Things to Do in Northland
Relax in beautiful local bays, enjoy peaceful picnic spots, do the cafés, browse the shops, explore stunning isolated places. The wide range of activities available includes guided walks, golf, kayaks, fishing, quad bike hire, horse treks, sailing, glow-worms, wineries, rifle range, Vintage Museum, Whaling Museum and Regional Museum.
Tours
Local coach tours to Cape Reinga and 90 Mile Beach are great value. Day trips depart reception 9am and return approx 4.30 or 5pm. The route of the two local coach companies is similar & both tours include lunch; we have happy customers return from both tours. The difference between the tours is:
Sand Safaris include a visit to Gumdiggers Park an interesting walk through the early history of the area, and their ticket includes entry fee to the park and fresh sandwiches for lunch at NZ$55/adult, $25/child.
Cape and Reef Runner Harrisons Cape Runner offer a light lunch and the best price at NZ$45 per adult, $25 per child.
For that touch of luxury, personalised tours are also available…
Far North Tours – Experience the wonder of Far North New Zealand with your own personal guide… explore famous 90 Mile Beach, dramatic Cape Reinga and a host of stunning and fascinating places off the main tourist route.
Cape Reinga Adventures offer you a unique opportunity to explore New Zealand’s only subtropical playground – the Far North, Cape Reinga region.
They cater for everyone from individuals and couples to corporate team events.
Sand Safaris also offer the option of personalised tours
Snow Cloud Yacht Charters offer a stunning day of sailing from Whangaroa Harbour to the subtropical Cavalli islands (resting place of the Rainbow Warrior). Private charters are available also. The harbour is located an hour east of Kaitaia and so we may not be the best place to stay for this one, but it is such a wonderful day we have included it here
Teddy Bear Sailing Charters provide fine sailing in Doubtless Bay and beyond
http://www.fishdive.biz.pn for fishing and diving in Doubtless Bay and beyond
Fish the wild West Coast with Wildcat Charters. Book through www.ahiparaadventure.co.nz
http://www.ahiparasurfschool.com provide a wonderful experience for all levels of surfing skill
Tui Inn provides hunting, fishing, diving and horsetrekking the way it used to be. Email tuiinn@xtra.co.nz
Visit http://www.taitokerau.co.nz/operators_farnorth.htm for business with a connection to the local Maori community
Tua Tua tours have quad biked the Gumfield trail with everyone from retirees to billionaires. Enjoy spectacular dunes above Shipwreck Bay & 90 Mile Beach, return around Reef Point. The two hour tour is our personal favourite for awesome views and family fun. The quad bikes are able to be ridden by anyone who can drive a car and you can double up if you wish. Sunglasses are a must.
http://www.ahiparaadventure.co.nz/ hire every toy for the beach, from quad bikes to surfboards to fishing rods to land yachts.
Food and Wine
Northland Food and Wine trail and map
www.farnorthwinecentre.co.nz is a font of knowledge and tasting on the many local wines and wineries. Located alongside the Old Oak Inn at Mangonui.
http://www.doubtless.co.nz has 3 lovely local red wines on our wine list
Okahu Estate is a multi gold medal wining local vineyard, only 3km from Kaitaia. Many on our wine list.
Museums
www.farnorthmuseum.co.nz/ is a great local museum
www.butlerpoint.co.nz make an appointment visit the history of whaling and seafarers of old.
www.matthewsvintage.com is a popular local attraction
Ancient Kauri Kingdom – Handcrafted furniture, art, crafts and gifts from the oldest workable timber in the world. Located in Awanui, 8km north of Kaitaia.
More local information is available through the local information centres. For Kaitaia and beyond, visithttp://www.fndc.govt.nz/infocentre/index.asp
P.P.P.S. A few more suggestions…
Between Kaitaia and Bay of Islands
Explore Doubtless Bay: Activities – Doubtless Bay Online and Information Centre
Suggestion: Call in to Mangonui on the edge of Doubtless Bay, for great fish & chips at Mangonui Fish & Chip Shop, wonderful food and coffee at Waterfront Café & quaint shops to browse.
Suggestion: When travelling SH10 between Kerikeri and Whangaroa, if it is a sunny day divert through the loop road above Matauri Bay to take in spectacular views.
Suggestion: Any day is a good day to visit Manginangina Scenic Reserve between Kerikeri and Kaeo; an easy 20 minute boardwalk through giant Kauri trees.
Suggestion: When traveling SH10, take a 15 minute drive up the Karikari Peninsula to Matai Bay. A favourite picnic spot is on the top of the grassy hill overlooking two perfect little bays.
On the way you will pass the Carrington Estate Golf Course +64 9 408 7222
and Winery . The winery offers wine, food and good coffee, and in the evenings the Carrington Club restaurant may be open for casual dining.
There is a nice country golf course mentioned with high regard on My Golf NUS, just north of the Whangaroa Harbour
Travelling the West Coast
Matakohe Kauri Museum – Experience the awesome history of the mighty kauri, its gum and the pioneering past
Dargaville Museum is an interesting stop and viewpoint above the town. You can still get a cup of instant coffee for a $1 donation in the honesty jar alongside the fridge at reception.
Suggestion: When in the Hokianga area consider a visit to Wairere Boulders, a really interesting walk. Check it out on the website and see what you think.
Suggestion: There is a ferry across the Hokianga Harbour, between Kohukohu and Rawene. It runs every hour on the hour from Kohukohu (the northern side) and on the half hour from Rawene (the southern side). When busy the timetable is disregarded and it shuttles back & forward every half hour or so.
Suggestion: The easy stroll to see the largest living rainforest tree http://www.hokiangatourism.org.nz/
Suggestion: Matakohe; one of the best museums in NZ, even though it is in the middle of the countryside. Ask at reception if you decide to linger longer and they will direct you to some lovely B&B’s close by.
Kaitaia area activities
Golf
Golfing at Ahipara. Club hire ½ set $10 $25 green fees
The Kaitaia Golf Club chose the free draining sands of Ahipara to build a delightful links Golf Course. It is a feature at the bottom end of 90 Mile Beach
Golfing at Houhora, the northernmost course, Two sets of tees on a 9 hole course, $10 green fees
Golfing at Carrington Club, Karikari $discount for NZ Club Members
More golf at Whangaroa or Kerikeri or Waitangi.
Shooting
Target Shooting, Hillcrest shooting centre to shoot a variety of targets and finish with a competitive shoot, $25pp, 5 minutes from Orana Motor Inn
5 people shoot at one time, maximum 15 people, (perhaps 5 teams of 3), on the range at any one time.
Trap & Skeet Shooting. Carrington Club, Karikari Peninsula 09 408 7222
Tui Inn provide hunting, fishing, diving and horsetrekking the way it used to be. Email Grant Davan at tuiinn@xtra.co.nz and he will guide you through the wilds of the Northland’s West Coast
Rental Cars
Rental cars: Available in Kaitaia through Archibald Motors, 143-145 Commerce Street – KAITAIA
ph: (00 64 9) 4081900 fax: (00 64 9) 4080140 www.northland-car-rental.co.nz