller, looking to explore the beautiful beaches and forest tracks of the Coromandel Peninsula.
The Lodge is well placed being just an... (more)
Set on 5 acres of parklands and surrounded by lush forest, Bushland Park Lodge and Retreat offers a secluded getaway. All guest suites offer free WiFi and a fireplace. There is an onsite restaurant and wine cellar.
Bushland Park Retreat is a 12-minute drive from Whangamata and a 2-hour drive from Auckland.
All guest suites feature a seating area, a sat... (more)
Just 1 minutes' walk from Whangamata Beach, the Marine Reserved Apartments each offer a double garage and full kitchen and laundry facilities. Guests can enjoy a BBQ on their own private balcony.The apartments have a lounge area with sofa and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. Each apartment's kitchen is equipped with an oven, a stove and a fridge.Mar... (more)
Just an 8-minute walk from Whangamata Beach, Pacific Rise Apartments offers a heated outdoor pool and a hot tub. All self-contained apartments feature a fully equipped kitchen and a balcony or a courtyard.Pacific Rise Accommodation is a 4-minute walk from the heart of Whangamata and a 15-minute walk from Whangamata Wharf. Whangamata Golf Club is a 4-minute d... (more)
Shops and cafés at your doorstep, golden sand beach just a short walk away, tennis court, sauna and private spa, Palm Pacific Resort has everything you need for the perfect Whangamata get-away. Our beautifully appointed 1 and 2-bedroom units, some with spa bath, have full kitchen facilities, king/queen-size beds, Sky Digital channels, patios or balconies, wi... (more)
"Patiki Bay View is a high quality luxury apartment a haven for couples with everything you could wish for to make your stay comfortable and satisfying. It is a fully self contained studio apartment with a comfy queen bed, and is totally quiet and peaceful. It has its own private garden, for your exclusive use, with table and chairs under the lemon tree fo... (more)
Pipinui Motel was built in 2002. It has 4 luxury self contained units consisting of two studio, and two 1-bedroom units. These very quiet, private and spacious units are located only 200 metres from the harbour, boat ramp and new marina, and only 700 metres from the main surf beach, wharf, restaurants and shops. Our units consist of fully equipped modern kit... (more)
Qualmark 4-star Motel. Centrally located to town centre and beach (400m). 9 quality motel units, redecorated 2009, fully self-contained and serviced with queen/super-king size beds, wireless internet, LCD flatscreen TVs with Sky. DVD available.Also on site: conference venue, laundry, spa, large outdoor barbecue area, secure storage, mountainbikes, surfboards... (more)
WHANGAMATA ONLY HOLIDAY PARK. CLOSE TO OUR famousS WHITE SANDY BEACH and local shops. Whangamata Motor camp is a popular spot for Families, Surfers and Holiday makers. Camp dairy seasonal. Metered showers. Tariff: kitchen cabins $60-$70 (1-2 persons), extra $18-$20, under 15yrs $8-$10, powered/non-powered sites $16-$40 (1-2 persons) per site, child 1- 14yrs ... (more)
Just 5 minutes' walk from Wharekawa Harbour, YHA Opoutere offers rooms with lovely harbour views. Guests have access to free kayak rental, table tennis and barbecue facilities.
Opoutere YHA is 15 minutes’ drive from Whangamata, and 45 minutes’ drive from Hot Water Beach. Tauranga Airport is a 90-minute drive away.
All rooms are heated, and include bed ... (more)
Waihi Beach Community Centre, Waihi Beach, Bay of Plenty
Sat 20 Jun 2020 1:00PM / Education
For Western Bay Residents Only.
A home worm composting farm is a great way for you to deal with most of your kitchen food scraps and create rich compost for your garden. Come along to this hands-on, two-hour ... more
Omokoroa Community Church, Tauranga, Bay of Plenty
Tue 30 Jun 2020 6:00PM / Family & Lifestyle
Prepare to be inspired, become motivated, and take control of your household’s impact on our future. Get lots of exciting and inspirational education around ways you can minimize waste at home.
This workshop is ... more
Waihi Beach Community Centre, Waihi Beach, Bay of PlentySat 20 Jun 2020 1:00PM / EducationFor Western Bay Residents Only. A home worm composting farm is a great way for you to deal with most of your kitchen food scraps and create rich compost for your garden. Come along to this hands-on, two-hour ... more
Omokoroa Community Church, Tauranga, Bay of PlentyTue 30 Jun 2020 6:00PM / Family & LifestylePrepare to be inspired, become motivated, and take control of your household’s impact on our future. Get lots of exciting and inspirational education around ways you can minimize waste at home. This workshop is ... more
