Top Things to Do in Mangonui - Mangonui Attractions
Things to Do in Mangonui
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Top Attractions in Mangonui
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What travellers are saying
- Brian DDarlington, UK991 contributionsGorgeous beach with a row of phutikawa trees - a magnificent sight of New Zealand Christmas trees. If you move along from the car park there is plenty of space on the beach.
The long drop is a bit smelly!!Written 27 January 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - leslie h9 contributionsWhat a delightful experience this was. Never been on a museum visit like it. We had a tour conducted personally by owner Jan who is super nice and full of stories to really give a flavour of what it was like to be a whaler.
And the gardens - just gorgeous and you get to have a private picnic opportunity in them (bring it with you).
We would have visited just for the gardens so the combination is a great experience.Written 29 January 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Explore21888825843Auckland Central, New Zealand11 contributionsDefinitely worth the visit. Friendly locals helped us find the road to the reserve. Drive into "Reserve Road" (unsealed) off Rangikapiti Road. Carpark just below the trig point and short uphill walk from there. We were not in ideal walking shoes but the other walking tracks around the reserve look interesting - for another time. Terrific views at the top.Written 17 October 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- JaneKerikeri, New Zealand208 contributionsWonderful time. Our party of 4 just 3 of us tasted wine as fourth person cannot drink wine. Karen was exceptionally tentative, professional and very knowledgeable. We couldn't believe that all the wines were included in the tasting and just $10 per person. A thoroughly enjoyable time. We took away a bottle of the beautiful port and two bottles of wine. Highly recommend anybody visit. Was easy to book tasting too.Written 11 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Explore21888825843Auckland Central, New Zealand11 contributionsA lovely walk on a sunny day. The views along the coastal walk are great. We found the Loop Walk section that is through some lightly treed area by a stream was delightful. Good parking at the end of the access road off Highway 10. Suitable for most abilities - some uphill. Not suitable for pushchairs, wheelchair or others with mobility barriers. We took about 40 minutes at a slow to moderate pace around the whole track.Written 17 October 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Cliff JLondon, UK2,066 contributionsPick-up a Heritage Trail map/leaflet ($1) from the very good, helpful Information Centre in town. The map lists 21 of the oldest buildings around town, with #1 The Old Courthouse, right next door to the information centre. There is a steep climb between numbers 4 and 5 but the views are worth the effort. The whole trail takes around 90-minutes at a leisurely pace. Some of the building are private houses and you are asked to respect their privacy.Written 28 March 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- getdihereKerikeri, New Zealand590 contributionsNice little gallery with an excellent selection of local art. More modern art than traditional. Craving and leather work also available to purchase.Written 17 December 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Jenny B4 contributionsMostly bric a brac, car boot and op shopping. lovely kitchen indoors selling baking, tea and coffee.
some stalls with pickles and chutneys or honey for saleWritten 7 February 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Janie TAuckland, New Zealand3 contributionsDelightful personal guided tour. Local knowledge abundant and personally prepared picnic lunch in remote northland bay.Written 22 March 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Robby G CToronto, Canada81,632 contributionsThis is the best tout we ever had! We were picked up at our bed and breakfast and we had a tour all over the top of the Northern peninsula. It lasted all day and we sure enjoyed every activity. We ate breakfast at a beach and lunch at another beach. Everything was provided for us and we had nothing to worry about!
The highlights of our trip in chronological order:
1.Rarawa Beach
Near the town of Ngataki there is a beautiful white sanded beach. Supposedly many locals like to sure here. However I saw many riding on a motor bike or having a picnic in the dunes. It’s true though has waves. It sure is nice to walk in the ocean barefoot. The white sand is so fine that it makes it a pleasant experience.
Another nice feature, there aren’t too many people on that beach, so everyone can have their privacy.
2. Cape Reinga
On one of New Zealand's most northerly shores lies a fascinating area: Cape Reinga.
The Cape Reinga lighthouse graces the view of two mighty bodies of water, the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean, as they come crashing together. The roll of their waves beat mercilessly upon the many beautiful beaches surrounding the cape. It is an astounded view!
The fauna in this region can't exactly be considered "towering". The area is subject to nearly constant heavy winds, and as a result, it is renowned for being an place where Bonsais grow naturally.
There is this one tree, however, that continues to spread its lofty branches high into the sky, soaring way above any of the other plant life in the region. It is a lonely Pohutukawa tree (also called a "Christmas Tree" due to the fact that it breaks out into beautiful red blooms around Christmas time each year). The Pohutukawa's branches are gnarled and twisted, defying the heavy easterly winds, and the scientists have to stand and scratch their heads, wondering how such a tree could even exist. But not only does it stand tall now, it has been standing tall for the last 800 years! Though they have tried, the intense winds haven't been able to bring it down!
Cape Reinga is located at the northernmost area of New Zealand, approximately 60 km north of Kaitaia.
3. Te Paki Sand Dunes
The dunes at Te Paki Sand Dunes are humongous! So humongous that all tourist busses stop here, to allow their passengers do some sand boarding. It is quite a trek to climb those dunes, but once at the top, going down on a board is an exhilarating experience, to be done over and over again, if there is time!
This place has also a wide range of native plants and animals.
It is really worthwhile to stop here. Bring a board with you if you can!
4. Tapotupotu Beach
We had the privilege to have lunch at Tapotupotu Bay. Before eating I went to take pictures of this picturesque beach. Nearby there was a rustic camping ground. It seems it was quite cramped. It is the most northerly campground in New Zealand.
However the bay was so beautiful! The dunes added some ambience with its many plants and there was also one mighty tree nearby that enhanced our experience at this beach.
5. Ninety-Mile beach
The Ninety-Mile beach is a beautiful beach on the North island of New Zealand. Surrounded by dunes, flat sand and an active Tasman Sea, it attracts all kinds of people. However it is far from being a safe place, especially if someone decides to swim in the sea.
It is renowned for its left hand surf breaks and its beautiful sunsets. This beach is mostly a highway, at least during low tides. Busses, jeeps and even cars drive at outstanding speeds there! Some people sunbath, but there weren’t many when we were there!
In late February or early March they have there a five day fishing competition. Everyone out there hopes to catch the largest snapper.
When we first arrived there with our tour group, we stopped near a huge dune, where we were able to sled on it. It was quite fun. A memory never to forget!
Interestingly enough the Ninety-Mile beach is only 55 milrs long. Maybe it is called so, because many drive at 90 miles an hour on that beach?
Still, it is an amazing beach!
6. Northland Region Ancient Kauri Kingdom
An unique shop in the Northland that attracts myriads of tourists!
Our tour guide stopped here for us to peruse through this store. I was amazed by the many wood products. Some were quite expensive, others were more affordable. They had some huge wooden statues. We bought a wooden frame and a bookmark, as a souvenir of New Zealand.
All these wooden products come from ancient Kauri woods that are found in the swamps in the Northland of New Zealand. Most of them were buried there for thousands of years.
They guarantee all of their products the age, quality, authenticity and workmanship and naturally for being manufactured in New Zealand.
We were amazed by the huge wooden staircase, all carved from a very old kauri stump that had to be dragged out of the swamps and transported to the location of this store. I have no idea how they transported it, as it was 140 tons, the largest swamp kauri log ever found.
When trying to extract this tree in one piece, it snapped the 2 winch ropes (They could sustain 90 tons each!). They had no choice but to cut 110 tons off and pull that one out first. The remainder 30 tons was pulled out afterwards. They were able to cut a 50 tons section to turn this section into a staircase.
Carving this monstrosity took a lot of effort and a lot of sweating! First they had to pour a half meter thick reinforced concrete pad, to keep the log upright. It took 500 hours to carve the staircase with a chainsaw. Quite impressive, don’t you think!
We saw many other attractions that were all quite outstanding.Written 11 June 2015This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
