Waihi Beach Activities

A major attraction is the beach, only 400m away. The beach offers swimming, fishing, surfing, walking, sunbathing, kite flying, kite surfing, blokarting or jet skiing. If you would prefer to be away from the surf beach, drive 4km to the safe swimming beach at Anzac Bay, which is a very safe bay within the harbour. Ideal for children with its shade and picnic tables; also very popular with school groups, organisations catering for younger children and for families. There are many walks in the area either along coastal walkways or inland walks.

Waihi town is 15min away and provides the opportunity to learn the history of gold-mining and also see mining taking place. Newmont Waihi Gold is still actively mining and they also provide an an education centre at which you can see much about the history and the present. There is a working mine behind the town centre and the pit-rim walkway allows you to walk the edge of Waihi's large open-pit mine. The Waihi Gold Mining Museum provides more information about Waihi's history. See the Cornish pumphouse and learn how it was relocated in 2006. Take a ride on the Goldfields Railways between Waihi and Waikino. 12km west of Waihi is Karangahake Gorge, which contains the relics of mining a hundred years ago. There are now many walkways in the native bush, following streams, climbing to lookout points, exploring history and Karangahake Gorge is acknowledged as one of New Zealand's premier walking destinations. Only 5km from Sea Air Motel & Holiday Park are the Orokawa and Homunga walkways; the latter includes coastal walking from the northern end of the beach.

Visit the 'Mural Town' of Katikati with its many murals of significant events in the history of the town. Katikati is a 15min drive from Sea Air Motel & Holiday Park. Travel a further 5min to visit Forta Leza Country Restaurant and Bar, which also includes a gallery of dolls created by internationally acclaimed doll maker Jan McLean. Tauranga and Mount Maunganui are a pleasant 40min drive from Sea air Motel & Holiday Park.