The Kauri Coast Experience

Northland, in particular the Kauri Coast, covers the unexplored area of New Zealand. It hosts the Waipoua State Forest, famous for the Tane Mahuta, the world's largest and oldest Kauri tree. There are the Kai-Iwi Lakes, where you can fish for trout, swim, boat or jet-ski. There are the beaches, east coast for swimming, west coast for fishing or driving along. There are great places to stay, eat and shop. It is cheap, the people are really friendly and if you are interested, there is plenty of Maori and European history to enjoy.

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

The best way to enjoy this part of the world is to hire a car--or motor home--so that you can take your time exploring the sights and taking in the atmosphere. There are also bus tours available, but they will not allow you to explore the true nature of this area.

Fully self contained units, staying here is a bargain. The prices quoted above are New Zealand dollars!

This is a really clean place. Run by a husband and wife team, Dot and Alan, they do their best to see that your stay is a happy one. You can order evening meals and breakfasts, delivered to your rooms, or cater for yourselves. All units come with kitchen utensils, small stove, fridge. You have separate bathrooms with shower, basin and toilet. Sitting/bedroom has TV with digital Sky channels, large double beds, some include singles and sleep up to eight people.

Victoria Street is the heart of Dargaville, and it is an easy walk to the main shopping and Dining part of town.

Well worth a visit, should you go, tell Dot and Alan that Lisa say''s hi.

The Kaihu Tavern is a little oasis on the main highway North. A visit here may seem strange, as the attire is strictly casual, the locals are predominantly farmers, and the decor is probably 'cosy' to be kind.. But the food is excellent. Probably categorised as 'fast food' there are full meals available, and on Fridays they have a roast meal available at a really cheap price. The locals are fun, happy to play pool or darts with anyone, and more than happy to make you feel welcome. It's my local, drop-in place to go.

If you have ever wondered what life was like for early European visitors it is worth a visit to this museum. The Matakohe Kauri Museum boasts a host of information about the early gum diggers and Kauri saw-millers, that carved a place for themselves in the wilderness of Northland.

There are beautiful displays of Kauri wood and Kauri Gum products. Many photo's depicting life at the time. But probably the best feature for me was the recreation of how kauri trees were milled and processed, before the advent of our modern machinery.

You need to spend a lot of time in here, to absorb absolutely everything. There is a cafe within walking distance so you won't starve, and it is well worth the visit.

Fishing here, as with anywhere require patience. I have fished here a number of times. The best time of year to go is our winter months, July thru' August. The water is not artic temprature, but it can be chilly. To get decent fish you will need to wade about mid thigh since a couple of the lakes have a shelf, which makes it easier to cast over if you are wading. But you can catch fish from the shore of the main ski lake. Hence the need to fish in winter, who wants to get their line tangled up with a jet ski?

The trout are a brown trout, and there are some up to 10 lb's in the lake, but they have been there for a while, and would take some catching :) The average size is between 4 and 7 lb, and make a delicious meal, especially smoked.

When I first saw the Tane Mahuta it took my breath away. This awesome tree towers above his brothers and sisters of the forest, and is just magnificent. Tane Mahuta is Maori for God of the forest, and this tree has watched over the rest for over 2000 years.

In recent times a platform has been erected to stop tourists trampling and disturbing the root structure, but apart from that this tree is the same as it has been for ages. I first saw it when I was 15 years old. I am now almost 40, and visit it about once every three months. There is a majesty about this tree, an amazing feeling of peace comes over you as you stare (up) at the sight. There is a timelessness about the whole forest, that sweeps you up, and leaves you feeling calm and whole, no matter what has happened in your day.

The drive through the forest is about 29 kms, with windy curves, and bush coming down to the road edge throughout. Occasionally the road turns, simply because right at the edge is another large Kauri. You can almost imagine dinosaurs coming out of the bush, this land that time forgot, is one I will remember forever.