Hokianga & Kauri Coast
Dargaville
Ho k i anga Area
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.
Matakohe
The Woodturners Kauri Gallery
HŌreke
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.
Wellsford
Dargaville Rail Tours Jump Kai Iwi Lakes, discover a Kohukohufrom country pub run by Raewyn and
Baylys Beach A 12-minute drive
from Dargaville presents New Zealand’s longest driveable 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.
RĀwene
Kaihū Tavern Fifteen minutes
Kai Iwi Lakes Glistening in shades
Grant. 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.
usually associated with exotic islands, pitch a tent at one of two campsites, laze on platinum-white sand, swim in tropical coloured water or find your own secret beach while undertaking glistening lakeside walks.
inside a converted golf cart and trundle along disused railway lines. There are two routes to pick from, ranging from two hours to eight.
LEFT: Baylys Beach LOWER LEFT: Matakohe countryside BOTH: © Adobe Stock INSET: Matakohe Kauri Museum © AATP
Ōpononi & Ōmāpere
KaihŪ Dargaville
Matakohe Matakohe Kauri Museum
there’s a café next door.
Kaipara Harbour Famed for Wellsfordgreat fishing, keen anglers will
Thirty-five minutes south of Dargaville in Matakohe is this truly impressive museum. Take a peek into Northland’s pioneering past and learn how ancient kauri trees shaped both the people and the land. Well worth a few hours; plus
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want to drop a line off the wharf in one of the harbour settlements. While here, enjoy the nearby bush reserves and a handful of relaxing cafés.
The Coates Memorial Church Matakohe is where the country’s first elected New Zealand-born Prime Minister, Joseph Coates, was born. This dainty wee church, built in his honour, is 150 years old, attached to the Kauri Museum and enveloped by a striking flower garden. PAGE 9 - REGIONAL MAP
