Feel the peace and tranquility permeate your soul from the moment you enter the meandering lane just above the shoreline leading to the lodge.

The lodge at the very end of Purangi Road is surrounded by native bush and overlooks picturesque Whitianga harbour. Uniquely positioned next to the historic Maori Pa site called Whitianga Rock, the Pa site is easily recognised by the terraces, post holes and 'middens' leading to the rock (guided walk is included in your tariff.) Large Pohutakawa and other native bush also provide a haven for many different NZ birds including the local pheasant!!

Just 200 metres from the lodge is the oldest stone wharf in Australasia. This historic wharf is the departure point for the Whitianga ferry boat which operates 365 days a year from 7.30 am until late. The ferry takes 2 - 4 minutes to reach Whitianga depending on the tide so its easy to imagine enjoying a romantic evening over a glass of wine in one of Whtianga's finest restaurants, The Fireplace less than 5 minutes after leaving the lodge on foot!

With all the best beaches on this eastern side of Mercury Bay, you will also be enjoying the natural hot springs which Hot Water Beach is famous for in less than 15 minutes. The Pacific Coast Highway's route through The Coromandel Peninsula takes you to the Magic of Cathedral Cove and beautiful Hahei Beach. The whole area is an Outdoor Lover's Delight with its abundant bird life, coastal boating activities and interesting bush walks.

Offering... bed and breakfast hospitality and privacy A stay of 2 - 4 days is recommended so to encourage you to fully explore this amazing landscape we offer a discount for multiple nights.

Choose between The Sunflower or The Bougainvillea or both and before the day draws to a close, relax under the beautiful night sky, marvel at the 'southern cross' and listen to the sounds of silence. Magic!

"There are no strangers in our home, just friends we haven't met!"

We look forward to meeting you soon, so you can enjoy the same genuine 'Kiwi Hospitality' others have experienced.

Rooms:

Sunflower Suite:

• The king room with views of the surrounding punga and ferns is both cosy and romantic. A bird lovers delight!
• The queen room on the lower level, with a separate entrance, makes this ideal accommodation for 2 couples traveling together.
• Fire up the gas BBQ and relax in the garden setting watching the Fantails dart in and out of the native bush.
• The generous lounge / dining area are well equipped with fridge, microwave, toaster and electric jug. All you need to prepare light meals; you also have your own CD player, radio and TV.
• The warm & sunny deck is perfect for relaxing with a glass of wine, watching the antics of Tui's in the frangipani tree. Great views of the surrounding native bush, unusual rock formations & Whitianga harbour will relax and delight you.
• The divan window seating is really useful when there are more than 4 people as they are also, comfortable, full size single beds.
• Salt & pepper, teas, coffee, sugar and fresh milk are provided for you.
• The spacious modern bathroom has quality fittings and a heated towel rail.
• Gas heater and electric blanket for winter warmth.

Bougainvillea Suite:

• A gardeners delight! Beautiful scarlet bougainvilleas & a pink climbing rose adorn the covered patio outside this suite. Crimson hibiscus, water lilies, clivias, camellias, birds of paradise and colourful hanging baskets create a relaxing environment.
• Just 50 metres to the waters edge, you can hear the waves lapping the shore.
• Beautiful Pohutakawa trees partially screen the sea views offering peace and privacy.
• Imagine your own intimate hideaway, just the 2 of you watching the sun set over this idyllic location.
• The well equipped dining area with fridge, microwave, toaster and electric jug provides all you need for preparing 'light snacks'.
• A BBQ and outside table and chairs let you enjoy those lazy summer evenings. You have your own TV, CD player and radio. There is an alarm clock and torches. Salt & pepper, teas, coffee, sugar, and fresh milk are provided.
• The large modern bathroom has quality fittings and heated towel rail.
• Bath robes, a hairdryer and complimentary shampoo and conditioner are also provided.
• Looking out over the garden, the spacious king room has plenty of storage, a suitcase rack and writing desk.
• The queen room joining the lounge makes this an ideal suite for either one or two couples or a family group. The rooms are divided by a sliding door which can be closed for complete privacy.
• Gas heater and electric blanket for winter warmth.

Tariff Includes The Following Services:

• Delicious breakfast which includes Pam's home-grown bottled fruit, spreads and toppings. You may choose to join us and other travelers around a large circular table in the sunny conservatory, or we can deliver a tray to your suite if you wish.
• Complimentary guided walk to Historic Whitianga Rock Maori Pa site which is adjacent to our property.
• Information handouts on all the local walks.
• Freshly baked muffin bread and home-made, wild blackberry jam, welcomes you to our home.
  Seasonal garden of strawberries, tomatoes, lettuce, cucumber, peppers, beans, peas, parsley, oregano, basil & rosemary. All grown without the use of harmful sprays and yours to taste!
• Fruit trees, some mature, some not but all growing using old fashioned fertilizers. Peach, Feijoa, Pear and Plum, Lemon, Mandarin, Guava and Apricot, Tamarillo, Grapes and Passionfruit.
• Enjoy genuine 'Kiwi' hospitality with your hosts Pam & Rob Wigmore. Seasoned travelers throughout NZ and overseas; we are looking forward to sharing our home with you.
  Assistance with travel times, dinner and activity reservations.
• Bath robes
• Beach towels
• Fast E-mail check
• Free local phone calls (mobiles excluded)
• Fax available on request (small charge for sending & receiving)
• Tax invoice can be printed out if required

Facilities:

• Hammock
• Boogie boards
• Dinghy and oars
• Fishing rods and tackle
• Tennis racquets and balls
• 2 seater kayak & life jackets
• Mountain bikes and safety helmets
• Beach chairs, mats and sun umbrella
• Gas BBQ's and outdoor dining facilities
• Spades for digging at Hot Water Beach
• Board games, cards and interesting books
• Iron and ironing board available on request
• Guest clothes lines to hang swimwear, towels, etc
• Cot, highchair, pushchair, children's toys and books

Additional Information:

• Unfortunately we are not suitable for wheelchair access
• Laundromat in Whitianga is open 7 days a week. Water restrictions mean we are unable to offer on-site laundry facilities.

Breakfast:

A delicious breakfast to take you through to dinner!!

Breakfast consists of generous quantities of:

Fresh fruit platter of seasonal favourites:

Peaches, nectarines, plums, fejoas, strawberries, passion fruit, grapes, water melon, rock melon, apricots, apples and bananas. Also sun dried prunes and apricots.

Pam's special homemade preserves:

Peaches, pears, fejoas, apple, plum. & kiwifruit.

Cereals:

Toasted homemade muesli with almonds and yoghurt covered raisins. Cornflakes and the NZ breakfast icon, Weetbix.

Breads:

A variety of grain, fruit, white and brown / toasted sweet or savory muffins.

Dairy produce:

Fresh, homemade yoghurt, butter and low fat cheese.

Spreads:

Homemade blackberry, plum, peach, fejoa or kiwifruit jam and grapefruit marmalade. Also to be enjoyed is the popular NZ Manuka Honey, popular peanut butter and the infamous NZ 'Vegemite.'

Beverages:

Orange juice, chilled water with lemon, milk and your choice of tea, herbal teas and fresh coffee.

Activities:

If you choose the Pacific Coast Highway, to travel throughout NZ, you will want to experience the warm waters of Hot Water Beach, the majestic beauty of Cathedral Cove and the panoramic Hahei Beach and Marine Reserve. Whitianga is a vibrant town with many fine restaurants and cafes, a museum, movie theatre, parks shops, etc.

Being within a few minutes walk of the wharf, where the Whitianga ferry boat leaves from, could mean you spend less time traveling and more time doing!

• Drive to Hotwater Beach so named because of the hot springs that surface on the sand two hours either side of low tide. You can take one of our spades and dig your 'own' hot pool.
• Beach towels are also supplied on request. (15 minutes drive from the lodge)
• Hahei Marine Reserve is easily accessible from Hahei beach and Cathedral Cove. From the car park the walk takes approximately 40 minutes. Take your 'swimmers' and maybe a picnic because it's a wonderful place, you won't want to leave. Don't forget your camera; your reward will be magnificent photos.
• For golfers, there's a 9 hole course in Purangi Rd or 18 hole courses in Whitianga and Matarangi.
• Front Beach, Flaxmill Bay and Cook's Beach are all great for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling and kayaking.
• Take a Passenger Ferry ride to Whitianga and enjoy dinner at one of many fine restaurants and cafes.
• Go sailing aboard 'The Windborne', a 62 ft schooner built in 1928. Help sail her or simply relax and enjoy the experience. Very popular and tremendous value.

More ideas include:

• The Historic Mercury Bay Museum has a fascinating display of everything you can think of.
• Next to the museum is Bay Carving. A unique opportunity to create your own Bone Carving souvenir.
• You might want to check out the superb coastline, with Cathedral Cove Sea Kayaking.
• Be entertained with musical instruments, deep inside a cave on the Cave Cruzer. Or maybe seeing dolphins aboard the Glass Bottomed Boat.

Whatever you do...

• Be sure to allow enough time to explore Back Bay in our 2 seater kayak or dinghy. You may be rewarded with glimpses of stingrays.
• Walk across Back Bay, go over the small wooden bridge and take the bush track up and over the hill. This is the Maramaratotara Track which starts just prior to the Maori Pa site and just a couple of minutes walk from the lodge. From the top of the track before descending on the other side, there's an opportunity to photograph spectacular views of Buffalo Beach.
• If you're feeling more energetic and want a work out, take the mountain bikes and discover Shakespeare Cliff and the beautiful Purangi Estuary.
• You can always stop and enjoy coffee and a snack at Eggsentric cafe in Flaxmill Bay.
• Last but not least and definitely not to be missed, is Driving Creek Railway. We thoroughly recommend you make the time to visit this amazing place and if it's something you want to see and we will help you plan around it.

About Your Hosts:

We are well traveled in NZ and overseas, and love meeting people. One Christmas, 17 nationalities joined together to celebrate and enjoy each others culture and that was before we became bed and breakfast hosts!!

Rob was born in Whitianga and always said he would retire here; I'm a good wife so I joined him! His interests include history, geography, reading, music, singing, playing the guitar, dancing and the great outdoors. An engineering consultant operating from home, he is also involved with building, renovating and landscaping the property. My right hand man during the busy times!

Pam, although English by birth, is definitely a kiwi! Her interests include gardening, sewing, knitting, computer stuff, music (can't sing), dancing, keeping fit and making jams, marmalades, pickles and preserves, which end up on the table for guests to enjoy. We are blessed with 5 children and 8 beautiful grandchildren who enjoy visiting us from time to time in our piece of paradise.

We look forward to sharing our friendly, relaxed lifestyle with you, in our uniquely positioned seaside retreat.

Directions:

From Auckland or Hamilton:

• Cross KOPU Bridge (just South of Thames).
• Turn right at Kopu (Mobil Service station).
• Travel 1 km south, then turn left onto Highway 25A.
• Travel over mountains to Tairua.
• Through Tairua, then over Tairua hill (Highway 25).
• 300 meters past Whenuakite School, turn right onto Hotwater Beach Rd (Dalmeny Corner).
• Travel 3 km then turn left into Purangi Rd. Sign-posted Cook's Beach, Ferry Landing.
• Stay on this road, past Hahei turn off, past Cook's Beach turn-off, through Flaxmill Bay to Ferry Landing.
• Just past the Ferry Landing Store, take the narrow right of way on the left and drive all the way to the end. We are the last house up the driveway and you will be able to turn your car around at the end.

From Whitianga

• Travel south on Highway 25 through Coroglen.
• Turn left at Dalmeny Corner onto Hotwater Beach Rd.
• Travel 3 km then turn left into Purangi Rd. Sign-posted Cook's Beach, Ferry Landing.
• Stay on this road, past Hahei turn off, past Cook's Beach turn-off, through Flaxmill Bay to Ferry Landing.
• Just past the Ferry Landing Store, take the narrow right of way on the left and drive all the way to the end. We are the last house up the driveway and you will be able to turn your car around at the end.