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New Zealand > Northland
With giant bamboo, frangipani, banana & jacaranda
trees, warm & humid, Northland is New Zealand's
sub-tropical paradise.
 Seeped in history, with plenty of exciting recreational activities, the
blue-green world of the Bay of Islands is a lifestyle that can be experienced
all year round. There is so
much to see and do that you could
never be bored. Walk on unsullied
sands, along deserted beaches, trek
through magnificent ancient
Kauri
forests or body surf in the Tasman
Sea or the Pacific Ocean. The clear
waters of Northland's beaches are
sought after by aquatic lovers of all
ages. Whether it is diving, sailing,
boating, swimming with dolphins,
taking a scenic cruise, harvesting
the sea's bounty in some of the best
ocean fishing to be found in the
world, or visiting historic places,
Northland has it all.
Let's take a
round trip along the east coast
highway to Whangarei, stopping at
some of the places of interest along
the way.
 Tutukaka
and the Bay of Islands
Think big game fishing - think
Tutukaka and the Bay of Islands. Zane
Grey immortalized this area when he
caught his first marlin in 1926.
North
half an hour is Paihia,
an ideal base from which to explore the north and
east of Northland. Renown
for its safe waters, superb beaches
and top class accommodation, outstanding
restaurants and holiday activities to
suit all. Whether your interests are
unspoiled beaches, fishing,
skydiving, parasailing, scuba diving,
kayaking or bush walks - you will
find something to challenge and
please you. If you get the chance,
take the world renown Cape Brett
'Hole In The Rock' cruise or the
Fuller's Cream Trip
 Just
across the bay by quick ferry ride is
the charming township of Russell.
The first capital and totally steeped
in history, it was the cradle for the
multi-cultural nation that New
Zealand has become. A little further
north is Waitangi, New
Zealand's premier historic site where
Maori and European joined in signing
the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. The
site has been preserved along with
the first Governor's residence.
Kerikeri
is just a fifteen minutes away. One
of New Zealand's largest fruit
producing areas and the home of a
thriving art community with roadside
signs denoting potters, painters,
leadlight artists and sculptors.
Don't miss the old Stone Store and
Kemp house - New Zealand's oldest
home.
A
stay in the Bay of Islands
wouldn’t be complete without a
visit to one or more of the islands
in the Bay. Urupukapuka is the
largest and close by are Moturua
and Roberton Islands. Just
north of the Bay are the Cavali
Islands, a haven for the diving
and fishing enthusiasts. Dive on the
wreck of the Rainbow Warrior, the
original flagship of the Greenpeace
organisation which was sunk by the
French military because they were
upset at Greenpeace drawing attention
to the French nuclear testing in
Muroroa.
Further
north is Doubtless Bay which
centres on the quaint fishing village
of Mangonui where a Heritage
Trail, a leisurely one-hour stroll
takes in some 22 of the more
significant pre and post European
sites of historical importance.
There is an abundance of superb safe
beaches in only minutes away. Coopers
Beach, Cable Bay with its
yellow sand and Taipa are each
separate with their own distinct
flavour. Take a side trip up the Karikari
Peninsula and visit Tokerau
Beach and Whatuwhiwhi with
pristine white sands and miles and
miles of continuous beach and sand
dunes.
Kaitaia, the most
northern service centre in New
Zealand has a good shopping centre
with cafes, restaurants, museum and
Visitor Information Centre. It boasts
the most northern award winning
vineyard in New Zealand, one of the
best left-hand surf breaks in the
world, the worlds biggest snapper
surf-fishing contest and the best
tours to Cape Reinga. It is also rich
in Maori and European history.
Don’t miss the Tutu Trail in a
four wheel drive vehicle taking you
up over the sand dunes to the
historic gum digging area which once
supported a tent and shanty 'city' of
over 100,000 gumdiggers from all over
the world.
Beyond Kaitaia is a
stretch of almost boundless sand
flanked by the Tasman Sea in the west
and by forests in the east before the
land drops into the Pacific on the
other side of the Aupouri Peninsula.
To the west lies the gateway to 90
Mile Beach, Ahipara, with
Historic Gum Fields, gigantic sand
dunes, Golf Course, surfing and
fishing. To the east are the
beautiful beaches of the Karikari
Peninsula and Doubtless Bay. To the
North is the Aupouri Peninsula, home
of Cape Reinga, 90 Mile Beach, North
Cape, the Three Kings and three
splendid harbours; Parengarenga
Harbour, Houhora Harbour and Rangaunu
harbour and to the south are the
historic areas of the Hokianga
and Dargaville where imposing
Kauri forests and the fresh water
lakes of Kai Iwi draw both locals and
visitors.
What ever your choice,
you can soak up the sunshine in a
sub-tropical climate, far from the
hustle and bustle of city life. Here,
the water is pure, the air is clear,
the beauty is seductive and
everywhere is less crowded.
Paihia
Accommodation
Winemaking in
Northland has undergone rapid
expansion in recent years after
nearly dying out, although it still
rates as the country's smallest
region. Overall, this region
experiences the warmest ripening
conditions, very suitable for
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and
Chardonnay. The vineyards are sited
mainly on gentle slopes or flats on a
variety of soils ranging from shallow
clay to free draining volcanic soils.
Places To See
Tutukaka, Kawakawa, Opua,
Paihia, Haruru Falls, Russell,
Waitangi, Kerikeri, Mangonui, Coopers
Beach, Cable Bay, Taipa, Tokerau Beach,
Whatuwhiwhi, Awanui, Kaitaia,
Houhora, Cape Reinga, Ahipara,
Hokianga, Dargaville,
Waipoua Forest |
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