West Coast day trips

Be sure to leave enough time to explore the West Coast a magnificent coastal and outdoor retreat, far away from the madding crowds. Here you can view kauri trees up to 2000 years old, discover the maritime history of the region, sample local delicacies like tua tua (shellfish) and kumara (sweet potato) or explore a variety of natural wonders along the coast. Some of the options on the West Coast are:

Kaipara District

Tane Mahuta is the largest Kauri in the world.

• Visit Pouto Point – fishing, quadbikes, clay bird shooting, bird and seal watching, beach safaris, horse trekking
• Explore the river town of Dargaville – arts and crafts, maritime museum, sailing, harbour and river cruises, cafes, restaurants
• Visit Baylys Beach – horse trekking, quad bikes, surf casting, café, beach walking, bird watching
• Explore the solar system from the observatory at Baylys Beach
• Kai Iwi Lakes – stunning fresh water lakes for fly fishing for trout, water skiing, camping, canoeing, windsurfing, yachting
• Matakohe Kauri Museum for the history of early pioneers and Kauri forests
• Walk up TokaToka Peak
• Pahi harbourside village offers house boats and NZ’s oldest Moreton Bay Fig tree

Hokianga

• Walk amongst the Kauri Giants in the Waipoua Forest
• Visit NZ’s first mainland Island – Trounson Kauri Park by day – excellent interpretation
• Take a guided tour of Trounson by night to see Kiwis and other nocturnal animals
• Sand Dune surf in the Hokianga
• Learn the story of Opo the Dolphin at the intimate South Hokianga Museum (Opononi)
• Kohukohu, Rawene and Horeke – in the upper reaches of the Hokianga Harbour – historic settlements with fascinating stories and a great place to stop for refreshments and meet the locals
• Giant boulder valley – NZ Nature park at Horeke
• Visit Northern Hokianga towns of Broadwood and Herekino, or the beach at Mitimiti