8 minute read
ROAD TRIP: Mangawhai to Whangarei
Mangawhai to Waipu and Waipu Beach via Cove Rd - 30min, 25.2km
Waipu to Whangārei via SH1 through the seaside town Ruakākā and inland to Otaika - 40min, 39.3km
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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
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, Waipu 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 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
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 and Bennetts of Mangawhai chocolatier, plus a host of eateries offering international cuisine using the local bountiful produce.
Mangawhai Heads
© Adobe Stock
WAIPU - Waipu’s original 940 European settlers emigrated from Scotland via Canada, and the Waipu Museum tells their story. McLeod’s Pizza Barn has a Scottish vibe and the McLeod’s Brewery is also on site. Grab a coffee from the uniquely named Togs, Togs, Undies Café then head to the beach at Waipu Cove. A top place to relax on the grassy verge, stroll on the white sands, or take adip in the rolling blue waves.
Waipu markets
© Northland Tourism
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 new Hundertwasser Art Centre and Wairau Māori Art Gallery.
CAVES - Unearth a world of stalagmites and stalactites at Abbey Caves located to the west of Whangārei or head into the Waipu Caves further south, approximately 20 minutes off SH 1, and spot their glowworms.
WHANGĀREI
This small, sunny city is the country’s northernmost, making it the warmest. Whangārei radiates with beauty.
The Town Basin is a pretty 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. Spot colourful artworks brightening up city spaces. Download the Whangārei Sculpture & Art brochure with a map of the Street Prints Manaia Street Art Trail to follow. Many artists have set up shop in Whangārei. Peruse their work 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. 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 punctuates Whangārei’s skyline.
Whangārei Falls
© Northland Tourism
> Town Basin Sculpture Trail
> Pohe Island Bike Park
> Hihiaua Cultural Centre
> Artisan Fair Market
> Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary
BEACHES
WAIPU COVE Enjoy this golden-sand beach with rolling surf, rock pools for fossicking and a beachside café.
Waipu Cove beach
© Adobe Stock
URETITI BEACH This popular beach has a DOC campground nestled in the sand dunes. Naturists use the beach area to the south of the camp.
OCEAN BEACH Located at the Whangārei Heads, beach lovers flock to this beautiful white-sand beach to play in the surf, run down the dunes or relax and enjoy the views of Bream Head.
TOP WALKS
MT AUBREY/RETOTAHI COASTAL WALKWAY - Located at Whangārei Heads, this loop walkway ticks all the boxes: bush, beach, amazing views and two walkways that can be joined to create a loop. You’ll pass homes dating back to the 1840s, a pretty historic church and bush thick with totara and puriri. 5km, 2hr.
SMUGGLERS BAY LOOP TRACK - Grab the kids and head to the Bream Head Scenic Reserve to walk this 3km loop track. You’ll walk through coastal forest, pass WWII gun emplacements and soak up spectacular views. 3km, 1hr 30min.
TE WHARA TRACK - This day hike has 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.
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. 4.2km, 1hr.
Hatea Loop
© Northland Tourism
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.
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. 10-min one way.
WAIPU TOWNSHIP
Waipu 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. They hold an annual Art n Tartan Wearable Arts Competition in winter while their Waipu Highland Games are held every New Year’s Day, with haggis and Scottish field games aplenty. Just 6km north of Waipu you’ll find the picturesque, and usually quiet, Uretiti Beach Department of Conservation campsite tucked neatly behind the sand dunes.
Waipu beach, Northland
© Northland Tourism
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-meetsgreen 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.
Ocean Beach wave
© Gyles Dyer
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 Waipu, Waipu 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.
Whangārei Heads
© Northland Tourism
