Scenic highlights on the Tutukaka Coast

Stonewalls

Following eruptions 10, 000 years ago the land was littered with volcanic rock. Settlers to the area cleared this rock from the land so they could farm it, and used the rock to form walls to stop cattle roaming. Today many of these beautiful walls remain and are located at Glenbervie, Three Mile Bush, Maungatapere and Maungakaramea. There are approximately 156 kilometers of constructed walls within the district.

Tutukaka Coast

These days Tutukaka is a fishing port, a coastal waypoint for local and international yachties and home to a fleet of private launches and charter boats for diving and fishing. It is also the base for dive trips to the famous Poor Knights Islands. The islands are a Marine Reserve, and renowned world wide for the deep clear waters and variety of sea-life. Continue on to Matapouri and Whale Bay, two of the finest beaches in the country. Whale Bay is an idyllic spot with walking access only (five minutes). Sandy Bay, venue for surf championships, is the turning point of your journey. You can return via the same route or continue on through farmland rejoining the highway at Hikurangi. This makes an 80 kilometre round trip.

The Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve

An extraordinary and unique sea-carved landscape of soaring arches, vast seacaves and hidden harbours, 23kms off the mainland in the warm Pacific Ocean . Total reserve status above and below the water protects the unique flora and fauna which Jacques Cousteau rates as one of the top ten dive sites of the world.

The Poor Knights Islands are a 4 million year old rhyolite volcano, believed to be remains of large lava domes running from the Coromandel Peninsula to the east coast of Northland. Most of the islands are surrounded by sheer cliffs some plunging to a depth of 90 metres with numerous caves and archways above and below the water.

With a tragic Maori history, the islands remain uninhabited to this day , however, its underwater treasures are held in the highest regard.

Established as a Marine reserve in 1981 - an ocean of diving has been compressed into a relatively small area. From turbulent sunlight waters and kelp forests on the upper reaches of the tumbling "giant staircase", to the dark waters of the islands many caves. The Poor Knights Islands is attracting world-wide attention as a dive destination.

Poor Knights is also home of Riko Riko cave - recently surveyed as the largest sea cave in the world.

Poor Knights Islands