Ahipara
Ahipara is at the southern end of 90 Mile Beach, 14 kms west of Kaitaia. Renowned for spectacular sunsets it also boasts one of the best left hand surf breaks in the world and is home to one of Northland’s award winning wineries.
This unspoiled sandy beach curves its way up the western shoreline almost to Cape Reinga. Apart from taking time to relax and soak up the scenery popular local pastimes are surfcasting, sunbathing, surfing, land yachting, walking, fishing, shellfish gathering, horse riding, dune riding, body boarding, kite flying and hang gliding. There's also an all weather, year round 18 hole links golf course running parallel to 90 Mile Beach.
Ahipara.
Shipwreck Bay is aptly named as it was the site of the sinking of many ships, the wrecks of which are still visible at low tide. Close by is the Ahipara Gumfields Historic reserve and the remnants of ancient kauri forests. At their peak the gumfields supported two thousand people, three hotels, and numerous shops. Bullock teams carted the gum to the beach at Shipwreck Bay, from here the ships sailed on to Auckland.
Ahipara's first church and school were built in 1872 and the town of around 1,000 supported several stores, post office and boarding house. In the 1950's the market for gum fell away and so did much of the population. The township currently has a resident population of around 1,100 people.
Ahipara is a popular camping spot - other accommodation options include motels, bed and breakfast accommodation and self contained holiday homes or units.
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