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Hot Autumn Deals

The arrival of autumn in subtropical Northland is subtle as the warmth of summer lingers a little longer than in other parts of New Zealand. Glorious days out on the water and relaxed hours exploring beaches and bays are still to be enjoyed. Exotic fruits and berries ripen and are enjoyed alongside Northland wines, seafood and artisans produce.

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Twin Coast Discovery

Northland is a place where twin coasts become one, where two seas meet and where countless expressions of nature’s versatility almost beg for discovery.

The Twin Coast Discovery Highway is a circular touring route which starts in Auckland.

Houhora Houhora More [?] Head up the West Coast via SH 16 and wind your way around the shores of the mighty Kaipara Harbour to the famous Kauri Museum at Matakohe. Just after the riverside town of Dargaville, take a left turn to Baylys Beach for your first encounter with the wild Tasman Sea. Enjoy a freshwater dip in the nearby Kai Iwi Lakes, then disappear into the deep green of the Waipoua Forest – home to Tane Mahuta, the largest kauri tree in the world. As you exit the forest, the highway climbs steeply to suddenly reveal the majestic beauty of the historic Hokianga Harbour. Catch the vehicle ferry from Rawene to Kohukohu and carry on the highway to Ahipara and 90 Mile Beach. Follow the departing Maori spirits to Cape Reinga, where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean. Wander back down the East Coast, through beautiful Doubtless Bay, past countless sheltered bays and deserted white sand beaches, to the many attractions of the beautiful Bay of Islands. One hour south, Tutukaka is the gateway to the Poor Knights Islands marine reserve, a world diving mecca offering over 150 different dive sites. Then after an elegant lunch in the Quayside Town basin in Whangarei, more pohutukawa-lined beaches - one after the other, meandering back to Auckland via Bream Bay and the Mangawhai Coast.

The Twin Coast Discovery Highway provides the structure to experience the mystery and history.

But remember Northland is big. When planning a trip make sure that you have enough time to make it an experience, not just a fleeting visit. In fact, why not join the hundreds of cyclists who in March every year enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of this undulating ride on the Twin Coast Cycle Challenge – now a must-do on the sporting calendar.

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