6 minute read
ROAD TRIP: A journey from Mangawhai to Whangārei
Mangawhai to Waipū and Waipū Beach via Cove Rd - 30min, 25.2km
Waipū to Whangārei via SH1 through the seaside town Ruakākā and inland to Otaika - 40min, 39.3km
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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
Waipū dairy
Virginia Guy
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 PtOil 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.
HIGHLIGHTS
Whangārei Falls walk
Northland Tourism
MANGAWHAI AND MANGAWHAI HEADS - With rolling surf perfect for playing and a harbour and estuary with calm water for safe paddling, Mangawhai appeals to all. Kick back and go fishing, swimming, surfing, birdwatching or horse riding and play golf.
Mangawhai Heads
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WAIPŪ - Waipū’s original 940 European settlers emigrated from Scotland via 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 The town that feels like a holiday resort, discover specialty shops, cafés and eateries, including the award-winning The Quay restaurant.
WHANGĀREI FALLS Situated not far from the city, the Whangārei Falls are spectacular. These 26-metre-high falls include a picturesque 30-minute loop walk through native bush, with vantage points, excellent views at the top and a pretty picnic spot at the base.
RUAKĀKĀ BEACH is a treat. With13km of ice-white sand, the calmest of water and a playground.
WHANGĀREI
This small, sunny city is the country’s northernmost, 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. Walk along the nearby Hatea Loop, a 4.2km pathway that 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.
Whangārei Must-Do's
> Whangārei Falls
> AH Reed Memorial Kauri Park
> Mt Parihaka
> Mair Park
> Abbey Caves
> Mt Manaia
Mt Manaia
Northland Tourism
TOP NORTHLAND BEACHES
MANGAWHAI HEADS A popular white-sand surf beach with standout sand dunes and a calm estuary for a more sedate experience.
LANGS BEACH Around the corner from busier Waipū. It’s popular for swimming, although it can be dangerous in poor conditions.
WAIPŪ COVE Enjoy kilometres of golden sand with rolling surf, rock pools for fossicking and a beachside café for a bite to eat.
Side Trip to WHANGĀREI HEADS
Ocean Beach
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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, waterfronting beer garden.
DON’T MISS! BREAM BAY Bream Bay stretches from Mangawhai to Whangārei Harbour in a scoop of impressive coastline, Ruakākā Beach is one long expanse of white sand, One Tree Pt is a sheltered spot great for swimming and fishing and at Marsden Cove there is a safe,all-tide, deep water marina. All have a beachy, summery village character.
Ocean Beach wave
Gyles Dyer
Top Northland Walks
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.
MT MANAIA TRACK A steady climb through regenerating native bush to the summit of Mt Manaia rewards you with breathtaking 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, Whangārei Heads
NorthlandNZ.com
TE WHARA TRACK This is an excellent day hike with challenging, steep parts and several sets of steps. It’s at Whangārei Heads, in the Bream Bay Scenic Reserve starting from Ocean Beach or Urquharts Bay. Albeit strenuous, the far-reaching views are marvellous. Trek through some of the best coastal forest in the North Island to the Te Whara summit, with views of Cape Brett to Cape Rodney, and on a clear day, the Hauraki Gulf Islands too. 7.5km, 5-6hr.
