Motel Six

Beaches and Picnics!

by Kiwigirlie

Whale Bay is lovely in February and March when the weather is just right. Take a picnic, park your car at the top and walk down through the forest to the beach for a lazy day of eating, swmming, sunbathing and snoozing.
Then stop at the Matapouri shops for a quick ice cream on the way home!!! Wonderful! Growing up here will always be special just because of the people I have met and my family live here. The strongest memory I have is getting into the car (with vinyl seats - so they were roasting to touch) and going to the beach. We were constantly in the water or playing in rock pools. And then jumping back in the car with sandy feet, drinking L&P to cool off.
Lovely!

Tane Mahuta (Lord Of The Forest)

by kiwi_goddess

Waipoua Forest is located 48km's north of Dargaville. Located here, you will find NZ's biggest Kauri Tree known as Tane Mahuta (Lord Of The Forest).

There is lots of different flora and fauna as well as birds for example, the NZ pigeon (kukupa), fantail, pied tit, tui, grey warbler, shining cuckoo, and kingfisher. More uncommon would be the native forest parrots Kakariki and Kaka. Although they can still occasionally be seen. Waipoua Forest is also home to possibly the biggest remaining population of North Island Brown Kiwi.

There are many walking tracks, some longer than others, as well as viewing platforms throughout the forest. Some great photo opportunities are to be had on your visit. All visitors to this area are encouraged to take their rubbish with them and dispose of it in bins. No fires are to be lit in this area and smokers are advised to take extreme care with the extinguishing of their cigarette butts.

Be sure to bring your camera, sunblock and hat/cap during the warmer months and insect repellent.

Be sure to check out the Park Visitor Centre where you can pick up some brochures and see some great exhibits on kauri trees, native birds and wildlife.

Whangarei Visitors Bureau located on Otaika Road at Tarewa Park can provide brochures and more information on directions to Waipoua Forest.

Telephone: (09) 438 1079

Sun, Surf, Sand, Relaxation

by kiwi_goddess

Uretiti Beach and Camping Grounds is on state highway 1 as you approach Whangarei from the south. It is approxemetly 6km past the Waipu turnoff.

The camping area has flushing toilets, a cold water shower and fresh running water.

This beach is a nudist beach (clothing optional) and gets relatively busy during the summer. Many families and couples frequent this beach during the summer months. The beach has beautiful white sand and the cool water is very welcomed on a hot day.

There is lots of room to kick a ball around, play cricket etc or if you want a little distance from other people there is miles of beach for you to pick a nice quiet spot, set your towel down and bask in the sun.

Pack a picnic lunch and stop in for a day or just a couple of hours to take in the panoramic views of the islands (Poor Knights, Pinnacles and Sugarloaf).

More often than not, on weekends, there are usually people selling fresh fruit and/or fresh fish on the main road beside the turn off to the beach and camping area. Prices are very reasonable and much better than in shops.

Bring a bottle of sunblock and a hat as the sun is very fierce in New Zealand.

Take A Freefall

by kiwi_goddess

If you have the stomach for this sort of thing, then go ahead, take the plunge. I on the other hand, am not so keen on jumping out of a perfectly good airplane :-)

No experience is necessary as it will be a tandem jump and you will be given a 15 minute briefing about landing and how to exit the plane.

Tandem jumps are done at 10,000ft over the airport where you will have great views of the city and coastline.

Bookings are essential and can be arranged at times and dates to suit you, weather permitting.

Price: $240 per person
- $340 per person (with air to air video & photos)

Whangarei

by kiwi_goddess

"Welcome To The Winterless North"

Whangarei has more things to see and do than what it is given credit for by some of the well known travel books. Not everything may be your "cup of tea" but there is at least something for everyone young and old alike.

Whether your idea of a holiday consists of sun, surf, sand, shopping, fine dining, art, culture, etc, you will surely find at least one thing to your interest if not an abundance.

In general the people here are very relaxed, most definately approachable, and always obliging to help in any way they can. How do I know this?? I live here ;-)