Kerikeri
Bay of Islands
WHILE THE BAY OF ISLANDS IS THE QUINTESSENTIAL SUMMER DESTINATION, IT’S REWARDING IN ALL SEASONS FOR THOSE
Kerikeri
WHO APPRECIATE PEACEFUL, UNCOMPLICATED DAYS
Russell
SURROUNDED BY BEAUTY.
Russell
Waitangi
Waitangi
Paihia Urupukapuka Island © Camilla Rutherford RIGHT: Russell waterfront © David Kirkland
Paihia
WHANGARURU
Whangaruru Harbour This far-reaching harbour is a coastal paradise, favoured for its secluded bays and clear water. No wonder it’s popular with dolphin visitors, too and there are plenty of those; they visit regularly.
Ōpua ABOVE: Fishing at Whangaruru Beach © Whangārei District Council BELOW: Kawakawa toilets © NorthlandNZ
Kawakawa
Kawakawa
Beach
Hundertwasser Toilet Block
Bay of Islands Vintage Railway A spectacle for visitors and a mild cause of alarm for drivers, this vintage locomotive is the only working railway in Aotearoa that chugs down a State Highway. Trundling right through the town of Kawakawa, you can ride the rails Friday to Sunday from Kawakawa’s historic 1911 train station.
achievements of Hundertwasser, this bold hub of creativity encompasses a small museum, public artwork, workshops, library and community town square. It’s a wonderful collision of colour and mosaic.
See Map Section - pages 58 to 61
Take the road less travelled on the Secret Coast Route, snaking 54km between Helena Bay and Russell. Every bend in the road presents a new curve of golden-delicious sand, and it doesn’t matter if it’s soaked in sun or drizzled in mist, the scenery is dramatic and spectacular.
Long
Celebrated Austrian artist, Friedensreich Hundertwasser made Kawakawa his second home in the 1970s. His unique creative design is evident in the town’s public toilets, located on the main street; the resulting kaleidoscope of colour and ceramics is well worth the stop.
Hundertwasser Memorial Park Celebrating the life and
Seaside Staycations Peppered with relaxed campgrounds and laid-back shorefront communities, holidays in Whangaruru are quintessentially Kiwi. That’s partly because of the handful of charming Kiwi dairies; it’s always Tip Topo’clock in these parts.
ALTERNATIVE COAST ROUTE
Kawiti Glowworm Caves Named after their caretakers, the Kawiti family, the Waiomio Glowworm Caves are cradled between rainforest and rocks. And where there be grottos, there be glowworms. Your tour journeys underground through caverns aglow with larvae.
Ruapekapeka Pā This pā, 20km
Te Rito Marae Sitting on the
southeast of Kawakawa is one of the largest and most complex in New Zealand; Ngāpuhi (Māori iwi/ tribe based in Northland) designed it specifically to counter the artillery fire of British forces and the earthworks can still be seen.
Twin Coast Cycle Trail in Moerewa, 10km from Kawakawa. Overnight stays include authentic whakatau (welcome and storytelling) and home-cooked kai. Come evening, poi performance and haka lessons are entwined with Māori narrative.
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