WALKS - WHITIANGA, MERCURY BAY
Cathedral Cove
This is probably one of the most well known
walks on the peninsula. From Cathedral Cove
visitors can access Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine
Reserve as well as Gemstone Bay, Stingray
Bay and Mare's Leg Cove. A snorkeling trail
is located in Gemstone Bay.
Cathedral Cove is so named
because of the natural rock arch joining it
to Mare's Leg Cove. In time, this arch will
collapse to form an offshore stack such as
Te Hoho Rock at the northern end of Cathedral
Cove.
Directions: The track
is located near the small village of Hahei.
From Hahei shops take the signposted road
to the lookout carpark. Due to its popularity
the carpark can be full particularly during
the summer months so visitors may wish to
park at an alternative site accessed from
the northern end of the Beach carpark (allow
an extra 25mins each way)
Time: 2 hours return
Te Pare Historic
Reserve Walk
This walk takes visitors to a historic pa
site (Maori fortress), which is located on
a headland. From here the views are stunning
- looking northward to Hahei Beach and Cathedral
cove and southward to rocky outcrops.
Directions: Access to this
walk is down Pa Road, which is the first turn
right before entering Hahei. The start of
the track is signposted from the end of Pa
Road.
Time: 30 minutes return
Note: Take care on windy days
Cooks Monument
In 1769 Cook made landfall in New Zealand at a place south of what we know today as the Mercury Bay. He then headed north and anchored at Cooks Beach, where he spent a few days and observed the transit of Mercury across the sun. The sighting of the Transit of Mercury is commemorated on Cooks Beach by a cairn of Coromandel granite which tells the story; "In this bay was anchored 5 Nov 1769, HMS Endeavor, Lieutenant James Cook RN, Commander. He observed the transit of Mercury and named this bay."
Directions: Turn into Cooks Beach onto Reese Ave. Take the first right turn into Captain Cook Road. Follow this to the end, just before the public toilets. Cooks Monument is on the left hand side.
Time: 2 minutes return
Ferry Landing – Shakespear Cliff via Maramaratotara Bay Track
The first part of this walk takes you up Whitianga Rock, home to an interesting pa site. This area is covered in bush and has a lovely sheltered picnic spot. Further on takes you around Back Bay and up and over the Maramatotara Track
Directions: Take the ferry across the river and have a good look at the signboard at Ferry Landing. Keep along the water's edge on your right and follow the path up to Whitianga Rock and the Maori Pa site. As you come back down you can take one of two tracks; either walk through the ditch and down into Back Bay and continue up the track, where you will be rewarded with magnificent views of Whitianga, the Estuary and Back Bay. Or you can walk through the ditch and down into Back Bay and follow the Maramatotara track up through a stand of Karaka trees, continue on this tack and follow it down till you meet up with Purangi Road facing Front Beach. Turn left to return to the ferry. Turn right for a longer walk to Shakespeare Cliff Lookout and Cooks Beach.
Time: 1 hour return Ferry Landing – Maramatotara Bay
2 hours return Ferry Landing – Shakespeare Bay via Maramatotara bay
Ferry landing - Shakespeare Cliff via Purangi Road
This walk will take you through the historic cemetery at Ferry Landing and on past Front Beach and Flaxmill Bay before reaching Shakespeare Cliff. There is a plaque at the lookout commemorating Cook observing the transit of Mercury in 1769.
Directions: Take the Ferry across the river and go up the path 
on your left, through the Cemetery, and join the road further along. Carry on up the road, and at the bend go down the footpath to Front Beach. At low tide you can follow the beach to your right. At high tide you may have to scramble up onto the road and follow the road to Flaxmill Bay where lots of boats are moored. In the far corner, the cliff path meanders up to Shakespeare Cliff Lookout where you will get great views of the Mercury Bay. You can return via the road to the ferry or carry on down to Lonely Bay (steep) and Cooks Beach. To return from Cooks Beach follow the track on the right hand side of the road back to the ferry.
Time: 2 hours return Ferry Landing Wharf – Shakespeare Cliff
20 min return Shakespeare Cliff – Lonely Bay
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