Mercury Bay, The Coromandel Peninsula, NZ

The Mercury Bay area of The Coromandel is one of quite stunning beaches and bays. Azure blue waters roll onto clean white sands, while protective arms of bush clad hills shelter the bays and further enhance the scenic spendour of the area. Mercury Bay is a very popular holiday destination and during the summer months the population swells considerably. For the rest of the year, a relaxed, away from it all atmosphere prevails.

Kuaotunu - once a thriving gold mining town, has clean, safe, white sandy beaches, is also handy to many other beautiful spots and is an ideal starting point for exploring other parts of the Coromandel Peninsula. There's bush walking, fishing, horse trekking, water sports, golf, tennis or just simply relaxing in one the world's truly spectacular places. A little over 100 years ago, gold was discovered at Kuaotunu and more than 1000 people lived and worked there. Kuaotunu is just 17km north of Whitianga.

Located on the east coast of the Coromandel, Mercury Bay's main town of  Whitianga has attracted visitors for more than a thousand years, since Maori explorer Kupe first settled here around 950A.D. But it was Captain James Cook who gave the area its name, when he anchored in the bay in 1769 to observe the transit of Mercury.

For more information about Mercury Bay :

i-SITE Whitianga
66 Albert Street, Whitianga
Phone: (07) 866 5555 Fax: 866 2205
Email: whitvin@ihug.co.nz
Website: www.whitianga.co.nz