Cooks Beach Whitianga Maps & Directions

From Auckland or Hamilton

From Auckland Airport, head south on the highway to Manukau City and then take State Highway (SH1) on the Southern Motorway to Pokeno, turn left onto SH2 then later onto SH25 to Coromandel Peninsula and follow the signs to Thames. Just after crossing on a long, traffic light controlled one way bridge, you reach Kopu (Mobil Service Station).

At this Kopu/Thames junction, you have 2 choices:

(1) Scenic Route following the Pacific Coast Highway www.pacificcoast.co.nz through Thames, Coromandel Town, Kuaotunu, Whitianga, Cooks Beach - takes an extra 2 hrs.

Turn left and take the west coast road through Thames to Coromandel Town then over the hills to the east coast beaches and down to Whitianga (passing lots of nice beaches on the way). Drive through Whitianga and follow the road for approx 30-40 mins following the signs to Cooks Beach/Ferry Landing.

(2) Shortest Route to Cooks Beach (takes approx 1 hour)

Turn right following the signs to Tairua. 800 metres past Kopu turn left on SH25A. Follow the SH25 through Tairua for approx 30-40 mins until you arrive at Whenuakite (School on left). Be sure not to follow the road on to Whitianga at this point! Look out for the large blue sign for your turnoff on your right to Hot Water Beach/Hahei/Cooks Beach. Follow the directions to Cooks Beach (via Purangi Road) for 9kms and you can't miss our sign on the right.

From Rotorua and South

Head north through Te Puke, Mt Maunganui/Tauranga, Waihi, Whangamata and follow the signs to Tairua. Proceed to Cooks Beach as above.