Whitianga is the main town on Mercury Bay, on the Eastern side of the Coromandel Peninsula. Rich in history it is also a popular spot with Kiwis, who flock to the area in the summer for beach time and boating.

During the harvesting of native forests on the peninsula in the 1800s and early 1900s, Whitianga was a timber port. Ships from Europe sailed in to Whitianga’s deep water harbour to load up with valuable kauri.

Today, the township depends on fishing, farming and tourism for its prosperity.

In Whitianga during September? Don’t miss the Whitianga Scallop Festival – a weekend of indulgence. You’ll find more than 60 food and wine stalls, seafood cooking demonstrations and competitions including scallop shucking.

Whitianga is a very popular holiday destination for New Zealanders. There are many holiday homes in the area. And the population increases dramatically in the summer holiday season.