Waihi Beach

Waihi Beach
Waihi Beach
Waihi Beach
Map
Coordinates: 37°24′40″S 175°56′28″E / 37.411°S 175.941°E / -37.411; 175.941
CountryNew Zealand
RegionBay of Plenty
Territorial authorityWestern Bay of Plenty District
WardKatikati-Waihi Beach Ward
CommunityWaihi Beach Community
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthorityWestern Bay of Plenty District Council
 • Regional councilBay of Plenty Regional Council
Area
 • Total6.31 km2 (2.44 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2024)[2]
 • Total2,860
 • Density450/km2 (1,200/sq mi)

Waihi Beach is a coastal town at the western end of the Bay of Plenty in New Zealand's North Island. It lies 10 kilometres to the east of the town of Waihi, at the foot of the Coromandel Peninsula. The main beach is 10 kilometres long. The town had a permanent population of 2,860 as of June 2024.

At the northern end of Waihi Beach, the 145 hectares (360 acres) Orokawa Scenic Reserve offers several short walking tracks along the coast and to Orokawa Bay.[3][4] While the main beach is backed by the residential area of the township of Waihi Beach, Orokawa Bay is undeveloped and surrounded by native bush including pohutukawa, puriri, and nikau palms.[4]

Anzac Bay from Bowentown lookout

At the southern end of the beach is the small settlement of Bowentown and the northern side of the northern Katikati entrance to Tauranga Harbour.[5]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Area was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  3. ^ "Orokawa Bay". Waihi Beach Community Events & Promotions Inc. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  4. ^ a b "Tauranga area: Orokawa Scenic Reserve short walking tracks". Department of Conservation NZ. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  5. ^ "Bay of Plenty places - Waihī Beach to Bowentown". Te Ara: Encyclopedia of New Zealand. 14 November 2012. Retrieved 6 September 2014.