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Northland

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Northland

See also:

Mimiwhangata Coastal Park brochure (PDF, 991K)

Tracks & walks in the Whangarei area

Whangarei area

DOC conservation lands in Northland's Whangarei area include Tangihua Forest, Motutara Recreation area and more. Your explorations might include a walk on Piroa Falls Track or visiting Waro Limestone Scenic Reserve.

Bream Head Scenic Reserve

Bream Head Scenic Reserve is a coastal forest reserve in Northland, home to a range of native species. There are walks and historic sites at Bream Head, and you can stay at Peach Cove Hut.
Alert: Track upgrade work
Location: Bream Head Scenic Reserve is located at Whangarei Heads, north-east of Whangarei city.

Limeburners Creek

This is a large estuary in Whangarei Harbour with mangroves, saltmarshes and mud flats of lush eel grass.
Location: Off State Highway 1 at the southern entrance to Whangarei.

Mimiwhangata Coastal Park

Find information about tracks and lodgings at Mimiwhangata Coastal Park near Whangarei. Recovering shore bird and marine species can be found at this marine park.
Location: Mimiwhangata Coastal Park is 48 km from Whangarei and 52 km from Russell. It takes an hour to drive to Mimiwhangata from either place. This is how you get there: Take the old Whangarei-Russell coastal road, turn-off at Helena Bay and continue on Webb Road. After Teal Bay the road is unsealed, narrow and winding, and unsuitable for towing caravans. Mimiwhangata Coastal Road is after the Ngahau Bay turn-off.

Motukiore Island

Visit Motukiore Island in the Whangarei Harbour and explore its fascinating Maori and European history.
Location: Motukiore Island is located in Parua Bay, approximately 8 km east of Whangarei, 400 m east of the end of Manganese Point.

Places to take dogs in the Whangarei area

Learn where in the Whangarei area you can take your dog. Some require a permit, others your dog needs to be to be on a leash and some they can run free. Please follow the guidelines.
Location: Various locations around the Whangarei area.

Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve

Beneath the waves at the Poor Knights, the caves, arches, tunnels and sheer cliffs provide a great variety of habitats to explore.
Location: The Poor Knights Islands are located off the east coast of Northland.

Tangihua Forest

Tangihua Forest is a distinctive, rugged landmark of the Whangarei/Dargaville area, covering 3000 hectares of mainly podocarp broadleaf forest and some kauri.
Location: Tangihua Forest is located halfway between Whangarei on Northland's east coast and Dargaville on the west coast.

Whangarei Harbour Marine Reserve

The marine environment in the Whangarei Harbour is of distinctive quality, and two marine areas are set aside for protection around Motukaroro (Passage) Island and at Waikaraka.
Location: Whangarei Harbour is located on Northland's east coast, about 160 km north of Auckland.

Find out more

Weather

Maps

New Zealand topographic maps are available from DOC Visitor Centres

Learn more

Learn more about driving on the Beach - NRC website
Get involved in CoastCare - NRC website

Stop the spread of didymo

Check, Clean, Dry all items before entering, and when moving between, waterways.

Safety

Follow the Outdoor Safety Code:
1. Plan your trip
2. Tell someone
3. Be aware of the weather
4. Know your limits
5. Take sufficient supplies

Tips for driving on unsealed roads

Contacts

Whangarei Area Office
Phone:	+64 9 470 3304

Email:
Full office details