| There's never a dull moment in Whangamata. | | | | about every form of art you can imagine - |
| After all, Whangamata is not one of the most | | | | pottery, jewellery, clothing, weaving, spinning, |
| popular beach resorts in New Zealand for nothing. | | | | felting, painting and sculpture. During summer, |
| Come summer Whangamata's local population of | | | | most of the clubs offer holiday classes where |
| 4000 residents soars to 50,000. But even if you'd | | | | you can try your hand at something creative. |
| prefer to avoid the crowds, there are lots of | | | | There's also the Whangamata Craft Trail (a map |
| reasons why Whangamata should be on your | | | | is available from the Information Centre) where |
| "must visit" list namely; surf, sand, sea and | | | | you can visit the artists in their studios and see |
| endless fun. | | | | their latest works. |
| Let's start with the famous Ocean Beach that | | | | Holidays are a great time to enjoy a great meal |
| runs from Whangamata's harbour mouth in the | | | | with friends and family and Whangamata has |
| north to the Otahu Estuary at the southern end | | | | some exceptional cafes and restaurants. Locals |
| of town. | | | | rate the coffee at Vibes Cafe as the best in |
| Here you'll find 4 kilometres of white sand beach | | | | town. Just behind Vibes Cafe is Whanga Bar. |
| that offers not only some of the safest | | | | Popular for breakfast, lunch and evening meals, |
| swimming in New Zealand but also some of the | | | | Whanga Bar serves a wicked steak but is also |
| best surf breaks. This is possible because the | | | | known for its great vegetarian meals. When |
| beach slopes down to an undersea sandbar. The | | | | you're by the sea, it's hard to go past seafood |
| best spot to surf is the Whangamata Bar at the | | | | for dinner. Cafe Rossinis is a small, casual yet |
| northern end of the beach, known for its long | | | | intimate cafe with an Italian flavour. Their seafood |
| peeling breaks in north easterly swells. | | | | platter is a "must" but heed the warning; come |
| This is also the place to come if you want to rub | | | | with an empty stomach as you'll need all that |
| shoulders with some of the best surfers on the | | | | room to do this platter justice. |
| planet and check out the action at the many | | | | Fish and chips are a popular takeaway in |
| international surfing events held at Ocean Beach. | | | | Whangamata and around lunch and dinner time, |
| Every year in March, Whangamata closes off its | | | | you'll see lots of people tucking into their fish and |
| main street for the Whangamata Beach Hop. The | | | | chips down at the beach or around the harbour. |
| whole town pumps to the sounds of rock n roll | | | | Whangamata has many fish and chip shops most |
| and classic cars from the 50s and 60s. 4 days | | | | of which serve this quintessential NZ takeaway |
| (and nights) of partying; markets, family events, | | | | wrapped in paper. However now commonly |
| live bands, classic car swap makes this one of the | | | | spotted around town are hot chips from KB Chips |
| "must attend" summer events in the Coromandel. | | | | served in paper cones; a neat idea that is gaining |
| For something more restful, visit Whangamata's | | | | in popularity. |
| tranquil harbour and shallow calm estuary. Here | | | | For a total change of pace, visit the Prana |
| you'll find a safe seaside playground for swimming, | | | | Retreat at Oputere, near Whangamata. Prana |
| fishing, diving, waterskiing, windsurfing, kayaking | | | | Retreat is based close to Oputere beach which is |
| and all the usual Coromandel outdoor activities. | | | | considered one of the most beautiful beaches in |
| You can try your hand at fishing with any one of | | | | the area, yet is the most under-developed. |
| Whangamata's many fishing charter companies. | | | | Access to the beach is via walking tracks through |
| Geoff Royguard of Waikiwi Charters has been | | | | trees to this amazing, secluded white sand beach. |
| fishing and diving around Whangamata since Adam | | | | Most days you'll be the only person on the beach. |
| was a schoolboy and knows all the good spots. If | | | | Prana Retreat is an eco retreat for rejuvenating |
| you're new to fishing, he'll help you bait your hook, | | | | body and soul, through relaxation, healing and |
| show you how to fish and clean and fillet your | | | | meditation. Based in a beautiful setting of rock and |
| catch for you, ready to throw on the barbeque | | | | pohutukawa trees and surrounded by untouched |
| when you get back to shore. | | | | native bush, Prana Retreat has been designed to |
| Mountain biking is an incredibly popular sport in | | | | blend with and compliment its natural surroundings. |
| New Zealand and Whangamata is blessed with | | | | Every year, Prana Retreat holds its New Year |
| excellent trails and riding all-year-round. There's a | | | | Festival. A unique event of music, movement, |
| wide range of cycles for hire locally and the local | | | | mediation and spiritual and healing workshops, |
| bike shops and information centre can advise on | | | | Prana attracts some of NZ's top musicians and |
| where to go. The Forestry on the north side of | | | | bands and was sold out in 2009. |
| town has an extensive network of trails and | | | | The list of things to do in Whangamata doesn't |
| single tracks as does the nearby areas of | | | | stop here. There's 2 golf courses, outdoor bowls, |
| Opoutere and Ohui. | | | | croquet, walking tracks and tennis and squash |
| Whangamata is famous for its many gifted local | | | | courts. There's never a dull moment in |
| artisans, painters and craftspeople who love to | | | | Whangamata; the real question is what will you do |
| share their talents with locals and visitors alike. | | | | next? |
| This is a place where there is a club for just | | | | |