The 11 Best things to do in Te Tai Tokerau, Northland | On a Road Trip
Te Tai Tokerau / Northland, is one of those places that combines wild beauty, fascinating history, and a sense of endless adventure.
It’s probably my favorite part of New Zealand, and I’ve managed to venture up year almost every summer over the last 10 years.
Here are the 11 best things (I reckon) there are to do in Northland on your next summer road trip.
Table of Contents
1. Stretch Your Legs on the Cape Brett Lighthouse Hike
If you’ve got a spare 2 days and itchy feet then I’d highly recommend the overnight hike to Cape Brett Hut. The full hike is 16.3km each way, but there are options to take a water taxi to shorten it to a more manageable 6km, as well as doing it as a day trip.
The undulating trail teases you with glimpses of the coastline, with rugged cliffs and islands dotting the horizon. Eventually you wind up at the decommissioned lighthouse perched precariously on the edge of the peninsula.ย
You’ll stay in a DOC hut, which is the old converted lighthouse keeper’s quarters. It’s just been renovated again at the end of 2024 to freshen it up and improve the water system.
The hike is relatively short, but rated as advanced, I didn’t expect it to be as punishing as it was. We finished each day having climbed a whopping 1300m of elevation gain. But the treats were worth the mahi and we got to experience one of the best sunrises I’ve seen in New Zealand.
How to Get There
The trail starts at Oke Bay in Rawhiti, about a 3 hour drive from Auckland. Thereโs parking available near the start of the track. From there, itโs a one-way hike to the lighthouse.
Cost
Access to the trail between Deep Water Cove and Cape Brett is free, but if you to hike the sections between Rawhiti and Deep Water Cove, which crosses private land, youโll need to pay a fee of $20 per child and $40 per adult.
I’ve got a more comprehensive guide to the Cape Brett lighthouse walk here.
2. Snorkel the Goat Island Marine Reserve
Goat Island was New Zealandโs first marine reserve, established to protect and restore the areaโs biodiversity. The beauty of Goat Island lies in its accessibility. You don’t need to venture far from shore to experience its beauty, and the seas are reasonably shallow and sheltered making it great for first-time snorkelers or anyone who wants a low-pressure introduction to marine life.
You can take your own snorkel, or rent gear from Goat Island Dive & Snorkel. We actually did their guided SCUBA trip this last summer and it was awesome – but you don’t need to SCUBA to experience Goat Island!
How to Get There
Goat Island is about an hourโs drive north of Auckland. Follow the signs to Leigh, about 15 minutes past Matakana, and youโll find parking near the reserve. From there, itโs a short walk to the beach.
3. Brush Up on New Zealand History at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds
Waitangi is described as the nation’s birthplace and was the site of signing the Declaration of Independence, He Whakaputanga, in 1835 and the Treaty of Waitangi, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, in 1840.
The Waitangi Treaty Grounds museum offers a deep dive into this founding document, signed between Mฤori chiefs and representatives of the British Crown almost 200 years ago (learn more here).
For international tourists, this is a great entry point into New Zealand history. But also as a local, Waitangi is somewhere I believe every Kiwi needs to visit at least once in their lives.
How to Get There
The Treaty Grounds are just a 5-minute drive or a 25-minute walk from the Pahia town center. Itโs about a 3-hour drive from Auckland.
Cost
Entry costs $35 for local adults and $70 for international adults, which includes a guided tour and access to cultural performances. Kids under 13 enter free.
You can learn more about Waitangi at the official Treaty Grounds website.
4. Take in the Sunset at Baylys Beach
Baylys Beach is a long stretch of grey on the west coast, near Dargaville.
Unlike east coast beaches, Baylys feels wild, barren, and very untouched. You can walk for 10’s of kilometres in either direction and see nothing and no one – just be careful as the beach is technically a main road!
There’s a short clifftop walk above the beach which is the perfect spot to witness a wicked west coast sunset. Itโs a great spot for photography enthusiasts, too.
Baylys Beach Holiday Park is a 5-minute walk from the beach and a 5-minute walk from the other watering hole, Sharkey’s Bar and Fish and Chip shop.
How to Get There
Baylys Beach is about a 2-hour drive north of Auckland and 10 minutes from Dargaville. Thereโs plenty of parking at the beach entrance.
Cost
Free! Bring your own snacks and drinks if you plan to linger.
5. Take a Dip at Oke Bay
Oke Bay is tucked away in the Bay of Island. The calm water makes it perfect for a lazy swim or just floating on your back while soaking up the sun. Oke Bay apart is off the beaten path, so you wonโt find crowds here. I spent hours lounging on the beach, dipping in and out of the water.
How to Get There
The bay is about a 38-minute drive from Russell or 3.5 hours from Auckland. Youโll need to park near the Cape Brett trailhead and walk over a small ridge (path) to the bay.
You can park on the side of the road easy enough, or continue 200m up the road and you can get parking for $5 a day on one of the neighbor’s properties.
Cost
Freeโjust bring your own gear and snacks.
6. Grab a Feed at the Mangonui Fish and Chip Shop
If thereโs one place in Northland that lives up to its reputation, itโs the Mangonui Fish and Chip Shop. Naturally, youโll be hit by the scent of freshly fried fish and salty sea air when you enter.
The fish is as fresh as it gets, caught locally, and cooked to order. I went with the classic snapper and chips, and it did not disappoint. The fish was flaky, golden, and perfectly seasoned, while the chips were crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The real treat was enjoying my meal on the deck overlooking the water.
How to Get There
Mangonui is about a 3-hour drive from Auckland. The fish and chip shop is easy to find, right on the main road through town.
Cost
Expect to pay around $15-$25 per person, depending on your order.
7. Feel the Squeaky Sand at Rarawa Beach
Rarawa Beach is unlike any other beach Iโve been to, and it all comes down to the sand. Itโs impossibly white andโhereโs the kickerโit squeaks under your feet because of the fine, compressed sand.
The beach stretches on and on, with rolling dunes on one side and gentle waves. Rarawa is the kind of place where you can spend hours just walking, exploring, or lying in the sun. The river mouth is great for kids and water toys, and the rocks at the south head are good to fish off!
There’s also a DOC campsite here which operates on a first come first served basis.
How to Get There
Rarawa Beach is about 50 minutes from Kaitaia. Thereโs a car park with easy access to the beach.
Cost
Free. Just bring sunscreen and a camera.
8. Climb Te Paki Sand Dunes (and Boogie Board Back Down!)
These towering dunes stretch as far as the eye can see. Climbing to the top is no small featโI could feel my calves burning with every step.
The real fun begins on the way down. I rented a sandboard from a stand near the entrance and prepared to hurtle back to the base. Sliding down the dunes, with the wind whipping past me and sand spraying in every direction, was pure, unfiltered joy. I highly recommend bringing some goggles to keep the sand out of your eyes.
How to Get There
The dunes are located at the northern tip of Northland, just off SH 1.
Cost
Access to the dunes is free. Boogie board rentals are around $15-$20 per board – or just bring your own of course!
9. Snap a Postcard at the Cape Reinga Lighthouse
Cape Reinga is one of those places that leaves you in awe, no matter how many photos youโve seen of it beforehand.
The lighthouse is perched at the very edge of New Zealandโs northernmost tip, where the Tasman sean and Pacific Ocean collide in
It’s a long drive, but the short walk from the car park to the lighthouse is easy and paved, making it accessible for almost anyone. Iโd recommend coming early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the crowds and tour busses that flock in each day.
How to Get There
Cape Reinga is about 1.5 hours north of Kaitaia via SH 1. Thereโs a car park at the trailhead, and itโs an easy walk to the lighthouse.
๐ฅพ Adventure Up: If you’re a keen hiker and have 3 spare days, the Te Paki Trail is an epic hike that IMO gives the Great Walks a run for their money. It traverses the coastline from Spirits Bay, up and over Cape Rienga, past the lighthouse, and back down to Te Paki Sand Dunes.
10. Marvel at the Whangฤrei Hundertwasser Art Centre
The Whangฤrei Hundertwasser Art Centre is a masterpiece, with its uneven lines, colorful mosaic tiles, and that famous gold onion dome.
The center houses an incredible collection of works by artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, while the rooftop garden has stunning views of Whangฤrei Harbour. Even if youโre not a big art person, the centre has a way of drawing you in and making you see the world a little differently.
How to Get There
The center is located on the waterfront next to Hฤtea River in Whangฤrei City
Cost
$20 for adults and $15 for children.
11. SCUBA Dive the Poor Knights Islands
The Poor Knights area is a marine reserve and generally regarded as the best diving in New Zealand. You can tell the moment you enter the water the biodiversity here is astonishing, with species you wonโt find anywhere else. Highlights include swimming through the Blue Maomao Arch, a natural underwater tunnel teeming with thousands of fish.ย
If youโre not an experienced diver, you can snorkel. The water is crystal clear, and the abundance of marine life makes it just as rewarding.
How to Get There
The islands are located about 23km off the Tutukaka Coast. Dive Tutukaka is the largest operator in the area and run regular day trips to the Poor Knights.
Cost
Dive trips range from $249 to $359.ย
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