7 minute read
ROAD TRIP 1 START THE DAY AT MANGAWHAI
Mangawahi to Whangārei
Mangawhai to Waipū and Waipū Beach via Cove Rd - 30min, 25.2km
Advertisement
Waipū to Whangārei via SH1 through the seaside town Ruakākā and inland to Otaika - 40min, 39.3km
SIDE TRIP: Whangārei to Whangārei Heads from the urban centre of Whangārei, drive beside the Hātea River and along a scenic seaside road to Whangārei Heads – a beautiful coastal area of volcanic peaks and beaches 30min, 26.9km
© AA Traveller 2021
Your Northland escapade starts here. Head out of Auckland and aim for Mangawhai – the first of the many coastal villages that dot Northland’s east coast – before hitting the shores of the sparkling Pacific Ocean and cruising up the coast. Mangawhai Heads, Langs Beach, Waipū Cove and Ruakākā: the beaches that follow are some of the region’s most popular, with dazzling white sand and playful surf.
Take a detour to Marsden Cove to check out this growing marine village and the Marsden Pt Oil Refinery, or continue along SH 1 bound for Whangārei. From here the Whangārei Heads jut out into the ocean with the sheltered bays of the Whangārei Harbour on one side and the stunning ocean coast on the other; well worth an exploratory side trip.
Whangarei Town Basin
@ David Kirkland
HIGHLIGHTS
MANGAWHAI AND MANGAWHAI HEADS With rolling waves perfect for surfing and a harbour and estuary with calm water for safe paddling, Mangawhai appeals to all. Foodies are also well looked after with Kaiwaka Cheese Shop, Bennetts of Mangawhai chocolatier and olive orchards such as Echo Valley Olives (farm visits welcome by appointment).
Mangawhai Heads
© Adobe Stock
WAIPŪ Waipū’s original 940 European settlers emigrated from Scotlandv ia Canada, and the Waipū Museum tells their story.McLeod’s Pizza Barn has a Scottish vibe and the McLeod’s Brewery is also on site. Across the way, Little Red is a former shipping container turned café, and the beach at Waipū Cove is perfect for walks and swims.
WHANGĀREI With a dazzling harbour and sun-soaked waters, this city feels more like a holiday resort. Discover the marina, speciality shops and award-winning The Quay restaurant. The highlight here is the brand new Hundertwasser Art Centre and Wairau Māori Art Gallery.
WHANGĀREI FALLS Just 10 minutes from the city, these 26m-high falls are some of New Zealand’s most photographed. A 30-minute loop walk leads to two elevated viewing platforms as well as a picnic spot and safe swimming hole.
Whangārei Falls
© Northland Tourism
WHANGĀREI
This small, sunny city is the country’s northern most, making it the warmest in New Zealand. Whangārei radiates with beauty.
The Town Basin is an attractive hangout. This yachting marina is peppered with boats and framed by inviting restaurants, giving it a relaxed holiday vibe that puts visitors instantly at ease. The nearby Hatea Loop traces the Hatea River and features The Sculpture Trail: a stunning collection of eclectic installations. Many artists have set up shop in Whangārei. Peruse the finds at the canopy-covered ‘Market Bridge’, where an artisans’ market pops up every Saturday during summer.
The Whangārei Falls are 5km further north up the Tutukākā Coast Highway. They’re located an easy five-minute walk from the car park or you can complete the 30-minute loop track. Walkers also like to summit Mt Parihaka, the ancient volcano that punctures Whangārei’s skyline.
Free things to do include seeking an underworld of stalagmites and stalactites at Abbey Caves and descending on one of the many nearby beaches: beautiful Bream Bay is just south of the city.
THINGS TO DO
Whangārei Falls
AH Reed Memorial Kauri Park
Mt Parihaka
Mair Park
Hundertwasser Art Centre and Wairau Māori Art Gallery
TOP BEACHES
WAIPŪ COVE Enjoy kilometres of golden sand with rolling surf, rock pools for fossicking and a beachside café for a bite to eat.
RUAKĀKĀ BEACH One of the best surfbeaches in Northlandand patrolled by surf lifesavers. You can also swimand kayak here safely.
LANGS BEACH Around the corner from busier Waipū. It’s popular for swimming, although it can be dangerous in poor conditions.
Waipu Cove Beach
@ Adobe Stock
TOP WALKS
MT MANAIA TRACK A steady climb through regenerating native bush to the summit of Mt Manaiare wards you with breath taking views of the entrance to Whangārei Harbour. Highlights include one of the most dramatic harbour entrances in New Zealand,and the spectacular view from the Bluff lookout to Bream Head and the Hen and Chicken Islands. 3.5km, 2-3hr return.
Mt Manaia, Whangarei Heads
@ Adobe Stock
MANGAWHAI CLIFFS WALK The rugged beauty of New Zealand’s coast unfolds with panoramic views offering spectacular photo opportunities along this walk from the shoreline to the clifftops. Highlights include unique rock formations and the opportunity to see passing whales and schools of sharks. 5km, 2-3hr return.
WAIPŪ COASTAL TRAIL There are wonderful views out to the Hen and Chicken Islands and Whangārei Heads. Land and sea birds can be observed along the way. Mature coastal pōhutukawa forests grow from steep limestone cliffs, with rock formations similar to those at Punakāiki on the West Coast of the South Island. 5.3km,1.5hr return.
HATEA LOOP Whangārei has become quite the place to go for pontists – that’s people who fancy bridges - with the construction of Te Matau a Pohe (a lifting bascule road bridge over the Hātea River) and the Kotuitui Whiti foot and cycle bridge over the Waiarohia Stream. They’re both part of a 4.2km loop for walkers and cyclists around the upper river, which passes the shops and galleries of the Town Basin and passes local sculpture and information panels about the area’s heritage. 4.2km, 1hr.
ABBEY CAVES TRACK Cross farmland with unusual limestone outcrops before you reach these three amazing caves. With streams running through the bottom of them, be prepared to get wet feet. 2hr loop track.
PIROA FALLS TRACK This short track takes you through native forest ending at the beautiful Piroa Falls which is also a lovely swimming spot in the summer. 10min one way.
SIDE TRIP WHANGĀREI HEADS
This stunning peninsula has many beautiful bays and a backdrop of towering volcanic peaks. Known for its varied scenery, it’s bordered by the sheltered bays of the Whangārei Harbour on one side and the stunning ocean coast on the other. Between these runs a backbone of volcanic peaks.
As one of the Head’s most striking physical features, these ancient volcanoes mimic the shape of the islands offshore. Along the spine are the peaks of Mt Lion and Mt Manaia – well worth the steep climbs for the startling blue meets green land and sea views.
The Whangārei Harbour is good for swimming at high tide and exploring at low tide. Ocean Beach is a 5km stretch of pristine white sand and there’s safe swimming for families at Taurikura, while older kids might like to jump off the wooden footbridge that connects the two charming settlements of Pataua North and Pataua South: both have gorgeous beaches, too.
Bream Head is a striking sheer cliff face formed from volcanoes that erupted roughly 20 million years ago. Various hikes can be undertaken, including the three-hour return Peach Cove Track found 4km along Ocean Beach Rd. Extend your walk to stay overnight at the Peach Cove Hut.
The old-world coastal village of Parua Bay rewards visitors with cute cafés and small shops, as well as the Parua Bay Tavern which boasts a large, water fronting beer garden.
DREAMY BREAM BAY
Bream Bay stretches from Mangawhai to Whangārei Harbour and includes the bay itself, as well as the surrounding communities of Waipū, Waipū Cove, Langs Beach, Ding Bay, Ruakākā, Marsden Cove, One Tree Point, Marsden Point and Takahiwai, many of which boast glorious white-sand beaches and lovely villages.
Whangarei Heads
@ Adobe Stock
WAIPŪ TOWNSHIP
Waipū is a bonny wee place with cafés, bars and art studios. The town’s original 940 settlers came from Scotland and their influence can still be felt. Walking trails lead to historic sites such as McLeod’s house, church and blacksmiths, while the annual Waipū Highland Games are held every New Year’s Day, with haggis and Scottish field games aplenty. If you’re after a place to camp, picturesque Uretiti Beach DOC Campsite is often deserted and sits (some would say hides) behind the sand dunes. Located 6km north of Waipū.
Waipū Beach, Northland
© Northland Tourism
