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Kaitaia and Northland Attractions
Things to do and places to visit

Kaitaia is the northern-most town of New Zealand. It is central to all of the good tourist spots of the Far North and has buses leaving daily for Cape Reinga and most of the settlements on the way.

We can help with bookings and recommendations. Contact us for further information.

Begin your holiday with a trip to Cape Reinga where, along the way, you can capture the history of the Kauri Tree. Visualise the hardships endured by the gum diggers as you wander through Gum Diggers Park and then see the finished product at the Ancient Kauri Kingdom.

You will experience all the emotions of being part of nature as you watch the two oceans meet at Cape Reinga before moving on to Te Paki Stream where you can sand-board down the magnificent sand dunes or just take in the unbelievable desert landscape.

Just when you think that this is all too much, head home to Plane Tree Lodge via a unique drive down the length of Ninety Mile Beach.

And that is just day one!

On other days you can visit Bay of Islands and enjoy a boat trip taking in the beautiful scenery, soaking up the holiday atmosphere, before heading home along the east coast checking out the numerous beautiful beaches and bays.

For the more adventurous why not try quad bike riding through the desert-like sand dunes and along the beaches or horse riding along the beach and through the forest. Why not try game fishing or swimming with the dolphins. For the golf enthusiast, we have two world class golf courses within easy reach.

Each day return to the peace and serenity of Plane Tree Lodge, wash the sand from your hair and enjoy a delicious meal at one of our local restaurants. Alternatively, savour a glass of wine in the spa pool and re-live you day in the deepening twilight of a peaceful country landscape.

Some local attractions that come highly recommended:
Cape Reinga Lighthouse

CAPE REINGA - A dramatic sight!

Feel the wind in your face. Hear the roar of the sea. Know in your bones the very power of Nature.

Look to the north from Cape Reinga and view the Columbia Bank maelstrom -- where the Tasman and the Pacific meet -- with waves, in stormy weather, rising to peaks of up to 10 metres.

This is the most visited lighthouse in New Zealand, not because of the lighthouse itself, but rather because of the geographic location and spiritual associations. In Maori belief, Cape Reinga, along with nearby Spirits Bay, is the departure place for the spirits of the recently deceased.

On their way, they are believed to climb down the twisted pohutukawa tree on the cliff.

Your camera will whirl, capturing spectacular sunsets and beach scenes.

On your visit to this beautiful part of New Zealand, you will enjoy every moment that this 'natural theme park built by nature' has to offer.

With dunes to explore, fish to catch, surf to ride and welcoming locals to meet, your stay is sure to be a memorable one.

Here you can be as alone with Nature as nowhere else, with only the sound of the waves and the rustle of winds in the trees to keep you company in a contemplation of how glorious, even in the encompassing solitude, Nature can be.

For those seeking a quiet communion with Nature, there may be no better place than this.

Sand toboggan at Te Paki Stream

Ninety Mile Beach

Taking a drive up Ninety Mile Beach is an awesome experience.

With tuatua (shellfish) to gather at low tide, and the landscape to view, the trip is more than worthwhile. This is the only beach in New Zealand that is classed as an open road.

You can drive, motorcycle, quad bike or walk through Ninety Mile Beach, which is also known as the "Long Beach of Tohe."

Take your time, fish, walk on the sand, explore the forests. Or take a bus tour.

Aupouri Forest
Covering two thirds of the peninsula on the western side is the Aupouri Forest, which is 75 kilometres long and five kilometres wide. Enjoy the solitude and if you're lucky see the wild horses in their natural environment.

Footsteps on 90 mile beach

Footsteps on 90 Mile Beach

Whoever named Ninety Mile Beach must have walked its length and felt the overpowering challenge of the distance, or used the wrong yardstick! The beach doesn't go for 90 miles. It's more like 90 kilometres or 56 miles -- but still as long or as far as the eye can see.

Parengarenga Harbour

Parengarenga Harbour

Parengarenga Harbour, near the top of the Aupouri Peninsula, is one of the top ten harbours in the world and is truly spectacular when viewed from above. It is the northernmost harbour in NZ.

Its sand spit consists of almost pure quartz sand. It is sparsely vegetated, almost totally undisturbed and its sand can wander freely.

Matai Bay

Matai Bay, Karikari Peninsula

The Karikari peninsula is the playground for those who just love beaches and is perfect for young families or fishermen.

Each beach or bay has its own distinct personality and special character. These vary from sheltered bays with fine white sand to rugged rocky coastline with pounding surf. Relax and soak up the sun in our sub-tropical paradise.

Far North Outback Adventures
http://www.farnorthtours.co.nz

Far North Outback Adventures is a small, locally owned and operated business specialising in eco tours for small groups of up to five people. Frequent trips to Cape Reinga, Ninety Mile Beach and Te Paki stream are on offer.
They have a modern air-conditioned 4WD Nissan Safari vehicle and provide you with a quality lunch and top New Zealand wine.

Sand Safaris
http://www.sandsafaris.co.nz
Take a trip to Cape Reinga in Sand Safaris comfortable, late model, air-conditioned coaches. Frequent stops are made throughout this relaxed full day Safari Tour of the Aupouri Peninsula, an area of many contrasts from desert brown sands of Ninety Mile Beach with cliff faces drenched in wild surf to the pure white sands of Great Exhibition Bay and rolling farm land of the interior.
Gum Diggers Park
http://www.gumdiggerspark.co.nz/
Discover the history of 'The Far North' and the gum digging revolution that shaped the landscape, the people and the local industries of our past as well as our modern day lives. View the maze of giant gum holes that reveal extraordinary kauri trees from prehistoric times and explore the mystery that caused the destruction of these ancient forests. Situated 25 kilometres north of Kaitaia off State Highway 1, Gumdiggers Park is a four minute detour off the main route to Cape Reinga.
Ancient Kauri Kingdom
http://www.ancientkauri.co.nz/
Located north of Kaitaia on State Highway 1 at Awanui, the Ancient Kauri Kingdom displays hand-crafted furniture, art, crafts and gifts from the oldest workable timber in the world. See the amazing centrepiece in the shop - a staircase carved within a 140 ton log. Independent radiocarbon dating confirms that this tree had lain in a swamp for 45,000 - 50,000 years.
Butler Point
http://www.butlerpoint.co.nz
Butler Point is a privately owned 26 hectare property at HiHi on Mangonui Harbour, east of Kaitaia. Over the last three decades the proprietors have developed the property into a macadamia orchard and one of the Far North's most fascinating heritage tourism destinations. Butler House dates back to the 1840s and is furnished in early Colonial and Victorian styles. The Whaling Museum displays a full range of authentic harpoons and a fully equipped whaleboat as used from the whale ships.
Mangonui Heritage Trail
http://www.doubtlessbay.co.nz/
heritagetrail.htm
Beginning and ending at the Mangonui courthouse, the Mangonui Heritage Trail provides a glimpse of the great wealth of Maori and European history associated with the Doubtless Bay area, east of Kaitaia. The Trail is three kilometres in length and accessible by foot or vehicle. The average time taken to walk the trail is one and a half hours. Walkers are advised to take the St. Andrew's walkway up to the church and enjoy the spectacular views from above Mangonui's waterfront. And you can always break off for 'fish and chips' at the world-famous Mangonui Fish Shop.
North
West Click for interactive map East
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Tall Tale Tours
http://www.tall-tale.co.nz/

At the Tuku Wairua Centre you can take part in Marae tours, bush walks, weaving, bone carving and wood carving.
On site, join the rangatahi (young people) at the Whakairo (carving) and Raranga (weaving). Join in and make something from flax, bone or wood.
Visit a Marae being constructed as well as learn Maori protocol, tribal structure and spiritual studies.

Okahu Estate Vineyard and Winery
http://www.okahuestate.co.nz
One of New Zealand's most northerly vineyards and wineries. The winery is situated 45 kilometres west of Cable Bay on the road from Kaitaia to Ahipara which is at the southern end of Ninety Mile Beach. The first vines were established in 1984 by vineyard owner Monty Knight. Since then the label has earned a reputation for consistent quality, winning numerous awards including a number of gold medals.

Fishing

Sport fishing

The LION RED SNAPPER CLASSIC is now recognised as the biggest and most lucrative fishing contest of its type in New Zealand attracting competitors from all over New Zealand and Australia.

Quad biking

Quad bike riding on 90 Mile Beach

Marvel at the majesty of the bleak landscape that is the sand dunes south of Ahipara on the East Cost. Take a guided walk or drive and experience the dunes up close.
An experience not to be missed...

Popular local pastimes are surf casting, sunbathing, surfing, land yachting, walking, fishing, shellfish gathering, horse riding, dune riding, body boarding, kite flying, hang gliding and of course, relaxing.

Tua Tua Tours http://www.tuatuatours.co.nz Located at Ahipara, Dune Rider, Reef Rider and Gumfields Safari tours by quad bike. All tours are under the control of an experienced guide on latest HONDA 350 ES ATVs. Bookings essential.
WildCat Fishing Charters
http://www.ahipara.co.nz/wildcat
Big Game Fishing full-day charters for novices or hard-core fishermen. WildCat 1 is an eight metre aluminium catamaran powered by a 200 HP outboard and cruises at 18-20 knots. The fishing grounds off Ahipara are relatively untapped and offer some of the most exciting nonstop action in the country. All fishing gear is supplied or you can take your own rod and reel. For the keen-eyed, there are dolphin and killer whales to be seen and occasionally sperm whales.
Wairere Boulders
http://www.wairereboulders.co.nz/
The unusual Wairere Boulders are located near Horeke, in the Hokianga Harbour south of Kaitaia.


Marae - a Maori meeting house

Maui and Maori history

Legend tells us that the North Island of New Zealand is actually the world's largest fish.

Maui, a Maori hero of ancient times, hooked the enormous fish during an expedition to prove his fishing prowess to his jealous brothers. Infuriated by his impressive catch, the brother beat the fish to death with their clubs - creating the hills, mountains, plateaus and craters that became the terrain of the North Island.

If you look at a map of the North Island, you can see that Wellington is the head, Cape Taranaki and East Cape are the fins, and Northland is the tail of the fish - Te Hiku o Te Ika.

Local people

The culture of the indigenous Maori people is still very much alive and can be experienced right now, here in Northland.

The Tai Tokerau peoples comprise many sub-tribes and a number of distinctive tribes, including Ngati Whatua, Ngati Wai, Ngati Kuri, Nga Puhi, Te Rarawa, and Te Aupouri.

Latest figures show that 32.3 percent of Northland's population is Maori, the balance being mainly of European origin.

There is still a strong Dalmatian influence in Dargaville and Kaitaia as a result of immigration during the gum digging era.

Picture of girls in traditional Maori dress
Maori girls wearing traditional costume

YOUR HOSTS
Rosemary and Mike Wright
love helping to plan your activities or adventure from their architectually-designed character home
Phone: +64 (0)9 408 0995
Email: reservationsplanetreelodge@xtra.co.nz
 
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