Discover the Far North

Scooting up Aotearoa’s skinniest part takes visitors between two very different coastlines, past long swathes of beach, along wild and beautiful stretches to isolated seaside spots and buzzy little towns. Ample sunshine explains the mellow, easy-going mood up here.

Talk to a Local

Lee Graham - Chef and Owner of Mangōnui Fish Shop

My top must-do’s for visitors:

• Matauri Bay, a 30-minute drive from Kerikeri via the scenic east coast highway. Visit the monument to the Rainbow Warrior and if time is available get a scuba dive in.

• Next it’s a two-hour jaunt to the end of the highway at Cape Rēinga. This windswept headland offers breathtaking views and is also nearby to Te Paki Giant Sand Dunes.

• Ahipara. This is a west coast beach that is frequented by many locals. It’s a popular surf beach with options to hire a quad bike, skim on a sandboards, or sail a land yacht. Walk along the beach to Shipwreck Bay to spot some surfing action.

You might not have heard of this one: Take a half hour out of your schedule to visit Mahinepua Beach and Mahinepua Peninsula Track which offers stunning views to Cavalli Islands. This picturesque bay is mostly deserted except during peak summer holiday periods and is a 15-minute drive north of Matauri Bay.

I’m starting to feel hungry just thinking about Spice Grill Indian Cuisine in Kaeo. The owner, Sarabjit Singh, offers traditional homestyle Northern Indian cooking with a good vege selection and occasionally a tasty goat curry.

For a delightful day trip I recommend Karikari Peninsula. Visit Karikari Estate for lunch, wine tasting and sweeping views out to white-sand beaches. Enjoy a dip in the ocean at nearby Matai Bay and then stop at the Cable Bay Ice cream Store for a sweet treat on the way home.

Living in Far North is awesome because there are no traffic lights! Time seems to slow down here, with no big city traffic jams, just kilometres of breathtaking coastline.

I love that it’s relatively underdeveloped, with a raw natural beauty.

Sandboarding © David Kirkland

Want more? Visit https://aatraveller.co.nz/travel-guides and get planning.

Looking for a place to stay? Book accommodation at aa.travel.co.nz