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in the
North Island
and the
South Island
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in
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National Park
and in the rest of the
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or
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Far North
Waipoua Kauri Forest
is first up in the Far North District. Click on the links for information
on what to see and do in this forest park. Heading over the hill to Omapere at
the entrance
of the
Hokianga Harbour
The view
is just amazing.
Opononi
would be another good choice for a stay of a day
or two.
Wairere Boulders
would be well worth
a look in. From Opononi take
highway 12 to Taheke and
turn left into Horeke-Taheke
Road and follow it for about 14 km.
Turn into McDonnell Road
on the
right and follow the road to the end at the steel gate. Drive through the gate and follow
the arrows to the parking area. This valley has turned out
to be world unique,
the only place
where you can find so many boulders in one heap and the only place
where you can find that
type of surface erosion on basalt.
From Opononi the next stop would be to wait for the
Rawene Ferry across
to
Kohukohu
then
onto Mangamuka
Bridge.
Here, take highway 1 north through the Mangamuka Gorge up to
Kaitaia. Ahipara and the ninety Mile Beach are now in easy reach. Awanui is the
next
town north and from here you set off for Cape Reinga. There are several ways
of doing this
trip. Probably the best way would be to let someone else do the driving.
Fullers
offer
this
tour and they can pick you up from Paihia or Keri Keri. There are several coach
tours that do
day trips and they travel one way via the Ninety Mile Beach
depending on tide. The drivers
are very experienced in negotiating the many hidden
dangers along the way including the
shifting quicksand up the Te Paki stream. At
Cape Reinga there are many ways to fill in time.
See the mighty Pacific and
Tasman Oceans meet. Try one of the many
walks, or just enjoy the beauty of this wonderful sacred place.
If fishing is your thing
Snapper Classic NZ Surfcasting Contest.
Try your luck with this annual
surfcasting contest held at 90 mile beach every year. Reputed to be the largest
contest of this type in New Zealand. The biggest snapper is worth NZ$50000.00
It is held usually in Feb..
More details for next year as they come to hand. Follow the link for more info
and entry form to participate.
GOOD LUCK.
In 1998 Geoff Chapple started walking
Te Araroa (The Long Pathway).
This is a proposed hiking trail for the length of New Zealand which is hoped to
be fully open by late 2010. Note: Much of the
route follows trails that already exist, or forestry roads, and could be tramped
now so check the website out, you may like to try walking some of the trail
while still in New Zealand.
Heading south again stops at Spirits Bay and the small village of Te Hapua
would
be worthwhile as would a stop at Pukenui. At
Houhora
you
can take a little time
out for some kayaking, fishing or just sunbathing on the
beach. On return to
Awanui the
coastal route south is highway 10. About 15 kms down this road there is a turn
on
the left to
Karikari Peninsula which explores Whatuwhiwhi, Tokerau Beach and Matai Bay,
all nice spots. A lovely motor camp is situated at the end of the peninsula at
Matai Bay
Further down the highway into
Doubtless Bay
there are more
beach settlements such as
Taipa, Cable Bay, Coopers Beach and Mangonui which is
renowned for it's fantastic
fish and chips.
Whangaroa with it's unusual landscape is about another 35kms south of Mangonui.
Here you
can charter boats to go fishing or game fishing. The Fruit Bowl of the
north is
Keri Keri
with
it's fertile volcanic soils .Turn left towards Waitangi at Puketona Junction. Follow the river till
Haruru falls
on the left.
A good place to stretch those legs before exploring the mighty
Bay of Islands.
Waitangi and Paihia are the next towns.
Waitangi
was
the venue for the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi
between the early Maori and
the European people (Feb 6 1840) Paihia is geared up as a tourist destination. Over
a couple hills and Opua has a
Car ferry
to take you to Okiato, then Russell which
was New Zealand's
first capital is ten minutes drive. Russell was once known as the "hell hole
of
the Pacific". Stay here for a few days to take all the activities in.
Heading south again Kawa Kawa with it's
Railway line
in the middle of the road
and new
Hundertwasser
Toilets.
The Far North
bids you farewell, as you head back down state highway 1 and the
Whangarei
District
welcomes you.
Cape Brett
Walkways
The Cape Brett track is Northland's answer to
the Milford track and requires a good level of fitness.
Cape
Brett track begins at Oke Bay in Rawhiti and ends below the lighthouse at
the seaward end of the Cape Brett peninsula. The track is well marked and
maintained.
A
walking permit is required for the Cape Brett track. This can be purchased
from the Department of Conservation in Russell + 64 9 4039 005.
Tall Ship Sailing on 'R. Tucker Thompson Ahoy, me hearties! Time to set the sail and take the helm. What better way to explore the peaceful waters of the Bay of Islands than by the 'R. Tucker Thompson' tall ship. This replica of a 100 year old schooner looks just like a working ship of the 18th century and you can spend the day onboard exploring the bays and beaches of this beautiful Maritime Park.
This tour is seasonal and operates from October through to April.
Hotels and Motels
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Blue Pacific Quality
Apartments 166 Marsden Road, Paihia,
Phone
+64 9 402 0011 E-mail All our apartments have full kitchens with microwave, fridge/freezer and dishwasher. The apartments are also equipped with their very own washing machine/dryer combination. The apartments are superbly appointed and have Sky Digital & Flat Screen TV, internet connection and your own DDI telephone line (direct line). There is a wireless broadband service available for those guests with a laptop computer
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Acacia
Lodge Mill Bay Road, Mangonui,
Doubtless Bay,
Phone: +64 9 406 0417
Email Our Mangonui Motel is Situated on the water's edge, with views of Mangonui Harbour, this setting is one of the most picturesque in New Zealand. Ideal for your holidays in Northland New Zealand and all your Mangonui accommodation needs. 15 well-appointed quality motel units offering studio and 2-bedroom family accommodation units, with verandas, cooking facilities and double, king or queen-size beds. All units are furnished and decorated to a high standard. Wheelchair and easy access for the elderly have been built into the design. All but one of our Mangonui Motel accommodation units face the water, and overlook our NEW HEATED SALT WATER SWIMMING POOL |
Driftwood
Lodge Cable Bay, State Hwy 10
P O Box 227, Mangonui, New Zealand
Phone
+64 9 406-0418
Driftwood Lodge is a
very special small Motel set right on one of Northlands superb clean
safe beaches. The area is renowned for fishing and many guests have had
the pleasure of catching a fish before breakfast! Which can be freshly
cooked on the BBQ. Why not join us for one of
our world famous happy hours on the huge viewing deck with spectacular
views of Doubtless Bay
Backpackers
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Sunseeker lodge
Old Hospital Road, Whangaroa, RD1, Kaeo
Phone: -9-405 0496
Email Enjoy your stay with us when visiting Whangaroa. Set in a peaceful bush setting with spectacular harbour views. Fishing and game fishing trips available. 50m walk to jetty, hotel and game fishing club. Boat ramp handy. Sea kayaks, windsurfer, motor boat for hire. |
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Bay Cabinz
32-34 School Road - Paihia - Bay of
Islands
Phone: + 64 9 402 8534
Email
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Aroha Island
Aroha Island Ecological
Centre, P.O. Box 541, Keri Keri
Phone (09) 407 5243
Keri Keri is probably the most
accessible Kiwi habitat in Northland. They have a bunkhouse, a cottage and
campervan or tent sites.
There is a variety of coastal and forest walkways in the Opononi area,
several of these begin at
Okopako lodge.
Enjoy the fresh organic
fruit and veggies from this lodge.
Wainui backpacker and Lodge
Te Wahapu Road
phone (09) 4038278
is situated on the shore
of one of the bays in the Bay of Islands.
Motor Camps and camping Grounds
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Matauri Bay
camp R.D.1.
KAEO. NORTHLAND. NEW ZEALAND.
Ph / Fax 64 9 4050 525 has an all year round Camping Ground that has everything you'll need to have a great holiday. Beautiful views from right on the beach, awesome walking tracks around the rocks, the Rainbow Warrior Memorial, and of course, all the water activities you can imagine.. So, for the best camping holiday you'll ever, come and stay with us at the Matauri Bay Holiday Park. Caravans with Awnings, Power Sites, and Tent Sites. |
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Beachside
Holiday Park
Paihia-Opua Road, PO Box 41, Paihia
Phone: +64 (9) 402 7678 Sheltered and secluded, nestled in its own private bay surrounded by trees and bush, our camp is very popular with boaties, fishermen, divers and those who prefer a quiet holiday away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Our camp is especially popular if you like tenting on the beach and enjoy the sound of lapping water near your feet and native birdlife in the surrounding bush. |
Waipoua Forest and Trounson Park
have campsites provided by the Department of
Conservation
Orongo Bay
Holiday Park 5960
Russell Rd, Russell, Bay of Islands
Phone/Fax:
09 403 7704
We are surrounded by native bush in a Kiwi
and Weka protected zone yet only a few minutes by car from the historic Russell
township. Enjoy waking to the sound of New Zealand native birds including Tuis,
Fantails, Wood Pigeons and Pukekos The pool, BBQs and
landscaped ponds with seating areas enable guests to enjoy our unspoiled natural
environment.
Russell
Top 10 Holiday Park
Longbeach Road, Russell, Bay of Islands
Phone: +64 (9) 403 7826
Russell is located in the heart of the Bay
of Islands, on a small peninsula surrounded by Pohutukawa fringed bays, sandy
beaches and tranquil waters, providing a central base for touring the Bay of
Islands and Northland. The township has a peaceful, romantic atmosphere with a
good range of services, including restaurants, cafes and local crafts. All Bay
of Islands tours and cruises, sailing and big game fishing charters depart the
Russell Wharf, as well as regular passenger ferries to Paihia.
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Far North
Bay Of Islands
Whangarei
Whangarei
walks
Kaipara
Dargaville
Rodney
Wenderholm
Whangaparaoa
Sandspit
Taranaki
Mt Damper Falls
Taupo
Picton
Port Underwood
Interisland Ferries
Waimate
Gunn's Bush
Dunedin
Taieri Gorge Railway
Baldwin Street