Kuaotunu
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Kuaotunu
Kuaotunu

Kuaotunu

Location

Kūaotunu
New Zealand 3592

Quick Facts

Māori Meaning:
Roasting of a calf whale
Proximity:
18 min (15 km) from Whitianga
2 hr 40 min (203 km) from Auckland
Kuaotunu estuary

A classic Coromandel coastal village with a laid back atmosphere.

Kuaotunu's long sandy beach just beckons you to stretch your legs for a stroll or to take a dip into the ocean and enjoy the magnificent view out to sea. Alternatively sit back and enjoy the view, chilling out with a coffee, beer, wine, pizza or an ice cream in the village – take your pick.

In 1890 Kuaotunu was a thriving village with a range of shops such as a pub, a tailor, butchery, bakery, blacksmiths and general store to service its population of approximately 1000. Today Kuaotunu continues to thrive with a small village centre that is a hub for the local community and visitors staying in the area.

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Useful Visitor Information

Local Tips — Kuaotunu

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Getting to Kuaotunu

Kuaotunu is 15km north of Whitianga. Take State Highway 25 (Kuaotunu Wharekaho Road), turn onto Blackjack Road to get to the village area.
View in map.

Where to stay

Renting a bach and staying at the holiday park are popular ways of enjoying a stay at Kuaotunu.

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Kuaotunu Boat Ramp

Quarry Point
Kuaotunu-Wharekaho Road.

A concrete ramp with trailer parking and access at all tides (permit fees apply).

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Must Do's

  • Walk the length of the beach and check out the local boats using the boat ramp at Quarry Point.
  • Peruse the local gallery in the coffee shop and select a wee treasure to purchase.
  • Visit Otama and Opito Bay beaches via the Blackjack Road – travel the classic winding gravel roads to reach some of the areas most stunning long white sandy beaches and clear blue waters. Great beaches for walking, snorkelling or swimming.
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Where to grab a bite to eat

Enjoy a table with a view at fully licensed Luke’s Kitchen or the Art Gallery and Coffee shop that share their seating areas. You have the choice of treating yourself to a wood fired pizza (gluten free available), wrap, tasty treats, snacks beer or a mean locally made Coffee La La. The General Store serves the famous Kuaotunu Killer ice cream, which is a challenge, and a lot of fun to finish eating.

Tides

Download and print our Tides PDF file for local tide times.

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Shopping

The General Store in Kuaotunu village stock everyday necessities.

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Things to do with kids

Head to the beach for a swim and some time honored sandcastle building. At each end of the beach there are great opportunities to hunt for sea life in the rock pools and to collect small ‘gem’ stones and special seashells. The estuary near the village end of the beach provides safe swimming for small children.

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Public Toilets (restrooms)

  • Kuaotunu Reserve
    Just past the village by the beach car park.
  • Kuaotunu Domain, SH25.
  • Quarry Point boat ramp, SH25.
Local Tips

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A big thanks to local photographer Dmitri from Fern Vision, for supplying epic Coromandel Peninsula photography.

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