WELLSFORD, TE HANA & KAIWAKA

Wellsford, Te Hana and Kaiwaka are three small rural communities that straddle the border of the Auckland and Northland Regions.

Port Albert Shed - By Sarah Warrington

WALKS, PARKS AND CAMPING

Wellsford Often referred to as the ‘Gateway to the North’, the farming town of Wellsford is also the gateway to beautiful surf beaches to the east and the magnificent Kaipara Harbour in the west. Te Hana The small settlement of Te Hana is just 5 minutes drive north of Wellsford and is home to the Te Hana Te Ao Marama Maori Cultural Centre. Te Hana Te Ao Marama has a range of tours that allow you the opportunity to immerse yourself in Maori culture whilst getting an insight into 17th-century pre-European Maori life.

Port Albert - By Sarah Warrington

Kaiwaka Heading north, Kaiwaka is the first settlement as you cross over to Northland. Known as the “Little Town of Lights”, the local businesses have adorned their buildings with lights that come to life after the sun goes down.

Atiu Creek Regional Park Just west of Wellsford on the Tapora Peninsula is Atiu Creek Regional Park. With over 800 hectares of unspoiled rural land overlooking the Kaipara Harbour, the working farm is open to the public for everyone to enjoy. Atiu Creek is made up of wetlands, native bush and rolling farmlands so, whilst it’s not known for its beach holidays, it’s perfect for an active one. Several shared tracks weave their way around the park that are popular with walkers, mountain bikers and horse riders.

If you are looking for more than a day trip, Courtyard House is a cottage complex that can sleep up to 23 people and even has a separate event building. However, this is often booked in advance, so be sure to check availability. There is also a basic campsite within the park near Solomon’s Bay, and self-contained vehicles are permitted to stay in the car park for one night. If you intend to explore the park by horseback, you must have a permit from Auckland Council. There are also overnight horse paddocks near both the campsite and Courtyard House for those who decide to stay over. Dome Valley Summit Track The Dome Valley Summit Track is a 3-hour round trip from the Dome Valley Tea Rooms just north of Warkworth. The first 40 minutes is an easy walk to the lookout, where you can enjoy views across the Peninsula and out to the Hauraki Gulf. From there, walkers have two choices – turn around and head back for a cup of tea or carry on up the steep and rocky track to the Summit, where you will be rewarded with breathtaking views across the Valley. The path crosses sacred Iwi land, so walkers need to ensure that they are respectful and keep on the track.