WHITIANGA Whitianga is another of those towns that have over recent years experience very rapid growth. But with Whitianga there is history that is recorded from Captain Cook’s arrival at Cooks Beach. (a ferry ride away). Whitianga is the assumed ‘capitol’ of east Coromandel Peninsula. This large sheltered bay was named by Captain Cook when he observed in 1769 the transit of Mercury. The excerpt from Wikipedia… “From Cook's journal - "my reasons for putting in here were the hopes of discerning a good harbour and the desire I had of being in some convenient place to observe the Transit of Mercury, which happens on the 9th instant and will be wholly visible here if the day is clear between 5 and 6 o'clock." The sighting of the Transit of Mercury is commemorated at Cooks Beach by a cairn of Coromandel granite which tells the story; "In this bay was anchored 5 Nov 1769, HMS Endeavour Lieutenant James Cook RN, Commander. He observed the transit of Mercury and named this bay." The original European settlement was situated on the opposite side of the river from approximately 1836 to 1881. Whitianga is serviced by a passenger ferry from Cooks Beach. The Museum at Whitianga is open seven days and gives a good account of the townships Maori and of Captain Cook’s exploration in the region. Whitianga has an ‘old’ hotel that is well maintained and located by the wharf and is a popular meeting place. Whitianga War Memorial is located in the centre of the town. There are no old churches, but again we have representation of the Anglican Church. Whitianga is a great town, is vibrant and worth a number of days visit.