Northland New Zealand

Auckland to Cape Reinga - and everything in between!

A TYPICAL NORTHLAND NEW ZEALAND BEACH

Northland New Zealand starts from Auckland to the tip of the North Island – Cape Reinga. This long narrow piece of land is blessed with beautiful beaches, and a sub tropical, warm climate. Most people like to travel through Northland, New Zealand's popular beach and tourist route, going up the east coast, usually at least as far as the

• Bay of Islands, but many right to
• Cape Reinga.They will then take a route down the west coast via the
• Waipoua Kauri Forest, perhaps visit the beautiful
• Kai-iwi Lakes, stop at


• Matakohe Kauri Museum and back to Auckland.

There is of course, much to see and do along the way with many detours you can take. See suggested detours below in the Main Route for Northland's New Zealand Scenic Tours.

Route North to Bay of Islands

• Orewa on the motorway, or stop for a spot of shopping at
• Silverdale where there is a whole village of
• discount shops
• On through Orewa, via
• Waiwera – you could have a break for a swim in the
• Waiwera Hot Pools, or have a quick look at the beach at
• Wenderholme just up the hill.
• Travel on to Warkworth. You could detour out to
• Puhoi for some
• cheese tasting – about 3 kilometres past Puhoi village, settled by Bohemian immigrants. I can recommend the cafe here. Or have a look in the historic and unique
• Puhoi pub! It is worth sticking your nose in, as it is rather like a travellers museum.

WARKWORTH RIVER

Many people like to drop in for lunch or honey tasting at the
• Honey Centre. There is also plenty of cafes in
• Warkworth, or you could picnic by the river. If you are cruising with plenty of time, you may even go out to some of the wineries or beautiful beaches at
• Matakana.
• Back to the main road and on to Wellsford. The
• Managawhai detour is a few kilometres past this small town.

Northland, New Zealand's

• Twin Coast Discovery Route turns off at
• Ruakaka.Which is an excellent surf beach.

Whangarei - take a break and look around !

• Whangarei is the largest city in Northland New Zealand and only a two hour drive from Auckland. A good time for a break at the

• Town Basin. Sip a coffee in the sun, by the marina, or visit
• Claphams Clock museum , or the many
• art and craft galleries in the Basin.
• You can enjoy a meal, or coffee outside overlooking the harbour, picturesque with yachts moored at the marina, and a bush backdrop.

On the way into the city, you might want to stop at the Tourist Information Centre just as you come into Whangarei. They have a great selection of brochures and maps for the whole of Northland.

Look Here for an extensive list of things to do in Whangarei. Heading north it will take you an hour to get to

• Paihia, the centre of the


• Bay of Islands. Detour into
• Kawakawa for a look at the Hunterwasser designed toilets
• The Kawakawa steam train is a great favourite with children.
• See the Tutukaka detour for a different, scenic route.

• The Old Russell road is another option. You will end up in
• Russell , a lovely old historic town, and could take the ferry to
• Opua.Although this can also be a day trip from

• Paihia.
• Alternatively , you can take the ferry from Paihia to Russell and have a break from the car.

You will no doubt base yourself in Paihia for a few days, and do many day trips and adventure activities.

North of Paihia

MATAURI BAY HILL VIEW

• Carrying on north via

  Kerikeri, you may like to detour out to

• Matauri Bay and
• Whangaroa Harbour. A fishing village and still quite a remote spot, I am always amazed that my great grandfather was the school principal here!
• Another side trip is to Karikari Peninsula
• Monganui is a popular stop for the craft galleries, and ‘fish and chips’ from the rather unique shop built out over the water.
• North of Monganui is
• Coopers Beach, a beautiful spot. Sadly the camping ground is a mere shell. It was once a popular family holiday destination. My favourite little beach is
• Cable Bay just north of
• Coopers Beach.A good place for an ice cream stop, by the golden sands.
• Once you reach Awanui, you can follow the “Awanui to Cape Reinga “guide.

Cape Reinga and Spirits Bay

• The Aupouri Peninsula is the northernmost tip of New Zealand, and
• Cape Reinga and
• Spirits Bay is an important spiritual place for Maori. Originally from Hawaiki, arriving over 800 years ago in their canoes, they say this point is the launching place for the joining of their spirits to their Hawaiki ancestors.
• If you go on a tour you may get to ride along 90 Mile Beach, which is a great trip.
• Houhora is the only real settlement of any note this far north.

Back to Auckland via the West Coast

• Leaving for Auckland you can travel across to the West Coast via Kaikohe – there is only one route.
• Travelling via Dargaville the Kai Iwi Lakes are beautiful and popular for camping , kayaking and walking.
• The Waipoua Forest which has Northland New Zealand's largest kauri tree (our national tree) is probably the main reason people travel this route. These trees are hundreds even thousands of years old, real New Zealand icons.
• I have had many international visitors comment on how much they have enjoyed their visit to Northland New Zealand's Matakohe Kauri Museum Matakohe Kauri Museum as they head back to Auckland on this route. So try and make time for a stop there.