The Northland is often the visitors’ ‘skipped’ location in New Zealand. When international travelers arrive in Auckland, many would want to get the heck out of the country’s most expensive and uninspiring city, and to head Southwards as soon as they can. Northland, however, is totally distinct from its neighbor. There are so many amazing gems to uncover, from Whangārei, to Northland’s East and West coast, up to the Far North. Check out the list below to find out some of the places you would not want to miss!
Stunning places to visit in Northland
Known as the ‘Winterless North’, you’ll get an endless scenic view of rolling grassy hills and livestocks along the drive through Northland. Be prepared to meet more cows and sheeps than humans! Don’t be fooled by the winterless land though. I visited Northland during the end of Winter, and it could still get very chilly for someone who grew up right beneath the equator!
Northland - West Coast
I’m gonna push it hard, by first introducing the least popular part of Northland: the West Coast. While described by some as a place with one of the worst roads and highways in New Zealand, don’t let this put you off though! Yes, the high speed, single-lane ‘highway’ could be rough and winding, but I had an enjoyable drive nonetheless.
Check out these secluded gems in Northland’s west coast:
Kai Iwi Lakes
Kai Iwi Lakes consist of three main fresh water lakes with white sandy beaches (yes, imagine a seaside beach, but with fresh water!). They are equipped with campgrounds and facilities maintained by the Kaipara District Council. The lakes are suitable for swimming, fishing, water skiing, kayaking and boating.
There are multiple campgrounds (powered – for camper vans; non-powered – for normal cars and tents) that you have to book and pay in advance for overnight trips. I booked and stayed at Pine Beach Campground, for a non-powered site. This allowed me to park / set up anywhere in the campground, excluding the powered sites area.
This main campground could get crowded in the summer. When I camped here during the winter season, there was only me and another camper van in sight (who wants to swim in the freezing winter lake?). For more information or campground booking, please visit Kai Iwi Lakes Campground official site at kaiiwicamp.nz
Other than water activities, you can also go for a walk at the 8km Lake Taharoa Loop Track (estimated 2 hours leisurely walk). Or you could do a short hike up the hills behind the campground for an aerial view of the pristine blue lakes.
Toilets and bathrooms were decent. Hot shower is possible, but you have to insert a $2 coin for a few minutes(?) of hot water.
Te Matua Ngahere (Father of the Forest) | New Zealand’s second largest living Kauri tree
Head Northwards at the west coast to discover some of the world’s mightiest trees, starting by visiting New Zealand’s second largest kauri tree, Te Matua Ngahere.
Make sure to clean your footwear at the cleaning station before entering and exiting the Kauri Walks track.
Large kauri trees are scattered around the track before reaching the Father of the Forest.
During the drive to Te Matua Ngahere, try spotting the Darby and Joan Kauri trees on both sides of the highway bridge.
Tane Mahuta (Lord of the Forest) | Largest living ancient Kauri tree known to stand today
After seeing the second largest tree, get awestruck by the largest Kauri tree, just a 2-minute drive away. Tane Mahuta, the Lord of the Forest / God of the Forest, will strike you down into the realm of fascination. Pictures alone can’t fight the epic feeling of mesmerizing the mighty giant with your own eyes. You just have to be there to see it for yourself!
Tane Mahuta Walk is a short 3-minute track you will never forget.
Trounson Kauri Park
Trounson Kauri Park features a superb 1.7km kauri forest loop track (30 minutes walking) and a wonderful campground.
Trounson Kauri Park Campground is one of the nicest and well facilitated Department of Conservation (DOC) campgrounds. The kitchen was pretty complete, there was a fridge, kettle, toaster, and electric stoves. One super plus point was the hot shower, a blessing during the winter! Booking in advance is required (details in link above), though there was a self payment card at the campground for unbooked guests if there is space, or you could pay directly to the DOC officer if one is around.
Do note that if you set your navigation app’s location to Trounson Kauri Park, it would take you to the North side parking lot to this information center. This would be a suitable place to stop if you are only here for the walking track. If you are camping, however, you should drive over to the East side entrance to the campground instead.
There was a cut-out log of wood with transparent plastic casing, where you could see through and observe the wētās living inside. Just remember to close back the ‘door’ before you leave.
A stream where you might be able to spot fish or eels.
At night, I joined another pair of campers walking the kauri track, to try to spot kiwis in the forest. We did hear the loud calls of kiwis from various directions, but couldn’t visually spot them. Still, it was a lovely experience hearing their calls in the wild. During the day, I also spotted many wild rabbits and various birds, and there was a group of colorful parrots flying around!
Northland - East Coast
The East side of Northland is where the main highway connects the Far North to the rest of the North Island. Whangārei is a lovely city, within a good proximity to many of Northland’s points of interest.
Whangārei Falls
Conveniently situated within the city, Whangārei Falls is an easily accessed, 26.3 meters high waterfall within a lovely park. A roughly 1km loop takes you around the track, offering multiple-angle views of the waterfall. There are also two platforms near the car park where you can view Whangārei Falls from above.
While walking the short loop, have a look at this hard-to-miss lightning-patterned tree. There is also an additional (1850 meters) one-way walking track to A. H. Reed Memorial Kauri Park.
Mount Manaia Track
Summit Mount Manaia through this 2km one-way track and marvel at the panoramic view of the Whangārei Harbor.
Thanks to a local hiker’s recommendation, I discovered this easy-to-miss track, about ⅔ up the mountain, which leads to an awesome scenic viewpoint. Keep an eye out of this sidetrack when you reach this elevated wooden path (there’s only one short section of this style of pathway in the whole track).
This ‘hidden’ overlook point offers a much more dramatic view than the summit’s! I definitely prefer the view here than from the summit.
Te Whara Track + Smuggler’s Bay Loop Track (Day Hike)
Being one of the best hiking trails in Northland, the 7.5km Te Whare Track passes through the beautiful coastal forest of Whangārei Heads, WWII ruins, and a thrilling climb up to the panorama lookout peak.
Joining the track is an additional 3km Smuggler’s Bay Loop Track, which passes some interesting WWII historical structures, grazing cows, Busby Head, and Smuggler’s Bay.
Mangawhai Cliffs Walk
Walk the Mangawhai Cliffs, for remarkable views around the coast and also some off-shore islands. If you are super lucky, you might even get to see passing whales and schools of sharks!
The track starts after walking a stretch of the sandy Mangawhai Heads Beach. Look for the signage to start the track, either a return trip, or return via the beach (not accessible during high tides).
Place to Stay in Whangārei: The Monarch Cabin
The Monarch Cabin is a cozy family-run little cabin. The cabin is equipped with a toaster, kettle, coffee and tea, tv, wifi, and a portable heater fan to keep you warm on winter nights. The bathroom with hot shower was very nice and clean. The simple kitchen was equipped with a microwave oven, a portable cooker, and a mini fridge. Also, the location is great as it’s close to many of the attractions mentioned above. My favorite grocery place is the nearby Reduced To Clear branch with huge discounts on groceries.
Northland - Far North
The Far North of Northland speaks about beaches, islands, and the birthplace of New Zealand. While the Bay of Islands and the historical landmark of Waitangi Treaty Grounds are significant places to visit in the Far North, there are more to discover:
Rainbow Falls (Waianiwaniwa), Kerikeri
Come to this spectacular waterfall on a sunny morning, and you’ll be sure to see why it is named Rainbow Falls. Take a short 2-minute walk to the right to Rainbow Falls viewing platform, or 3 minutes to the left down to the falls pool.
St Paul’s Rock (Ohakiri)
St Paul’s Rock track involves a 30-minute hike from Old Hospital Road, to the top of this iconic volcanic plug.
St Paul’s Rock, and the rock fragments around the area, are the remains of ancient volcanoes that erupted about 20 million years ago.
Near the base of St Paul’s Rock, metal chains are installed to aid the climb to the top.
Dazzling 360 view of the Whangaroa Harbor:
Maitai Bay & Waikato Bay, Karikari Peninsula
Visit the double picturesque curvy bays of the Karikari Peninsula, Maitai Bay & Waikato Bay, just side by side of one another.
Cape Reinga Lighthouse
Stand at the Northern tip (almost) of New Zealand, with an iconic working Cape Reinga Lighthouse, built in 1941. (the actual Northernmost tip of New Zealand is the North Cape)
Witness the interesting phenomena, where the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet. The white spots are the result of the clashes of currents between the two seas, forming rough waves and even whirlpools.
The endless ocean…
Giant Sand Dunes (Te Paki Sand Dunes)
Shortly on the way back from Cape Reinga, is the out of the ordinary Te Paki Giant Sand Dunes.
It’s such a giant sand dunes area, you could pretend you’re deep in a massive desert, until you climb high enough to see the ocean far across the edge.
Sandboarding is a fun and thrilling activity, here on the constantly shifting sand dunes. Even walking itself is fun on these steep yet soft slopes.
It gets windier the higher you go. You could even find sand blasting away horizontally off the top, just like those cinematic windy desert scenes.
Where else do you think are the ‘must-visits’ in Northland? Let us know in the comments!
In honor of Elegant Resorts’ featuring my Pinnacles Walk journey, check out their post on “The Best Hikes in New Zealand“!
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