Many of us travel north in the summer holidays to baches, campgrounds or sumptuous resorts. However, with Northland’s warm climate and high level of sunshine hours, it’s a destination that really demands year-round visits.
If you like a bit of luxury, there are five luxury lodges in Northland to choose from, but, if you prefer something more down-to-earth, there are a range of campgrounds that offer cosy cabins and premium waterfront spots to park a motorhome or caravan.
With its close proximity to Auckland, Northland lends itself to a holiday itinerary that demands multiple stops. Soon after leaving Auckland you can enjoy a coffee in Whangarei or be snorkelling out to the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve with Dive Tutukaka. A couple more hours driving north and you can be playing golf on a championship standard 18 hole golf course overlooking the Karikari Estate vineyard with sweeping ocean views at Carrington Estate.
From there you can make your way to Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Reinga) and breathe in the air of this spiritually significant place. A place where two oceans meet and the essence of those who have died return to their homeland.
Northland has a rich bicultural history boasting New Zealand’s first capital city, Old Russell, the oldest stone building in Kerikeri and, if you haven’t visited Waitangi Treaty Grounds recently, the Te Kongahu Museum is a place everyone should visit at least once.
Te Kongahu Museum of Waitangi has a collection of stories and taonga that bring to life the history of Waitangi. The exhibitions make clever use of technology so displays are highly interactive and immersive. Visitors are able to gain insights into the history of Waitangi and learn of its significance to both Maori and non-Maori in a meaningful way.
On the western side of Northland is the pristine and unspoilt Hokianga and the ‘landing place of Kupe’. Navigating via the stars, Kupe is believed to have landed in the Hokianga over 1000 years ago. It is a place of great and unspoilt beauty with a range of different places to stay and explore the rare flora and fauna of the Waipoua Forest. A regular ‘must do’ is visiting Tane Mahuta, which has stood in the forest since ancient times. Thought to be over 2500-years-old, Tane Mahuta is the most famous kauri in all of Aotearoa.
No matter which part of Northland you choose to visit (though you should visit multiple places), there is such a range of differing options. No matter what season, the beachfront stays at Tauranga Bay Holiday Park are always an amazing choice. The beach is pristine, the fishing incredible and it’s not uncommon to spot pods of dolphins from the beach. The campground has some specials to make secluded beachfront holidays affordable for all. Always a favourite when staying in Tauranga Bay is a trip to The Mangonui Fish Shop. Set out over the harbour, it is arguably the best fish and chip shop in the country, with local fishermen supplying freshly caught local fish.
www.northlandnz.com www.diving.co.nz www.waitangi.org.nz www.carrington.co.nz www.taurangabay.co.nz www.mangonuifishshop.com