Green Door Guide to Mercury Bay
Dining - South Mercury Bay
If you would prefer to go to Whitianga or beyond for a nice lunch or dinner out, there are quite a few great places nearby. Opening hours and days can vary with changes in season, and sometimes change weekly, so it is worth checking with each individual establishment.
My top restaurant recommendation for the Coromandel is located right down the street. Check their website for current opening hours as they vary seasonally. Bookings can be essential, especially on weekends and peak local holiday times. In addition to a brilliant fine dining tapas menu, we can highly recommend the cocktails. Also boasts a fine wine list. Brunch Saturday and Sunday.
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Go Vino
19 Captain Cook RdMy top restaurant recommendation for the Coromandel is located right down the street. Check their website for current opening hours as they vary seasonally. Bookings can be essential, especially on weekends and peak local holiday times. In addition to a brilliant fine dining tapas menu, we can highly recommend the cocktails. Also boasts a fine wine list. Brunch Saturday and Sunday.
Hotties is located at Hot Water Beach, and has a wonderful view out to the beach itself for dining. The best wine list around. Pay attention to their signage as the entrance to the restaurant isn’t easy to spot. They are a wonderful find, with exceptional food and a wine list you will find difficult to top in the Coromandel. If you are not into lunch, they also serve great coffee and good souvenirs.
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Hotties Beachfront Eatery
29 Pye PlaceHotties is located at Hot Water Beach, and has a wonderful view out to the beach itself for dining. The best wine list around. Pay attention to their signage as the entrance to the restaurant isn’t easy to spot. They are a wonderful find, with exceptional food and a wine list you will find difficult to top in the Coromandel. If you are not into lunch, they also serve great coffee and good souvenirs.
Italian pizza while looking over the view? Priceless. You can even walk there from your accommodation. Noted on the map in this folder. bel the labrador will try to eat your food, but he is not allowed inside the
restaurant so do not fret. Best views and wine this side of anywhere.
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Mercury Bay Estate
761 Purangi RdItalian pizza while looking over the view? Priceless. You can even walk there from your accommodation. Noted on the map in this folder. bel the labrador will try to eat your food, but he is not allowed inside the
restaurant so do not fret. Best views and wine this side of anywhere.
One of the most relaxing al fresco dining spots we know. Micro brewery on site, great pub food and lots of shaded tables in the garden. All within walking distance of the beach and the Cathedral Cove shuttle parking area.
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The Pour House
7 Grange RdOne of the most relaxing al fresco dining spots we know. Micro brewery on site, great pub food and lots of shaded tables in the garden. All within walking distance of the beach and the Cathedral Cove shuttle parking area.
Very nice option in Hahei for great food for both lunch and dinner.
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The Church Bistro
87 Hahei Beach RdVery nice option in Hahei for great food for both lunch and dinner.
REOPEN OCTOBER 1
Great breakfast lunch and coffee. Freshly baked Ciabbatta at the little attached store. when I am early enough there to grab a loaf to take home.
Truly quirky surroundings in gorgeous 'next door' Flaxmill Bay.
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Eggsentric Cafe And Restaurant
1049 Purangi RdREOPEN OCTOBER 1
Great breakfast lunch and coffee. Freshly baked Ciabbatta at the little attached store. when I am early enough there to grab a loaf to take home.
Truly quirky surroundings in gorgeous 'next door' Flaxmill Bay.
Newly opened this season. Great calamari, a good pizza oven, great wine list and a very relaxing place to sit. I don't doubt the rest of the menu is delicious too.
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The Hive
450 Purangi RoadNewly opened this season. Great calamari, a good pizza oven, great wine list and a very relaxing place to sit. I don't doubt the rest of the menu is delicious too.
Newly opened Mexican restaurant close to the ferry to Whitianga. Most US visitors would not recognize it as a Mexican restaurant, but non-US visitors might like it. If you are looking for the world's tiniest margarita, you need look no further.
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Cooked
2 Mill RoadNewly opened Mexican restaurant close to the ferry to Whitianga. Most US visitors would not recognize it as a Mexican restaurant, but non-US visitors might like it. If you are looking for the world's tiniest margarita, you need look no further.
Getting Around
Getting around Mercury Bay and beyond. There are lovely places around the bay to enjoy a bottle of wine or two. If you prefer to do so while someone else is driving there are a couple of options.
Well between December and March there are a 'few' options. In the meantime, there is the Cathedral Cove Shuttle who will take you lots of other places too.
Cathedral Cove Shuttle
1130 Purangi RdThe best possible way to get to Whitianga -- the drive around is fun to do maybe once. Possibly twice. But the ferry is where it's at.
Check on board or at the wharf if there is continuous service or if they break around the dinner hour.
As of May 2019 it cost $7 return pp.
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Whitianga Ferry
1153 Purangi RdThe best possible way to get to Whitianga -- the drive around is fun to do maybe once. Possibly twice. But the ferry is where it's at.
Check on board or at the wharf if there is continuous service or if they break around the dinner hour.
As of May 2019 it cost $7 return pp.
Ferry Landing
If you want to do the water taxi only one way, be aware that you need to park at the Hahei village free parking lot, NOT the lot at Lees Road.
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Cathedral Cove Water Taxi
If you want to do the water taxi only one way, be aware that you need to park at the Hahei village free parking lot, NOT the lot at Lees Road.
Dining - Whitianga and beyond
The option to park at Ferry Landing and enjoy the five minute Whitianga Ferry ride across the harbour makes dinner or lunch in Whitianga an attractive option for both lunch and dinner. Check on board or at the wharf if there is continuous service or if they break around the dinner hour. As of May 2019 it cost $7 return pp. Tairua is back the other way on SH 25 - great option the day you arrive or depart.
They specialise in both Indian and Thai curries - but we are most excited about the Indianones. If you love Indian food, the Goat Curry is an absolute MUST. They have attractive lunch specials, and in the summer season a street food option in the back garden. We have a regular lunch date at least once a week and sometimes sneak in two.
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That Curry Place
45 Albert StThey specialise in both Indian and Thai curries - but we are most excited about the Indianones. If you love Indian food, the Goat Curry is an absolute MUST. They have attractive lunch specials, and in the summer season a street food option in the back garden. We have a regular lunch date at least once a week and sometimes sneak in two.
Great place to look out over Buffalo Beach if it is not too windy. Pizzas, burgers, and other delicious treats.
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Stoked Restaurant and Bar
19 EsplanadeGreat place to look out over Buffalo Beach if it is not too windy. Pizzas, burgers, and other delicious treats.
The space can be hot in summer and cold in winter, but the smiles of the authentic Thai owners will warm your heart. Great Thai meals for a very reasonable price.
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The House of Chang Thai
33 Albert StThe space can be hot in summer and cold in winter, but the smiles of the authentic Thai owners will warm your heart. Great Thai meals for a very reasonable price.
On nice days, it is nice to sit by one of the open windows looking over the Esplanade and marina. The food is also really good.
Sabys Kitchen Restaurant & Bar
8 The EsplanadeOn nice days, it is nice to sit by one of the open windows looking over the Esplanade and marina. The food is also really good.
Tairua is a nice place to stop fr lunch on your way to or from Mercury Bay. Flock is the place to have it at.
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Aarons Kitchen
227 Main Rd NTairua is a nice place to stop fr lunch on your way to or from Mercury Bay. Flock is the place to have it at.
This great local day spa also has a tempting lunch, dinner, cocktail menu served ‘lagoon-side’ whether you have used the spa facilities or not.
If you plan on enjoying the day spa, be aware that they charge extra for towels, locker rental, and robes. Bringing your own towel is allowed, so feel free to bring and return one from the wardrobes here.
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The Lost Spring
121A Cook DrThis great local day spa also has a tempting lunch, dinner, cocktail menu served ‘lagoon-side’ whether you have used the spa facilities or not.
If you plan on enjoying the day spa, be aware that they charge extra for towels, locker rental, and robes. Bringing your own towel is allowed, so feel free to bring and return one from the wardrobes here.
Despite many ownership changes in the last year, the food still does not live up to the setting. We consider it a tourist trap.
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Salt Restaurant & Bar
1 Blacksmith LnDespite many ownership changes in the last year, the food still does not live up to the setting. We consider it a tourist trap.
Good pub food with a great location overlooking Whitianga Harbour.
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Grace O'Malleys Irish Inn
9 The EsplanadeGood pub food with a great location overlooking Whitianga Harbour.
If you are out and about further afield than Whitianga (to New Chum or Opito, for example) a great gem for lunch or dinner is Luke's Kitchen. Superb sunset views (or daytime for that matter) and great pizza.
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Lukes Kitchen
20 Black Jack RdIf you are out and about further afield than Whitianga (to New Chum or Opito, for example) a great gem for lunch or dinner is Luke's Kitchen. Superb sunset views (or daytime for that matter) and great pizza.
Local Walks and Outdoor Areas
One of the fantastic things about Cooks Beach is that you have some fantastic options for a morning walk or after diner stroll.
Depending on the tides, there are different options.
About 600 meters further East along Captain Cook Road is the mouth of the Purangi River. The area has a popular picnic and swimming area. This is also where the majority of Cooks Beach locals launch their leisure boats. At low tide you can walk on the beach (turn right at the ramp), but if it is high tide, the beach can be a little tricky to navigate where the water reaches the rock wall. Heading right at the junction of Captain Cook Road is also nice, and about halfway there the houses come to an end.
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Purangi Regional Reserve
210 Captain Cook RdAbout 600 meters further East along Captain Cook Road is the mouth of the Purangi River. The area has a popular picnic and swimming area. This is also where the majority of Cooks Beach locals launch their leisure boats. At low tide you can walk on the beach (turn right at the ramp), but if it is high tide, the beach can be a little tricky to navigate where the water reaches the rock wall. Heading right at the junction of Captain Cook Road is also nice, and about halfway there the houses come to an end.
Walking from our beach access to what we call 'The End of the Beach' at low tide is one of life's really enjoyable pleasures. If 5 km seems far (It takes us between 45 minutes to an hour), halfway (where the pine trees are) takes you to about where the shops are on the main road.
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Cooks Beach
Walking from our beach access to what we call 'The End of the Beach' at low tide is one of life's really enjoyable pleasures. If 5 km seems far (It takes us between 45 minutes to an hour), halfway (where the pine trees are) takes you to about where the shops are on the main road.
Walking all the way: You can, if you are reasonably mobile, walk to the top of Shakespeare Cliff and back again in about 90-120 minutes. At the end of the beach, (the Western side), slightly back from the beach, there is a bridge across the little stream. It leads straight to the well maintained
walking tracks around the cliff. The ascent is 90 meters ... not inconsequential, but with steps and handrails.
Driving: Leaving Cooks Beach take a right towards Ferry Landing the gravel road to your right will be an unpaved road leading to the top of the cliff’s parking lot. There is a public restroom at the top
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Shakespeare Cliff Lookout
Walking all the way: You can, if you are reasonably mobile, walk to the top of Shakespeare Cliff and back again in about 90-120 minutes. At the end of the beach, (the Western side), slightly back from the beach, there is a bridge across the little stream. It leads straight to the well maintained
walking tracks around the cliff. The ascent is 90 meters ... not inconsequential, but with steps and handrails.
Driving: Leaving Cooks Beach take a right towards Ferry Landing the gravel road to your right will be an unpaved road leading to the top of the cliff’s parking lot. There is a public restroom at the top
Many people come the visit our area specifically to see Cathedral Cove. There are two parking options:
Hahei Village free car park where a shuttle is available to the top of the cliff start to the track. Without using the shuttle, you can walk to the beach and start the track from the beach. This adds about 30 minutes each direction to the walk. This is also the car park to choose if you are planning on using the water taxi at all.
Lees Road. Paid parking that will cut your walk time in half. This is the car park that is advertised on the way to Hahei, where you will turn left on Lees Road.
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Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve
Many people come the visit our area specifically to see Cathedral Cove. There are two parking options:
Hahei Village free car park where a shuttle is available to the top of the cliff start to the track. Without using the shuttle, you can walk to the beach and start the track from the beach. This adds about 30 minutes each direction to the walk. This is also the car park to choose if you are planning on using the water taxi at all.
Lees Road. Paid parking that will cut your walk time in half. This is the car park that is advertised on the way to Hahei, where you will turn left on Lees Road.
Shakespeare Cliff Lookout
Purangi Regional Reserve
210 Captain Cook RdMaramaratotara Bay
Neighborhoods
Hahei
Ferry Landing
Sightseeing
Sailors Grave
Παραλία New Chums
Παραλία Hot Water
Many people come the visit our area specifically to see Cathedral Cove. There are two parking options:
Hahei Village free car park where a shuttle is available to the top of the cliff start to the track. Without using the shuttle, you can walk to the beach and start the track from the beach. This adds about 30 minutes each direction to the walk. This is also the car park to choose if you are planning on using the water taxi at all.
Lees Road. Paid parking that will cut your walk time in half. This is the car park that is advertised on the way to Hahei, where you will turn left on Lees Road.
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Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve
Many people come the visit our area specifically to see Cathedral Cove. There are two parking options:
Hahei Village free car park where a shuttle is available to the top of the cliff start to the track. Without using the shuttle, you can walk to the beach and start the track from the beach. This adds about 30 minutes each direction to the walk. This is also the car park to choose if you are planning on using the water taxi at all.
Lees Road. Paid parking that will cut your walk time in half. This is the car park that is advertised on the way to Hahei, where you will turn left on Lees Road.
Souvenirs and Small Goods
Sarah at the Hahei Beach store stocks great t-shirts, plastic glasses, affordable wines, and water if you have forgotten it for your walk to Hahei.
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Hahei Beach Store
46 Hahei Beach RdSarah at the Hahei Beach store stocks great t-shirts, plastic glasses, affordable wines, and water if you have forgotten it for your walk to Hahei.
Hotties Beachfront Eatery
29 Pye Place