Places To See

WAIHI BEACH

10 minute walk to the beach

A 9-kilometre stretch of inviting white sand and rolling surf. This is a popular spot for surfing and swimming in the waves or enjoying a long walk. Waihi Beach is on one of New Zealand's safest surf beaches. The Surf Club with surf lifeguards is located at the north end of the beach.

ANZAC BAY

Bowentown

Drive or cycle to the very south end of the peninsula you will find Bowentwon Domain with the beautiful Anzac Bay. This is a sheltered bay with a small shady beach for more relaxed swimming as there are now waves. Toilet and shower facilities available.
FAMILY FRIENDLY

HOT POOLS

Athenree

The pure thermal mineral water feels silky and soft on the skin and is perfect for relaxing in after a long day sightseeing. A continuous flow of spring water into the pools creates bubbles and helps soothe away any aches.
REST AND RECOVER

KARANGAHAKE GORGE, WAIKINO

20 minute drive

The Karangahake Gorge is a winding canyon carved out by the Ohinemuri River. The gorge was a popular mining area from 1852 - 1938.

OWHAROA FALLS

20 Waitawheta Road, Waikino
20 minute drive

A series of three waterfalls; Owharoa Falls are in Karangahake Gorge. The first and third waterfalls are well accessible, and only the top of the second one can be seen from the road.
MUST-SEE!

DICKEY FLAT

111 Dickey Flat Road, Waikino
30 minute drive

The Dickey Flat water hole is a 20-minute walk from the Dickey Flat Campsite. The walk takes you through a decommissioned mining tunnel (take a torch) and leads to an idyllic swimming hole with small waterfalls. Please ask your host for more info.
ADVENTURE
 

ORAKAWA BAY

45 minutes (one-way)

Spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. Pohutukawa trees shelter a beach of sparkling white sand offering a perfect picnic location.
Access to Orokawa Bay is by an easy track at the very northern end of the beach at Waihi Beach. Best access at low tide.
BEAUTIFUL

TRIG WALK

30 minute (one-way)

This bush walk takes you up to a spectacular view of Waihi Beach, up the Coromandel coast to The Mount and Tauranga. There is a considerable incline to reach the top. Entry to the walk is sign posted at the Waihi Beach water reservoir off of Beach Road.
FITNESS

BOWENTOWN HEAD

Seaforth Rd, Bowentown

Drive up the hill to the end of Seaforth Rd and walk up Bowentown head. You can see the open ocean on one side and Tauranga's harbour on the other. There are plenty of other hidden walks to enjoy such as Cave Bay or Shelly Bay.
EASY

RAIL TUNNEL LOOP

1.5 hr loop, Waikino

This walk takes you through a kilomaetre-ong rail tunnel (torch recommended), along the rivers' edge and through the remains of 19th century mine buildings. Suitable for the family. Accessible from Waikino Station, Karangahake Hall or Karangahake Reserve Carpark.

 

WINDOWS WALK

30 min - 1.5 hrs, Waikino

One of the most spectacular walks in the North Island. Windows blasted through gold mining tunnels provide a stunning birds' eye view onto Waitewheta River. Allow yourself time to fully explore this walk.
STUNNING
 

SUNRISE BEACH WALK

Waihi Beach

Watch the sunrise or sunset turn the sky into a magic show. Take a romantic walk on the beach to cool off from the heat of the day. This is also a popular time for dog walkers so you may be joined on your walk by some furry friends.
RELAXING STROLL

 WILDLIFE SANTUARY

Tuhua / Mayor Island that you see on the horizon is 35km out to sea. It is a dormant volcano that is now a wildlife sanctuary, both above and below the water.

The island is a formant volcano that emerged from the sea about 7000 years ago and has several hot springs. Opuahau, the highest peak, reaches 354 metres, and the volcanic crater contains two lakes, both near sea level. Lake Aroarotamahine is green, and Lake Te Paritu is almost black.

Tuhua is the Maori word for obsidian. The island is considered special because of its geological makeup,, including black obsidian, a volcanic glass created by the rpaid cooling of silica-rich lava. Obsidian was prized as a cutting tool in the era before metal. The stones were traded all across the Pacific, where obsidian is very rare.

Rocks from Tuhua have been found on far away islands like the Kermedecs 1800km in the north, to the bottom of the South Island.
The Tuhua Marine Reserve lies off the island's northern end and is an excellent spot for boating, swimming, diving and snorkelling.

A wildlife refuge since 1953, the island is home to many native birds - nectar-feeding bellbirds and tui, wood pigeons, morepork, fantail, kaka (brown parrot) and many more. Well marked steep walking tracks lead to the lakes and through the impressively tall forest. Visitors are welcome on the island on the prior application for permission.