Kauri Coast & Hokianga

Three night itinerary through the Kauri Coast and Hokianga

Auckland – Dargaville – Hokianga - Auckland

Your clients will discover the best of the Taitokerau Northland’s wild, untamed Kauri Coast and picturesque Hokianga Harbour on this three-day itinerary.

From the wild, untamed West Coast to the beautiful shelter of the kauri forests and the history-filled Hokianga Harbour, this is an itinerary of dramatic contrasts. Two Northland Journeys complement this itinerary; the Ancient Kauri Trail which traverses through the Kauri Coast, the Kumara Capital, and kauri forests, and Wandering With Ancestors which follows in the footsteps of the first Polynesian explorer Kupe and shares the stories of the people who call this area home. 

The itinerary is suitable for FIT’s, families, and groups.

Auckland to the Kauri Coast

Day 1

 Heading north from Auckland, take a left turn at the bottom of the Brynderwyn Hills on to State Highway 12 to begin the journey along the Kauri Coast. Follow the road through rolling green farmland and quaint rural villages, dotted with friendly little cafes, country pubs, and quirky second-hand stores.  

The famous Kauri Museum is the main attraction in this part of the region - a gigantic museum dedicated to the majestic kauri tree, telling the stories of past, present, and future, and of the livelihoods these giant trees supported. A new forest walkway (part of an ongoing multi-phase redevelopment) takes visitors back in time to the Jurassic era when kauri emerged in Gondwanaland and introduces the Māori dimension of the story of the kauri tree. Allow for a minimum of 2-3 hours to fully explore the museum and include time for lunch at the Gumdiggers Cafe, conveniently located across the road.  

Overnight parking is available for motorhomes at the museum, while the nearby township of Dargaville also has motel and B&B accommodation options. Families may enjoy a stay further north at the Kauri Coast Top 10 Holiday Park, surrounded by kauri forest and a picturesque river. The holiday park has a range of accommodation options from tent sites to cabins, and units, and offers Self-Guided Kiwi Night Tours in the nearby Trounson Kauri Park. Couples looking for unique romantic getaways will find great glamping options nearby like Highfield Forest Retreat.  

Kauri Coast and Waipoua Forest

Day 2

Dargaville is the main town in this region and an excellent place to stock up and fuel up. Before heading north along the winding rural State Highway 12 towards the Hokianga Harbour, a visit to Dargaville Museum - Te Whare Taonga o Tunatahi provides fascinating stories of the Kauri Coast, and exhibits of Māori artifacts and shipwreck treasures. The views from the museum over the Northern Wairoa River, Dargaville, and surrounds are spectacular too.  

Heading north, the Kauri Coast is well known for its windswept and wild coastline, including the longest drivable beach in the country, but just inland, a hidden gem awaits. Kai Iwi Lakes are a cluster of freshwater dune lakes – imagine crystal clear sparkling water fringed by white sand – and the perfect side track to stretch the legs and take a dip.  

The road continues through the dense Waipoua Forest, home to the two largest kauri trees in the world - Tāne Mahuta (God of the Forest), and Te Matua Ngahere (Father of the Forest). Although it’s possible to visit these magnificent trees along the way, a twilight tour with Footprints Waipoua provides an unmissable forest experience, hearing stories, myths, waiata (songs), and legends from a local guide, as well as important conservation information about the ongoing work to protect these ancient living giants. The tour departs early evening from the Hokianga Harbour, where there is also a range of accommodation.  

The largest accommodation offering and best option for groups is found at The Sands Hotel Hokianga, on the shores of the Hokianga Harbour overlooking the spectacular sand dunes across the water. Motels and B&Bs are also available in the area, and couples or small groups may like to consider the historic Waipoua Lodge on the southern edge of the Waipoua Forest.  

Hokianga Harbour

Day 3

The Hokianga Harbour is considered to be the oldest Māori settlement in Aotearoa, where the great Polynesian discoverer Kupe landed over 1000 years ago. Manea Footprints of Kupe brings the story of Kupe to life through an immersive 4D experience, as well as introducing visitors to Te Ao Māori, the Māori worldview through carvings and storytelling. This cultural and heritage centre is a must-visit in the Hokianga.  

Further up the harbour, Aotearoa New Zealand’s third oldest settlement Rawene is a quaint village of art and craft galleries and boutiques, and home to the historic Clendon House. Rawene is the spot to grab brunch or lunch, at the Boatshed Cafe which sits out over the water and provides views over the quiet upper reaches of the harbour. The Hokianga car ferry crosses between Rawene and Kohukohu, another quaint village with a great art gallery that’s worth a visit.  

Finish the day with a sunset harbour cruise aboard the Ranui on Hokianga, or return back to Opononi for classic kiwi fish and chips at Opononi Takeaways, or a pub meal at the Opononi Hotel restaurant as the sun sets over the sand dunes.  

For something a little bit different, Awesome Adventures Hokianga offers fully hosted homestay style experience, packed with adventures and glorious home-cooked food. 

Hokianga - Auckland

Day 4 

Meander back to Auckland via State Highway 1 through Whangārei or continue the journey by linking this itinerary with the Bay of Islands or Whangārei.

Suggestions for stops to break up the journey include Ngawha Springs - Northland's only geothermal hot pool complex, the Hundertwasser Art Centre with Wairau Māori Art Gallery in the Whangārei Town Basin, and the funky Eutopia Cafe in Kaiwaka (don't miss the cheese shop next door).