NORTHLAND Beautiful, unspoiled beaches, fishing, historic gum fields, kauri forests – the Far North has it all. With subtropical temperatures, the Far North is often known as ‘the Winterless north', with warm, humid summers and mild winters.
 Twin Coast Discovery Highway
This scenic, circular route gives you the opportunity to explore the best of Northland, following one coast up to NZ's tip, Cape Reinga, where both coasts meet, and the other coast back down. The road splits about 2 hours drive north of Auckland.
Western Route, Dargaville and Kauri Coast
This beautiful, scenic drive passes through Dargaville, the amazing Kauri in Waipoua Forest and the tiny town of Hokianga Harbour.
Dargaville dates back to the late 1800s and its history is reflected in the number of 19th century buildings in a town of some 4,800 people. Known as New Zealand’s ‘Kumara Capital’ and producing two thirds of the country’s kumara, Dargaville is also the main centre for the Kauri Coast and its timber industry.
Waipoua Forest and the Kauri Kings Highlight of the Western Route is the great Kauri forests with the giant Kauri known as Tane Mahuta as its King – you'll be filled with disbelief at its immense size! The giants are just a short drive and then a ten minute walk through the forest.
Hokianga Harbour This region is a great base to explore the giant Kauri, experience a sanddune buggy ride, discover the fabulous beaches and walk/bike trails or take a ferry across the harbour between the wee townships of Rawene and Kohukohu.
Kaitaia The most northern town in New Zealand, Kaitaia is a busy farming town with its surrounding area supporting industries such as wine and fruit growing. The town is the starting point for coach tours to Cape Reinga and New Zealand’s famous 90 mile beach.
Ninety Mile Beach and Cape Reinga
Ninety Mile Beach beach is actually a highway but is suitable for 4WD vehicles only, and rental companies don't allow you to drive this stretch of coastline. Therefore it's easier to take a tour to explore its length, or wander along parts of it on foot.
Cape Reinga and its famous lighthouse – the northern-most tip of mainland New Zealand, are 100km north of the nearest town, Kaitaia. This tips separates the Tasman Sea on its west side and the Pacific Ocean on its east. The name of the cape, the Maori word, Reinga, means 'underworld' and another Māori name is 'Te Rerenga Wairua', meaning the leaping-off place of spirits. Both refer to the Māori belief that the cape is the point where the spirits of the dead enter the underworld.
 Whangarei, Paihia and the Bay of Islands
Doubtless Bay Doubtless Bay, with its 70 kilometres of unspoiled coastline, extends from Taupo Bay in the east to the Karikari Peninsula in the west and includes the settlements of Coopers Beach, Cable Bay, Taipa and Whatuwhiwhi. The name Doubtless Bay originates from Captain Cook’s visit in 1769 when he sailed past and declared it ‘doubtless a bay’. Doubtless Bay has something to offer everyone, whether its relaxing on the beautiful beaches, buying some of the local arts and crafts, swimming with dolphins, or watching movies in the tiny Swamp Palace cinema.
The Bay of Islands, visited by Captain Cook in 1769, is known as the birthplace of New Zealand and is encircled by 144 islands.
Whangarei is the main city of the region and features the Quayside Town Basin - a marina with restaurants, shops, arts and crafts and a children’s playground. See the largest collection of clocks in the Southern Hemisphere or visit the kiwis in their natural habitat. Just north of Whangarei is Russell with its museum and historic buildings.
Paihia, west of Russell, has beautiful ,sheltered beaches and is a base for the cruises around the Bay of Islands. A short drive north of Paihia will take you to
Waitangi, scene of the 1840 signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, where you will find plenty to see and do . South of Whangarei is Bream Bay’s white sand and clear waters where the children can swim safely and enjoy the leisure activities on offer. There is plenty to explore in Bream’s Bay, with its beaches and caves, waterfalls and walkways. Famous for its Scottish heritage, Waipu features markets and its Winter at Waipu festival from June to August every year. The region of Whangarei and the Bay of Islands is an outdoor paradise with its subtropical climate and white, sandy beaches, perfect for a family holiday.
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