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Paihia Hotels: 125 Reviews - 225 Photos
Whangarei Hotels: 61 Reviews - 64 Photos
Bay of Islands Hotels: 138 Reviews - 293 Photos
Omapere Hotels: 23 Reviews - 52 Photos
Whangarei Hotels: 5 Reviews - 36 Photos
Russell Hotels: 20 Reviews - 49 Photos
Waipoua Forest Hotels: 10 Reviews - 26 Photos
Ninety Mile Beach Hotels: 36 Reviews - 40 Photos
Kerikeri Hotels: 14 Reviews - 50 Photos
Cape Reinga Hotels: 35 Reviews - 73 Photos
Waipapakauri Hotels: 2 Reviews
Houhora Hotels: 2 Reviews - 4 Photos
Kaitaia Hotels: 6 Reviews - 3 Photos
Waitangi Hotels: 25 Reviews - 50 Photos
Waipu Cove Hotels: 2 Reviews - 14 Photos

Northland Off The Beaten Path

Taupiri Bay

by iandsmith

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Taupiri Bay
by iandsmith
Waro Limestone Reserve
by vtveen
Waro Limestone Reserve: bare rocks
by vtveen
Off The Beaten Path
by Kate-Me
Off The Beaten Path
by Kate-Me

Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Koutu Beach (and Boulders)

by vtveen

On the way to our accommodation in Omapere we were looking for the Koutu Boulders along the waterfront of Hokianga Harbour. We did find the Koutu Loop Road (about 5 km's south of Opononi on Highway 12), but did not succeed in finding these huge rock balls, being one of the secrets of Hokianga. But we discovered Koutu Beach, a rocky beach with a splendid view on the Sand Dunes north of the Hokianga Harbour. We did take Waione Road, a gravel side-road of Koutu Loop and at the end parked our car. There is the access to the beach. If you are interested (also) in the boulders perhaps 'get the right info from the Visitor Information Centre in Omapere.

Kawakawa - remarkable toilets

by vtveen

The worlds most remarkable public toilets can be found in Kawakawa. A little town situated about 15 km's from Paihia.They are designed by Friedrich Hundertwasser, an Austrian artist who lived in Kawakawa, in 1999 and nowadays a 'must see' for Hundertwasser fans (more information about Hundertwasser: www.kunsthauswien.com).

Hikurangi and Waro Limestone Reserve

by vtveen

This is a really ‘off the beaten path’ tip and I only recommend it visitng when travelling to/from Auckland to the Bay of Islands. Both, the village of Hikurangi and the Waro Limestone Reserve, are not that breathtaking sights, but a pleasant stop on your way.Hikurangi is a small town (north of Whangarei) and was developed around a coalmine in the year 1890. Nowadays it is almost a ghost town (being bypassed by State Highway 1) and we felt walking in the past in the main street with a couple of outmoded shops. A kind of ‘third-hand shop had also a tearoom and to be honest we had a very good toasted ham and cheese sandwich and a huge pot of tea (for ‘outmoded’ prices).This former mining township has even a small Historical Museum in four old buildings. Due to limited opening hours we couldn’t visit (http://www.nzmuseums.co.nz/MuseumDetail.asp?MuseumID=115). Another remnant of the mining...

Mitimiti .... at the end of the Hokianga-world

by vtveen

Before getting to Mitimiti you have to drive a windy and hilly gravel road from Panguru. Here you can have a coffee or a lunch before entering a more or less deserted piece of the country.Mitimiti is a small Maori community with about 30 families and is situated at the wild west coast of the Tasman Sea. Just enjoy the wildness and quietness of this very remote spot. From Mitimiti you can visit the Warawara Forest and the sand hills at Hokianga Harbour. There are also some beaches.The village of Mitimiti has a nice meeting house called Matihetihe, build around 1920.DirectionsTake the ferry in Rawene to Kohukohu and from there the road to Panguru, further to the west to Mitimiti.

Wairere Boulders - basalt rocks and nikau palms

by vtveen

The Wairere Boulders are situated near Horeke, a small village along the Hokianga Harbour (with the oldest post office of New Zealand). The village is accessible from both Highway 1 and Highway 12 between Opononi and Kaikohe. After our lunch in the local pub of Horeke we did take the Horeke (gravel) Road and after a couple of km's we found the car park for the boulders on McDonnell Road. We did get a lot of information from the Swiss owners about the boulders before we started our walk through the park.We just did the Boulder Loop Track on the right and left side of the Wairere Stream. We had to climb many stairs and small bridges with stunning views on the huge basalt rocks. They are coming down the valley like a fall of rocks. On the other side of the river is a short loop track, which leads to the so called Bush Pool. And we crossed a real big stand of Nikau Palms (New Zealands only...

Kai Iwi Lakes

by vtveen

On our way back from Hokianga Harbour to Auckland along SH 12 we made a detour to take a look at the Kai Iwi Lakes. Take the sign posted turn off near Kaihu, about 25 km's north of Dargaville and drive another 10 km's to the lakes.The water of Kai Iwi Lakes (in a matter of fact there are three lakes: Waikare, Taharoa and Kai Iwi) is so crystal clear and has a wonderful turquoise colour. The lakes are surrounded by white beaches and pine forests. Kai Iwi Lakes are excellent for swimming, water skiing, sailing, kayaking & trout fishing. Surrounding Taharoa Domain has walking and mountain bike tracks. There is also a walkable access to the Tasman Sea.Kai Iwi Lakes has two basic camping grounds and the area offers some accommodation. It is a good and very quiet starting point exploring the Kauri Coast with the Waipoua Forest (Tane Mahuta), Trounson Kauri Park and Maunganui Bluff. More...

Mangonui - Heritage Village

by vtveen

Mangonui is situated on Highway 10 at Doubtless Bay. We were completely surprised by this very pleasant cute village with a lot of (for New Zealand) old wooden buildings. The best way to explore this historic village was to walk along the Heritage Trail, which did lead us along more than 20 buildings, even to a hill with splendid views over the harbour. The trail is about 3 km's long and it did take 1 hour to walk (ask for a brochure at the Visitor Information Centre, next to the old Court House).Afterwards we had a nice cup of coffee on one of the side walk cafe's along the waterfront. Mangonui has also a couple of shops with local art and crafts. A really nice stop on our way from Cape Reinga to the Bay of Islands.

Opononi.

by worldkiwi

Opononi is off the beaten track for overseas tourists, but a lot of kiwis know about it. This is because of Opo, the friendly dolphin that came to stay for one summer in the 1950s. Unfortunately Opo was killed by some careless fisherman and the nation apparently mourned. There is a very humble monument to Opo in Opononi... drive slow or you'll miss it. It's opposite the wharf. Also, have a look at Opo's grave in front of the hall, about 50m east of the monument.

Cool off in the Waipoua Forest.

by worldkiwi

On a recent trip down the west coast of Northland, after a stop to see Tane Mahuta - the 2000 year old Kauri tree in Waipoua Forest, we detoured along a gravel road to the Waipoua Forest Visitors' Centre. This is signposted from state highway 12.The visitors' centre has lots of information about Kauri in the area and the industries that thrived there before protection of these precious pieces of our natural history came into full effect.Just before the visitors' centre is a refreshing swimming hole, which is part of the Waipoua river. The water is clear and cool. It makes a great spot to chill off on a hot day of driving.

Explore the beautiful Tutakaka Coast.

by worldkiwi

The Tutakaka Coast is an easy drive northeast from Whangarei. You need to exit the city on the Ngunguru Road (which goes past the Whangarei Falls). You obviously need your own car for this trip, so this destination is off the beaten path for many international visitors.The first town you come to is Ngunguru at the mouth of the like-named river. About half way between Ngunguru and Tutukaka, is a look-out on a sharp left hand corner (heading northish). Stop here for a sweeping view over Ngunguru Bay and out to the Whangarei Heads. You can see the Poor Knights Islands and the picturesque inlet known as Tutukaka Harbour.Beyond Tutukaka is the scenic cresent bay of Matapouri. Then a short drive on, is the parking place for the walkway to stunning Whale Bay. This beautiful little bay can only be reached on foot along a good track. The next beach is Woolleys Bay and the last one, before the...