Waihi is a historic gold mining town, home to some of New Zealand’s pivotal moments in history. With relaxed ambience and character, it is just a quick 10 minute drive by car.  There is plenty to explore, especially its famed bush walks.

The city of Tauranga is less than an hour’s drive south. Think seafood, cafe’s, waterfront restaurants and plenty of day tours, dolphin watching and New Zealand beach culture.

Manawa Ridge Luxury Lodge overlooks Waihi Beach with its nine idyllic kilometres of sweeping white sand, and one of the safest surf beaches in New Zealand.  Relax on the beach and enjoy the sunshine or partake in more adventurous activities such as boogie boarding, kayaking or kite boarding.

There’s surfing, fishing, mini-golf, walks with amazing views, art and crafts, history, and plenty of summer entertainment including regular bands at the Waihi Beach Hotel.

Manawa Ridge sits at the Southern end of the Coromandel Peninsula. The Coromandel is widely regarded as one of THE most beautiful places to visit in New Zealand.  Hot spots like Cathedral Cove, Driving Creek Railway, Hot Water Beach and Whitianga can all be visited on day trips from the lodge.

Homunga Beach  is a quick 20 minute walk from the lodge. A quiet cove rarely visited by tourists, this is where we fell in love with the location years before we bought the land and built the lodge. A romantic hideaway that is one of the Coromandel Peninsula’s best kept secrets.

Anzac Bay, just inside the harbour entrance at the south end of Waihi Beach, is the most popular reserve in the Western Bay of Plenty.

There are magnificent views from Bowentown Heads (you can walk or drive up) and you can also take the steep track down to Cave Bay, sheltered from the westerly wind and a popular fishing spot.

Rotorua, the thermal tourism town that is another must visit while in New Zealand is one and a half hours away, easily visited in a day trip.