3 minute read
Dargaville Must-Dos 2022-23
Trounson National Park © Northland Inc.
Baylys Beach
Advertisement
A 12-minute drive from Dargaville reveals New Zealand’s longest drivable beach. The more famous Ninety Mile Beach is 88km whereas this beauty is a full 100km. The powerful rips are better suited to surfers but walks along the golden cliffs and picnics in the dunes are heavenly.
Kaihū Tavern
Fifteen minutes from Kai Iwi Lakes, discover a country pub. Enjoy good wholesome tucker, Kiwi humour and a handful of charming cats and dogs. Whether lost or stray, word has spread that The Kaihū takes in wayfarers.
Trounson Kauri Park
This amazing Kauri Forest houses natives as old as 1200 years old. Hit the boardwalk for a 30-40 minute stroll through this pristine forest environment. Accessible for those with limited mobility as paths are level and well maintained.
Dargaville Museum /Te Whare Taonga o Tunatahi
Arguably one of the country’s best small museums. Marvel at the 16m waka, replica gum-diggers camp, shipwreck relics and the original ship masts from bombed boat, Rainbow Warrior – stationed outdoors before a glorious view.
The Woodturners
Kauri Gallery Owner and master woodturner Rick Taylor creates and sells incredible kauri objects in his studio and adjoining gallery. Pop in for a gift, nosey and a yarn.
Dargaville Rail Tours
Jump inside a converted golf cart and trundle along disused railway lines. There are two routes to pick from, ranging from two hours to eight.
Pōuto © Northland Inc.
Pōuto Peninsula
The Pōuto Peninsula reaches into the Kaipara Harbour creating one of the sheltering arms of the harbour mouth. The township of Dargaville sits at the northern start point of the peninsula; you’ll find the retired lighthouse in its place of servitude, t the southernmost edge.
The Kaipara North Head lighthouse is one of only a small number of timber lighthouses remaining in New Zealand. Constructed in 1883-1884, it was erected to guide shipping across the treacherous Kaipara bar. Despite its presence and in part due to the lack of landmarks on the peninsula from which to take bearings, there have been 113 recorded shipwrecks off the coast of Pōuto: the first being the Aurora, a 550-ton barque that perished in 1840.
Much of Pōuto (over 600ha) is covered by sand dunes making it one of the largest unmodified dune systems in New Zealand, with many towering over 100 metres above sea level and the highest reaching a staggering 214 metres.
