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Kaipara District
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About ten minutes
north of Te Hana is
Kaiwaka
.
If at all possible try and pass through this town at night time and check out
the light display as you come over the hill into town. The town has gone all
out with it's display. From here if you wish you can turn east to the
Mangawhai
area and enjoy
the beaches. Brynderwyn is a little further north. Here you can decide which way to do a round trip through the north of the country. Either left through the Kauri Coast or straight up through Whangarei and the east coast. If your decision is through the Kauri Coast, then highway 12 is the one to use. Turn left at the tearooms. The first town is Maungaturoto. A dairy factory is at the entrance of this farming community and railway station at the exit. Continuing through the rural rolling hills, the next town is Paparoa It would be well worth spending a few days in this area to see all the attractions. Pahi is only a few kilometres away on the shores of the Kaipara. Matakohe Kauri museum is a little further north of Paparoa. This excellent museum takes you through the early pioneer days including The Kauri Gum Diggers and Kauri Bushmen. The biggest Kauri Gum collection in the world can be seen here. Near here is the pickup point for a Kauri Country tour. A 3 hour trip into a vibrant past, led by fifth-generation descendents of kauri millers and bushmen. Tinopai is another Kaipara settlement worth checking out. Turn off at Matakohe. Heading north again you go over two long straight hills. Coming over the second hill Ruawai Flats come into view and the mighty Northern Wairoa River bordering the far side of the flats. Ruawai is a small friendly farming community. As you may see from signs beside the road, you are now entering the Kumara Capitol of New Zealand. About halfway between Ruawai and Dargaville as you go around the bluff by the river, Tokatoka Peak can be seen on the right.  Tokatoka
is an old volcanic plug. Excellent views are to be had from the top and it is
well worth a walk up. Take the Tokatoka road up the hill past the tavern for
one kilometre and the car park is on top of the hill. The walk up will only
take about twenty minutes. From the top another peak (Mungaraho) can be seen.
To get to this peak keep on the Tokatoka road and turn left at the first turn
off heading towards Arapohue. Continuing north
Dargaville
comes up next over
the Northern Wairoa river. A trip down to Pouto Point is well worth
a day trip. You pass through the old settlement of
Te Kopuru
.While in this
area the
 beaches
are a must "to see" The golden sand beaches stretch from Maunganui Bluff down
to Pouto.
Taylor Made Tours
are a great way to check the area
out, and someone else does the driving.
For some very interesting reading regarding some possible ancient civilization in New Zealand near the Maunganui Bluff in the Waitapu Valley prior to the Maori civilization check this link out. Back on highway 12 we head towards Opononi, passing by the picturesque Kai-iwi Lakes and Trounson Kauri Park. We now leave the Kaipara District and enter the Far North District. |
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Far North
Bay Of Islands
Whangarei
Whangarei
walks
Kaipara
Dargaville
Rodney
Wenderholm
Whangaparaoa
Sandspit
Taranaki
Mt Damper Falls
Taupo
Picton
Port Underwood
Interisland Ferries
Waimate
Gunn's Bush
Dunedin
Taieri Gorge Railway
Baldwin Street