Activities in the Far North of Northland New Zealand with places to visit and excursions and tours nz

Some of the most easily accessed dive and snorkeling sites exist from the Karikari Peninsula in Doubtless Bay and Rangaunu Harbour. Home to numerous black-coral colonies, the area offers everything from walk-in beach dives to some of the most spectacular pinnacle dives in the world. Further east, at the Cavalli Islands, you will find the wreck of the Rainbow Warrior, sunk in 1987, which hosts an ever-growing display of marine life.

This stunning coastal walkway traverses a variety of beautiful and unique landforms, and offers spectacular views of the cape region.

From Cape Reinga Road, the track follows an old vehicle track through low manuka shrub leading you to Pandora, a beautiful sandy bay.

From Cape Reinga the track follows the West Coast leading you down past steep cliffs to the long, sweeping Te Werahi Beach. This section makes a nice short walk or half day excursion. At Te Werahi you will notice the coastline is wilder than the secluded north/east coast bays. This is a 1.25 km, 30 minute walk.

There is an easy walk around the shoreline of the lake that can be found at the end of Ramp Road, off Inland Road, at Tokerau Beach.

From SH10, follow Inland Road for 2km. to a small roadside parking area. This short (2 minute return) walk is metalled and even. It loops through manuka scrub growing close to the track. The walk passes a series of holes excavated by gum diggers.

A 20-minute return walk up a steep narrow track takes you to a stunning kauri grove. Strewn on the forest floor underneath the kauri are pieces of kauri bark and you can take a moment to study their amazing shapes and patterns.
A 15-minute return track takes you to a lookout point over the forest.

This is an easy walking track leading you around the edge of this dune lake that is situated within a Recreation Reserve. Lake Ngatu is located a 10 minute drive north of Awanui on West Coast Road.

Click here for a map and description of the route or call in at Awanui Visitor Centre for a leaflet. Beginning and ending at the historic Mangonui Courthouse, the Heritage Trail provides a glimpse of the great wealth of Maori and European history associated with this area. The trail is three kilometres long and accessible on foot or partly by vehicle. The average time it takes to walk the Trail is one and a half hours. Walkers are advised to take the St. Andrew's Walkway to access sites high up above the waterfront and enjoy the spectacular views from near St. Andrew's Church.

The walk takes you from the D.O.C. camp ground at Matai Bay along Merita Beach (the southern of the two coves), around both points to Poroa Stream (one hour return). From there you can make the more difficult walk following the stream for 30 minutes. At the signpost, turn left up the steep, slippery hill to Paraawanui Trig (20 minutes return). The best views are from a little past the summit (142m.). Retrace your steps to the signposts. After 15 minutes along a vehicle track, you come to a crossroads. Turn left at the signposts from where it is 10 minutes to Whagatupere Bay. This is a rocky bay with azure waters and steep forested cliffs tumbling to the water. The entire walk is a three hour return trip. You should contact D.O.C. before commencing the walk (ph: 09 408 6014).

From SH10, follow Inland Road for 10.5kms. and then turn left into Rangiputa Road. After 2kms., turn right into Puheke Road. Continue to the parking area at the beach along the unsealed road. You can climb the hill for a superb view of the white sandy beaches of Karikari Bay - Puheke Bay to the east and Karikari Beach to the west - and off to Doubtless Bay and the Aupouri Peninsula. From the parking area it is about a 40 minute return climb. However, in a 4x4 vehicle you can access a higher car park for a shorter walk.