Slow down and get out of town
Your guide to getting off the beaten track in Taitokerau Northland
Cape Reinga and the Bay of Islands are always on a Northland itinerary, but in this part of the country it’s as much about the journey as the destination.
Slow down, get out of town, and explore some lesser-known places along the way. This is travel, Northland Style.
A trip through Taitokerau Northland is like experiencing a trip around the world. The ancient kauri forests along the west coast are home to giants of the natural world.
Discover Māori heritage in the birthplace of New Zealand
Known as the birthplace of Aotearoa New Zealand, Taitokerau Northland has a rich history and culture dating back to when Polynesian voyager Kupe landed in 295 AD, triggering the migration that first settled the country.
There’s more recent history to explore as well at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the place where the founding document of New Zealand came to be. Then there are mineral-rich pools, forests filled with legends, and the manaakitanga (hospitality) of Northland locals.
Take the time to learn about and immerse yourself in te ao Māori (the Māori world).
Manea Footprints of Kupe
This 75-minute multisensory journey will introduce you to the legendary explorer Kupe through guided storytelling in the form of art, film, performance, taonga (treasures) and the beautiful natural surroundings of the Hokianga Harbour.
Ngawha Springs
This place has a long history of being a place of restoration and healing, and each of the geothermal pools has its own unique temperature, colour, minerals and healing properties. Revitalise your body, mind and wairua (spirit) in the mineral-rich waters.
Awesome Adventures
Stay, eat and play longer in Hokianga with an Awesome Adventures fully hosted home stay. You can also add an adrenaline kick to your cultural encounter with a jet ski safari around the Hokianga Harbour with their local guides who’ll share stories that have been passed down through generations.
Footprints Waipoua
This is an intimate encounter with the legends of the Atua (forest gods), the waiata (songs), the rongoa (medicine) and their magic. Your local Māori guide will take you on a spiritual journey beneath the giants of the Waipoua Forest, introducing you to ancient kauri that have stood for centuries.
Manea Footprints of Kupe
Manea Footprints of Kupe
Explore islands and beaches
Taitokerau Northland’s contrasting coastlines offer an array of unique experiences, from wild and rugged to tranquil and romantic.
The Bay of Islands is undoubtedly the jewel in Northland’s crown. Spend the night at one of the campsites on Urupukapuka Island to take advantage of the tranquillity once the day trippers have dispersed.
Find yourself and not too many others along the hike to the Cape Brett lighthouse. Book mid-week and you may have this historical trail and hut all to yourself. Look for seals on the rocks and experience a spectacular sunrise over the Cape. For more scenic hikes, try the breathtaking Duke’s Nose (Kaiaraara Rocks) or Saint Paul’s Rock tracks.
Te Rerenga Wairua Cape Reinga, where the oceans collide, is a popular destination but it’s worth taking some extra time to explore this culturally significant spot. The 2km between Cape Reinga to Te Werahi Beach is one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the country. Campsites at Tapotupotu Bay and Spirits Bay offer great family experiences in incredible locations.
Visit other worlds
A trip through Taitokerau Northland is like experiencing a trip around the world. The ancient kauri forests along the west coast are home to giants of the natural world.
Lake Rotopokaka, also known as Coca-Cola Lake, is a nice swim spot on the Karikari Peninsula. Its name comes from the colour of the water that is tinged reddy brown as a result of the peat and tannins.
A whole other world awaits beneath the waves, too. If you’re into diving, the Canterbury wreck in the sheltered bay of Deep Water Cove in the Bay of Islands offers some of the country’s best. Accessible and perfectly intact, this wreck offers divers of varying abilities the opportunity to discover colourful schools of fish, anemone and crayfish.
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Matapouri, Tutukaka Coast. Photo credit: Whangarei District Council.
Matapouri, Tutukaka Coast. Photo credit: Whangarei District Council.
Relaxing at Ngawha Springs.
Relaxing at Ngawha Springs.
Waipu Coastal Walkway. Image credit: Whangarei District Council.
Waipu Coastal Walkway. Image credit: Whangarei District Council.
Moureeses Beach, Whananaki. Image credit: Whangarei District Council.
Moureeses Beach, Whananaki. Image credit: Whangarei District Council.
Tane Mahuta.
Tane Mahuta.
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