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Northland is rich in New Zealand history and you can
turn any family holiday into an adventure to be
remembered. The Northland region covers the
northernmost 240km (149 miles) of the North Island,
with the furthest point being
Cape Reinga
and extending down the peninsula to the rural town
of Warkworth, north of Auckland.
Known as the winterless north, Northland has some of
New Zealand's warmest year-round temperatures. Must
see stops include the Bay of Islands, which boasts
New Zealand's first capital city, Russell, and the
historical Waitangi Treaty House where the Treaty of
Waitangi was signed in 1840.
Cape Reinga
Stand just past the lighthouse on New Zealand's
furthermost part of mainland New Zealand and you
will see the meeting of two major bodies of water,
the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea. The Cape also
has a very strong Maori connection, for tradition
has it that it is from here that the spirits of
Maori who have died depart on their final journey to
Hawaiki.
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Awanui is located at the southern end of Ninety Mile Beach, in the
far north of the North Island of New Zealand. Awanui is 14 kms from
Kaitaia.
With amazing sand dunes you and the kids won't want to leave!
- Cafes
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Ancient
Kauri Kingdom and Cafe
- State
Highway One, Awanui.
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Ph: 09 406 7172
- Web:
www.ancient kauri.co.nz
- Winners of the 1999 Tourism Awards and finalist in 2000 this
cafe and enchanting display of kauri is worth a visit. Ancient
Kauri Kingdom and cafe was also the winner of the 2002/2003
Tourism Awards in their category. They are Qualmark Endorsement
as a Tourist Activity.
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Ninety Mile Beach
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Ninety Mile Beach is located on the west coast and,
starting from Cape Reinga, takes you south to
Kaitaia. It is worth taking a bus tour if you want
to have a drive along Ninety Mile Beach. On one of
the tours we took, the driver pointed out the
remains of a car that had got stuck in the
quicksand. It's interesting to note here that
although the name of the beach suggests this stretch
of sand is 90 miles long, it is in fact only 90km
(50 miles) long!
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Doubtless Bay is on the east coast, south-east of
Ninety Mile Beach and with its many beaches is a
favourite summer holiday spot for travellers going
north. The bay got its name from Captain Cook back
in 1769, when Cook was navigating this stretch of
water. The main settlement in Doubtless Bay is the
small town of Mangonui. During the mid-18th
century this small town became a supply port for the
whaling ships and later, an important port for the
shipping of kauri timber and kauri gum. Safe
swimming beaches include Coopers Beach, Cable Bay,
Taipa, Tokerau Beach, Whatuwhiwhi and many more.
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Ahipara
and Shipwreck Bay
Ahipara offers views along Ninety Mile Beach.
Settlers made their livelihood from digging kauri
gum. Today however, as well as fishing, you can do
anything from land yachting, horse riding, dune
riding to simply flying a kite with the kids. It
really is up to you to decide just how busy you want
to be.
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Horeke is the second-oldest
European settlement in New Zealand and was
established when an Australian firm set up a
shipyard there in 1826. Beaches around this area
include Omapere and Opononi. Omapere has a great
swimming beach. Opononi is best known for Opo, a
friendly dolphin that used to play with children
around the shores of Opononi. Sadly, Opo was killed
by a rifle shot. A statue was built in Opononi to
celebrate the friendly dolphin.
Beaches, parks and playgrounds
There are plenty of walks in the Hokianga area; the
Hokianga Information Centre in Omapere can provide
you with details of walks suitable for older and
fitter people.
Omapere Walks
The Waiotemarama Bush Walk has an easy walk
called the Waterfall Walk which takes about
30 minutes return. This is suitable for children.
However, parents should keep an eye on younger
children.
Omapere, Opononi and Waimamaku Beaches
Waimamaku Beach has great walks as well as the
beach. However this is the West Coast, so care must
be taken when swimming here. Swimming at Opononi and
Omapere are safe options. Alternatively children can
play at the playground at
Freese Park.
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Rawene
If you are taking a walk in Rawene, go to Clendon
Esplanade off Parnell Street, where you will go past
the historic Clendon House and the Old Lane Store to
the Mangrove Walk. A wooden boardwalk takes
you among the giant mangroves. You can see what is
left, only a few piles, of the Rawene Timber Mill.
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Kaitaia is about 155km northwest of Whangarei or
around a four to five-hour drive from Auckland. Due
to Kaitaia's northern location it is a popular
tourist destination. Here, your family can enjoy the
nocturnal park with glow-worms and kiwis. Kaitaia is
also a base for tours to Cape Reinga.
Playgrounds
Kaitaia’s has a playground Centennial Park which is
located on Main Road.
Surrounding area: Each of the following places have
well maintained playgrounds; Awanui Reserve (Awanui),
Korora Park (Ahipara), Wai O Taraire Reserve (Tokerau
Beach), Cable Bay playground, Coopers Beach
playground and Hihi has a playground on Marchant
Road.
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Things
to do
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Wagener
Park
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Houhora Heads Road, State Highway One, Kaitaia.
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Ph:09 409
8850 or 09 409 8564
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Situated at Houhora
Heads adjacent to the Wagener Holiday Park
camping ground is the historic Wagener-Subritzky
homestead. Recognized by many as one of the 5
most important historic homesteads in the
country this unique residence is in the middle
of a $700,000 renovation programme for
re-opening in 08/09 summer season. The homestead
grounds and adjacent immaculate waterfront
memorial garden are a great place to stop for a
picnic on the way to Cape Reinga.
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Millennium Nocturnal
Park
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Beckham Road, off Fairburn Road, Kaitaia.
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Ph: 09 408 4100 or Freephone: 0800 225 494 (2 C Kiwi)
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Web:
www.millennium1st.com
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With scenic walks, a cafe with lake views, picnic areas and
observing kiwis this is a unique park to visit day or night.
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Harrison
Cape Runner
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123 North Road, Kaitaia.
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Freephone:
0800 22 73 73 (0800 Cape Reinga);
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Ph:
09 408 1033
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Email:
capetours@xtra.co.nz
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Web:
www.ahipara.co.nz/caperunner
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Great family fun day -
Drive along the endless expanse of 90 Mile Beach to Cape Reinga
where the mighty Pacific Ocean meets the Tasman Sea.
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Visit the Ancient Kauri
Kingdom, Wagener Park, the White Silica Sands of Rarawa Beach,
Tapotupotu Bay for lunch and a swim and stop off at the Giant Sand
Dunes at Te Paki Stream to Sand Toboggan down. Great value at
$40.00 per adult and $20.00 per child - includes picnic lunch.
Departs from Kaitaia at 9:00 am daily.
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A visit to the Pioneer Village, Recreation Road, is a great experience
showing your children how families lived in the 19th
century. The area also has hot springs. Ph: 09
401 0816
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The weather is generally mild all year round with
temperatures ranging from about 15 to 23 degrees,
with summer generally in the mid-20s. Due to its
sub-tropical location, the weather is changeable
and, even in summer, light wet-weather gear is
recommended. Remember in summer to be sun-smart with
both yourself and your children.
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Airport: Kaitaia airport has regular
scheduled services from and to Auckland.
There are a number of bus services that operate
in the Northland region. They include:
Northliner Express Coach Service, reservations:
Auckland ph: 09 307 5873
www.northliner.co.nz,
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Great Sights, reservations ph: 09 375 4700
www.greatsights.co.nz,
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Intercity Coachlines, reservations ph: 09 913
6100 www.intercitycoach.co.nz,
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Kaipara Tours Ltd, reservations ph: 09 431 6687
www.kaiparatours.com.
Self-drive: One of the best ways to see New
Zealand is to drive yourself. Auckland airport
has outlets for campervans and rental cars.
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Accommodation
To find more accommodation around
Northland for your family,
click here >>>
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Pick
for the month
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Tauranga
Bay Holiday Park
- RD1, Kaeo.
Ph:/Fax: 09
405 0436 Email:
holiday@igrin.co.nz
- Web:
www.taurangabay.co.nz
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- An ideal family camp, situated
right on the edge of a beautiful, clean, golden sandy beach with
safe swimming. Well maintained tent sites
(with/without power), caravan/motorhome spots
(with/without power), tourist cabins with their own
kitchen, and tourist flats with own kitchen,
toilet, shower & tv. Quality time convenience: Spacious
communal kitchen, clean toilets and showers, camp store, laundry,
electric barbecue, cardphone, off-street parking, credit card &
Eftpos, German spoken
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