Shore thing
Mike Yardley is sold on Waihi Beach on his very first visit
IHAVE JUST ENJOYED my first-ever visit to Waihī Beach (shocking, I know) and, despite its glittering reputation, it still managed to smash my expectations.
Gazing across the diverse portfolio of real estate that edges its sublime coastline, I could see it spans all tastes from cute and cosy baches to trophy-home beach houses.
Strung along a 9km stretch of alluring white sand and boasting one of New Zealand’s safest surf beaches, the bustling beachside village is generously endowed with a great array of boutique shops and eateries. Don’t miss Chez Moi — The Swiss Chocolate Shop. Under the command of Swiss couple Ines and Adrian, these artisan chocolatiers are fawned over for their quality handmade chocolates.
These delightful little parcels of decadence are freshly made in front of you. Their truffles are made with the single cream from Lewis Road, while locallysourced New Zealand flavours make their chocolates sing, including chilli from Kaitaia, local oranges, lemons, passion fruit, feijoa and mint plucked straight from the garden.
Be sure to enjoy breakfast at The Secret Garden, a unique, Balinese-inspired garden cafe in the heart of Waihī Beach village. This main-street hospitality oasis has been artfully planted with lush tropical plants and palms, complete with pagoda style seating. I felt positively transported — and fuelled. They serve up superb Havana coffee, deliciously fresh salads, superfood smoothies and sweet treats.
Dinner with a view? Flatwhite’s spacious and beautifully appointed design exudes the warmth of a great timbered beach house, edging that vast sweep of sugarwhite sands. This is the pinnacle of absolute beachfront dining — in fact the closest contender to rival Flatwhite’s prized perch is as far away as Pāpāmoa.
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the epic views are a match for the fabulous fare. The steamed pork buns and fish tacos are great for sharing, but I particularly enjoyed tucking into a Kai Moana Pizza. This extravagantly laid construction consisted of prawns, scallops, mussels, fish, spring onion, dill cream cheese, mozzarella and deep-fried capers. A smash-hit.
Feeling suitably obliged to burn off the excess of all my noshing in Waihī Beach, morning walkies entailed knocking off the cliff-hugging natural splendour of the Orokawa Bay walk. The day had dawned bright and blue-skied, accentuating the panoramic good looks of this banger of walk.
The entrance to this 90 minute-return track leads off from the northern end of Waihī Beach, wih an uphill trudge to commence proceedings. Traversing the coastal headland, swathed in giant pohutukawa, kauri, puriri, and nikau palm trees, soundtracked by breaking rollers and native birdsong, it was the constant sighting of kereru that ramped this walk’s multisensory theatre.
The elevated views across Waihī Beach and as far as Mount Maunganui are an early highlight, before infinity perspectives of the big blue ocean continued to captivate me on this undulating trail. Descending through native bush to Orokawa Bay, the sense of blissful seclusion is allencompassing. Pack a picnic and park yourself up under the sweet sprawl of an overhanding pohutukawa, to drink it all in.
Back in town, head to Surf Shack Cafe´ . Transforming a pancake den into a seriously cool cafe´ , Pip and Jo were living the corporate highlife in Britain, before dreaming of creating a sustainabilityfocused cafe´ in Pip’s home-country. Since purchasing the property six years ago, this community-focused cafe has scooped a stash of awards, including winning NZ Cafe´ of The Year.
Sticklers for sustainability, Jo and Pip are also big believers in giving back, heavily involved in charitable projects across the community. Its vibrant decor, outdoor garden area and eclectic menu spans everything from belly-busting breakfasts and flavourful burgers to sublime street food. They also do mean pancakes! If you’re up for one of their legendary burgers, whistle up a Ha-waihi Surf Burger — with a pattie topped with double charred pineapple, double bacon and double cheese. One dollar from every burger sold is donated to the local Surf Life Saving Club. What a star specimen of a communitycentric enterprise.