Discover Whangamata

A four-kilometre-long beach, calm harbour waters and tracks through native bush give you different reasons to spend time outdoors in Whangamatā. There is also art, a festival celebrating the culture of the 1950s and 1960s, and options for different kinds of active days. When choosing your holiday accommodation, consider which of these aspects of the town matter most to your stay.

Beach, harbour and nature tracks

Whangamatā’s beach stretches for four kilometres. The harbour has calm waters for swimming—a different kind of water experience from the open beach. This means you can consider the beach and harbour as different focal points for your stay. If you enjoy walking, there are also tracks with views of the water and landscape: the Whangamatā Harbour & Lookout Track leads through native bush and offers views of the harbour, estuary and surrounding hills.

The Wentworth Valley Walk also passes through native forest. From there, you can enjoy views of the estuary and Whangamatā Harbour. Both tracks combine nature with views of the water; the surrounding hills are also part of the panorama described for the Harbour & Lookout Track. The specific features of each track may help you decide whether you are looking for bush and forest scenery, harbour views or a mix of both on your trip.

Explore Whangamatā by bike

Most of Whangamatā is flat, making it well suited to exploring by bicycle. You can hire cruiser bikes, e-bikes and four-wheeled “Croc Bikes” locally. If cycling is part of your holiday plans, both the fact that most of the town is flat and the available rental types are relevant considerations for planning your trip.

Four kilometres north of Whangamatā, the Whangamatā Ridges Mountain Bike Park is located in Matariki Forest. Its singletrack trails are graded from 2 to 5 and cater to children, families and advanced riders. A valid pass is required to ride. This sets the park’s designated trails apart from the cycling described in the mostly flat town, both in difficulty and intended audience. Keep the pass requirement in mind if you plan to include the park in your itinerary.

Art, culture and more to discover

The Little Gallery in Whangamatā showcases a diverse, changing selection of original paintings, prints, sculptures, textiles and ceramics. For a stay that includes an interest in visual and applied arts, the gallery offers a cultural destination of its own. Whangamatā also hosts Beach Hop, a five-day celebration of the culture of the 1950s and 1960s. Art in changing forms and an event focused on a particular historical era offer different cultural highlights.

Sport and local history are also among the ways to get to know the town. Whangamatā Golf Club operates two golf courses in Whangamatā year-round. At Moana Point Reserve, a memorial plaque marks the site of a historic store. Alongside the beach, tracks and cycling options, golf and a specific place of remembrance are also available. Which of these experiences you prioritise can help shape your stay.

Discover more places

More places to discover: Opito Bay, Opoutere, Kuaotunu, Hikutaia, Whenuakite, Whitianga, Coromandel and Tairua.

Return to the main travel overview: Thames-Coromandel District.