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. Waihi Beach has 10 kilometres of white sand linking it to the small settlement of Bowentown. It is a popular beach with surf enthusiasts as well as being a popular family beach.
Māori have lived in the region since pre-European times, with numerous pa sites within a few kilometres of Waihi Beach. There is still evidence of the old pa sites at the Bowentown end of Waihi Beach.
European settlement began in earnest with the discovery of gold in 1870, but the ores were difficult to access, and the only viable mine within the region for many years was the large Martha's Mine operation at Waihi.
Waihi Beach and the nearby settlement of Bowentown at the western end of Tauranga Harbour are popular holiday resorts. Their combined population is around 1900, except at Christmas/Summer holiday time.
Bowentown has its very own BMX track which is free for all to use, right next to a popular holiday park.
Coordinates: 37°24′S 175°56′E / 37.4°S 175.933°E / -37.4; 175.933
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Famous quotes containing the word beach:
“On the beach at night,
Stands a child with her father,
Watching the east, the autumn sky.
Up through the darkness,
While ravening clouds, the burial clouds, in black masses spreading,
Lower sullen and fast athwart and down the sky,”
—Walt Whitman (1819–1892)