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The Hokianga Harbour on Northland's west coast is well and truly off the beaten tourist trail. There is accommodatation sprinkled amongst the small towns around the harbour.Here's a view from Omapere, looking up the harbour.
Northland's beaches are its crown jewels. On a classic kiwi summer's day, there is no better place to be than on one of Northland's beaches. This one is Sandy Bay, on the Tutukaka Coast, northeast of Whangarei. This is the last beach before the road from Whangarei turns back to the west and heads towards the main highway at Hikurangi.
Matapouri Bay is embraced by a beautiful sandy beach and looked like an ideal place to get away to in the summer when I visited briefly in January 2006.Matapouri Bay is on the Tutukaka Coast, northeast of Whangarei (Northland's main city). It will take you hardly any time to drive there from Whangarei and so makes a perfect beach day out if you're staying in that city. There is a shop near the beach. There is also a campground there.
Northland's beaches are often mind smackingly beautiful. For a few years I had known of the existence of Whale Bay, because of a stunning calendar picture I had seen, showing a sparkling turquoise water bay fringed by a gentle curve of white sand and framed by forest clad hills.In January 2006 I finally got to see the place for real. It is a truly beautiful little bay, well worth the short walk along a bush clad cliff side. Although the weather on the day I visited wasn't perfect, it was still a sight to behold.Whale Bay is on the Tutukaka Coast, northeast of Whangarei (about 30km by road). There is nowhere to stay there and there is only a little toilet block and one rubbish bin. Hopefully my hastily taken photos give you an idea of what this photogenic little place is like!
Whangarei is the only city in Northland and if you're from the US or Europe it would seem like an average sized town.However, it is a pleasant city and a good base from which to explore the eastern coast of the region - particularly the Tutakaka Coast. In central Whangarei, the Town Basin is a yacht marina with very nice cafes and open areas.I've added a picture from the central city 'high street' area (Cameron Street) which is now a pedestrian mall from a brief trip to Whangarei in early 2006. As a child I used to holiday here with my parents and uncle and auntie who lived there once. There are lots of nice spots around Whangarei, but I'll have to dig up some old photos...Here's one of the Town Basin on a recent coffee break during a road trip further north.
Mangonui is easy to miss if you're driving along State Highway 10. It is a pretty little harbourside town that clings to the steep western hills of the Mangonui harbour - another photogenic sunken river valley.For a good view over the town and the harbour and also west over Doubtless Bay, go up Rangikapiti Pa.
Coopers Beach is a lovely stretch of sand on the southern shore of the huge sweeping Doubtless Bay. Stop for a swim here in the blue waters of the Pacific.
Cook's Lookout Motel Paihia
1 Review and 535 Opinions My husband and I stayed here for four nights, and were really looking forward to our trip....
Russell Cottages Bay of Islands Bay of Islands
1 Review and 85 Opinions We were let down by the managers of Russell Cottages after booking a cottage for New Year. 3 weeks...
Burgundy Rose Motel Whangarei
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