Discovering Shakespeare Cliff
Located near Cooks Beach and Ferry Landing, Shakespeare Cliff offers a remarkable vantage point over Mercury Bay. This spot is not only known for its breathtaking 270-degree views but also for its historical significance, marked by a cairn commemorating Captain Cook's 1769 visit aboard the HMS Endeavour.
Scenic Views and Historical Significance
From the viewing platform at Shakespeare Cliff, you can gaze southward to see Cooks Beach and the picturesque Lonely Bay in the foreground. To the southeast lies the vast Pacific Ocean, while the northeast reveals the continuation of the peninsula.
Cook's visit of 1769 was to measure the transit of Mercury across the southern sky, an astronomical event where the planet Mercury passes directly between Earth and the Sun, appearing as a small black dot moving across the Sun's face. This only occurs about 13 times each century and helps astronomers determine distances within the solar system. Hence, the European name of Mercury Bay.
How to Get There
To reach Shakespeare Cliff, drive past Cooks Beach towards Ferry Landing on Purangi Road and look for the sign directing you to the reserve. Enter the reserve, proceed up the metal road, and park at the top. From there, it's a short walk to the viewing platform.
The car park at Shakespeare Cliff serves as a starting point for several walking tracks through the reserve. One of the trails leads down to stunning Lonely Bay, and from there on to Cooks Beach. In the other direction, you can walk along the edge of Maramaratotara Bay to Ferry Landing, explore Whitianga Rock then take the 5 minute ferry ride to Whitianga.
