Shakespeare Cliff Scenic and Historic Reserve
Shakespeare Cliff Scenic and Historic Reserve
Shakespeare Cliff Scenic and Historic Reserve
4.5
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4.5
206 reviews
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53
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7
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0
Bridget M
Melbourne, Australia31 contributions
Feb 2024 • Family
We left early to do this as it was a hot sunny day. We caught the ferry from Whitianga and then you have a choice of following the road to Flaxmill Bay, or taking the track over the hills. We did the track on the way there and the road on the way back. The hike is stunning - beautiful bush, but lots of up and down and steps. The track isn’t well signposted. If in doubt, chose the path that goes up! The path is not a smooth even track, so be prepared! We loved it - wonderful views along the way. At Flaxmill Bay we had a coffee at the cafe and then did the loop track around Shakespeare Cliff. This was well signposted. We didn’t go down to Lonely Bay (too hot, too many steps) but it would be beautiful to visit.
We headed back to the Ferry Landing via the lovely old cemetery to get the ferry back to Whitianga.
All up we took about 3 hrs with many photo stops, and didn’t rush. You can also visit Cooks Beach if you have enough time. We even saw a of of dolphins out to see from the cliff lookout point!
This was a wonderful morning hike but it’s worth taking a map.
We headed back to the Ferry Landing via the lovely old cemetery to get the ferry back to Whitianga.
All up we took about 3 hrs with many photo stops, and didn’t rush. You can also visit Cooks Beach if you have enough time. We even saw a of of dolphins out to see from the cliff lookout point!
This was a wonderful morning hike but it’s worth taking a map.
Written 1 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark E
Whitianga, New Zealand702 contributions
Feb 2020
We took our uncle from Australia on a day trip from Whitianga.
This place has an awesome view of the Mercury Bay, beaches and islands.
You can drive to the top or walk from Ferry Landing opposite Whitianga.
Pop down to Lonely Bay and Cooks Beach.
Well worth a look.
This place has an awesome view of the Mercury Bay, beaches and islands.
You can drive to the top or walk from Ferry Landing opposite Whitianga.
Pop down to Lonely Bay and Cooks Beach.
Well worth a look.
Written 1 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew & Marie
Christchurch, New Zealand63 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
The bay is best visited at low tide to enable you to expose the rock pools.
Water is calm for swimming.
Lovely walk around the head from flaxmill up around and down to cook’s beach with drop down into lonely bay on the way.
Not too hard at all...not suitable for those who can not do stairs.
Water is calm for swimming.
Lovely walk around the head from flaxmill up around and down to cook’s beach with drop down into lonely bay on the way.
Not too hard at all...not suitable for those who can not do stairs.
Written 24 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Clwclm
39 contributions
Mar 2020 • Friends
Spectacular views, of almost 200 degrees. Plaques detail historical aspects. Short walking track from carpark to outlook. Interesting walk down through bush to Flaxmill Bay. Toilets available.
Written 6 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin P
Whitianga, New Zealand60 contributions
Dec 2018 • Family
Whenever we have visitors, we always try to take them to Shakespeare Cliff. It is possible to drive almost right up to the lookout, but if time and fitness allow, we quite like to take the ferry over from Whitianga and walk it. the round trip with that option is about 3 hours. It's about a 50km drive from Whitianga, but if this option is taken and (again) if fitness allows, the trip down the refurbished path down to Lonely Bay is well worth the effort.
On a clear day, the view from the lookout is stunning, and the historical placards are really informative about the history of the area and its importance during Cooks explorations of New Zealand almost 250 years ago.
Lonely Bay is a wonderful little beach with very white sand. The rock formations below Shakespeare Cliff are very interesting and, incidentally, provide excellent shelter if a shower of rain comes by. The path down to the bay is quite steep, although there is a less challenging option approaching the bay from Cooks Beach.
On a clear day, the view from the lookout is stunning, and the historical placards are really informative about the history of the area and its importance during Cooks explorations of New Zealand almost 250 years ago.
Lonely Bay is a wonderful little beach with very white sand. The rock formations below Shakespeare Cliff are very interesting and, incidentally, provide excellent shelter if a shower of rain comes by. The path down to the bay is quite steep, although there is a less challenging option approaching the bay from Cooks Beach.
Written 17 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
car0lj0y
Whitianga, New Zealand66 contributions
Dec 2016 • Family
It is really great if you have the time to walk to Shakespeare Cliff. (If not you can of course drive up there - there is a good road to get there). If you get the Ferry to Ferry Landing, then walk up the hill and along the road. Once you reach Eccentric Cafe (you can stop here for lunch or a coffee), then continue on, and over the Ford in the road. Once you have got across the Ford, look for the Track on your left, and follow this. It takes you up the hill with wonderful views over Front Beach, and Whitianga. At the top you go over a large grassed area, with a wonderful tree/walkway in the centre! There are a lot of flaxes which have a lot of Tui (birds) gathering nectar in the season. Then, continue along the road to reach the Shakespeare Cliff Lookout. From here you can continue on to Lonely Bay if you want. - Well worth the visit as well. I have visited this site many times, but the last time was with family and friends around Xmas 2016.
Written 31 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AllanJGJ
Wellington, New Zealand4,211 contributions
Nov 2022
Pleasant, very typical New Zealand coastal view. You can have a good stroll around the headland or drive near the top by car. Worth doing if you're in Cook's Beach or Whitianga. Look out for the plaque commemorating the visit of James Cook!
Written 3 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neil B
Wellington, New Zealand374 contributions
July 2020 • Family
A great look out with easy access for all ages. Short walk from the car park which could get busy in summer.
Written 11 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris G
Port Macquarie, Australia1,012 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
Ok so we caught the ferry ($7 return pretty expensive even for locals) from Whitianga to the Shakespeare’s walk. Once off the expensive ferry it’s best to walk up the hill on path next to the road. On the map there is a bush track but the signage is not that good. Following the road you walk past some beautiful homes and eventually locate a path to the cliff walk. Not that well signposted! The walk is pleasant with some steep bits but the view from the top is really great. Trying to come back down via tracks didn’t work so down the road we went back to the expensive ferry. Probably not the best walk we have done here(due to signage) but ok.
Written 28 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trudi W
Auckland Central, New Zealand141 contributions
Oct 2018
This is one of those gems you just stumble across on holiday - I was out driving around Hahei, Cooks Beach etc and saw the signs for it so drove up to see what it was all about - I believe you can hike up as well but I drove as far as poss then it's a few mins walk from there. The drive is a bit of a challenge if tehre are cars coming in the other direction - steep winding narrow gravel road, BUT it's short and I only encountered one car going up, and none coming down. From the top, you get an absolutely breathtaking view across Lonely Beach and Cooks Beach - think turquoise water with visible clarity even from the top of the cliff, and rolling waves on white sand - gorgeous. The other direction offers a slightly more sedate but still pleasant view of another beach, and looking straight out to sea and the small islands dotting the edge of the peninsula is pretty too. Information is available on the local area - esp Captn Cook and the Endeavour. A steep path leads you down to Lonely Bay. WELL worth a visit - one for the instagram stories/posts, for sure!
Written 7 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, can you walk there from Whitianga CBD? How long it would take?
Written 22 August 2019
The ferry trip is very quick - 5 minutes or so. It took us less than 30 minutes to walk to Shakespeare Cliff, then another 20 minutes to climb to the top. 2-3 hours is a reasonable time to allow for a round trip.
Written 23 August 2019
Where should I park my car if I would like to get to the Shakespeare Cliff lookout?
Written 7 December 2016
There is a large carpark and turning area with in 50 metres of the look out. Toilet block too.
Written 22 August 2019
There is a beach to the left of Shakespear Reserve called Flaxmill Bay, and when you walk up to the lookout at Shakespear Reserve, there is also a walk way to Lonely Bay, a beautiful small Bay, you can also take a track which will lead you to Cooks Beach to the right of Shakespear Reserve.
There are many tracks over the Shakespear Reserve, and fantastic views of the Mercury Bay and Islands.
Written 5 December 2016
Would this be a good day out for children under 5?
4 and 2?
Written 29 September 2016
Very strenuous for little ones. Smallest would need piggybacks! I am guessing ti would take the whole day with many stops on the way. It would be easier to drive. Lovely beache s nearby with children's play areas.
Written 22 August 2019
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