Whangamata Travel Guide

 kiwi Says:  Great afternoon bushwalk (or morning if that suits!). Short and easy, around 90 mins round trip, not too strenuous. Nice walking shoes required, a few river crossings. Jandels or flip-flops not recommended, but you need Teva's or footwear that is firmly attached to your... 

 kiwi Says:  It's Free, It's healthy, It's fun, It's a MUST.Walk along the beach , get some sea air in your lungs and just meditate as you stroll along and realise you are on the edge of the mighty Pacific and over those seas are USA and South America.Kick some sand, collect some... 

 kiwi Says:  Even if you visit during the winter months, the beach can be a nice place. Cold, yes, but still fresh and nice.This photo shows a winter's day, with one or two brave souls walking on the lovely sand. But it's nice not to have huge crowds and you do feel rather alone and... 

 kiwi Says:  Going to the movies in Whangamata is a real whip back in time experience. And really it's one that can't be missed!You can read my extended story about the Whangamata movie experience here. 

 kiwi Says:  25 Feb 2008 Gagas is closed for the moment - will repost when it opens!Very nice modern, well presented meals. Usually favouring local seafood, which is what people expect to eat in Whangamata.*** formerly known as "c o a s t" ***I used to hail this as the place to eat at... 

 kiwi Says:  This shop is situated in a classic kiwi takeaway, and of course they sell fish and chips. Richies has diversified to add Thai food to their menu, adding to it's appeal.I really love the look of this shop, it has made time stand still and has appeared similar to this for 30... 

 kiwi Says:  No place to sit down to eat other than one table and chairs on the footpath. You can order your takeaways and wait. They sell "wet fish" too, that is raw fish for the uninitiated. I have it on very good authority that the seafood stick is very tasty.I like and ate, battered... 

 kiwi Says:  Very nice modern and tasty cafe food. Can be a little cramped in the evening if the restaurant is full, but in summer you can sit outside on the street. Whangamata is a great place to watch the people go bye. 

 kiwi Says:  This store has almost everything you may find you need when away from home. A lot is relatively cheaply priced, that you may just want to 'make-do' and not wanting to buy the best of something. It's a great place for kids too, to spend their pocket money and be happy with... 

 kiwi Says:  During the summer months, when the population of Whangamata is swollen, these vans drive around the houses, selling icecream sundaes. Very nice treat and kids especially love it. They are drawn out of houses and off the beach looking like the Pied Piper of Hamlin, but the... 

 kiwi Says:  That's me visiting my friends' private beach. That is, no one can get access from land, but it is allowable to land here from the sea.The trees here are Pohutukawas, which are known as our Christmas Tree. They flower at Christmas and are a beautiful bright red colour. The... 

 kiwi Says:  Remember when you stand on the beach and look out to the distance, that the next stop is right across the Pacific to Chile!! There are a few Pacific Islands but further north than here. So, as the crow flies, there is no land until Chile. For some reason I always think of... 

 kiwi Says:  At the north end of the surf beach is the entrance to the harbour. This is a fun place to spend some time. Fishing is popular from the beach or wharf. The water is very deep here. I love to see what the tide has washed ashore, shells, driftwood and stuff. 

 kiwi Says:  The fishing club has a prime spot near the edge of the water, at the entrance to the harbour. The water gets deep here very quickly and is a great place to swim. Take care of the rip though, especially when the tide is turning. You can arrange fishing trips here to blue...