Mangawhai Heads

Mangawhai Heads

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Photo By:

Sids1

If you’re driving or RVing to Northland in New Zealand, you’ll probably spend at least one night in Whangarei. You can probably make Whangarei in a couple of hours if you don’t take the scenic roads or get stuck on the Nippon Clipon . Hopefully you drive faster than I write. I left you somewhere around Wellsford on July 11.

Just north of Wellsford, the road forks. SH1 heads for Whangarei. You’ll take SH1 if you want to cut across to the west side of the North Island on SH12. The scenic route to Whangarei– all good road– drops off to the right where you’ll find Mangawhai Heads. About 51 miles from Auckland, you can make it in about 90 minutes, spend the day, and continue to Whangarei 30 miles away– or stop over in Waipu or Ruakaka. Mangawhai Heads, a point break with a sandy beach, is popular with surfers. I’ve walked the beach, but never surfed– and probably never will since they remind you to "Take care of rocks and sharks." If you’re a surfer, you can find a

Surf Forecast and Surf Report. They’ll also give a snow forecast and a list of nearby ski resorts– which aren’t nearby. You’ve come to Northland for sun and surf. It’s sub-tropical.

If you didn’t come to New Zealand to make friends with a shark, take a two-hour walk along the cliffs where you’ll see offshore the nearby Hens and Chickens, a popular diving area, or the Hauraki Gulf Islands. You can also enjoy the Heads and stay dry by paragliding from the cliffs. This short DVD gives you a view of Mangawhai Heads.

Mangawhai Heads

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Photo By:

Sids1

Around the point on the north side, Bream Bay stretches in an arc from Langs Beach to Marsden Point. Some estuaries are wildlife refuges for shorebirds and waders including the protected NZ dotterel and variable oyster catcher. You’ll see many unfamiliar birds. If you like birds, pick up Geoff Moon’s Common Birds in New Zealand mentioned in For the Birds.

Langs Beach and Waipu Cove are good spots to stop for a picnic on the beach while enjoying swimming surfing or fishing.

Bring a torch and cool off in nearby Waipu Caves. The caves are wet and slippery, so wear good shoes. The main cave is 175 meters long and you’ll find stalagmites, stalactites and glow worms. If you want to explore some of the deeper caverns, be sure you tell someone where you’re heading, or hire a guide.

Maybe caves are not your cup of tea–just too dark and cold. The Waipu Caves Walkway (signposted on Ormiston Road) climbs a ridge through farm land then wanders through a scenic reserve to the cave area.

Piroa Falls, just south of Waipu is a 10 minute walk up a steep zigzagging path to a beautiful swimming hole. Just keep your eye out for "Flying Kiwis" jumping off the top of the falls. You’ll end up with a headache if one lands on you.

Whether you take the straight shot up SH1 or the scenic route along the cliffs and beaches, you’ll end up at Waipu. Concrete parking is available for 4 $NZ (free if just overnight) at Waipu Cove Reserve Camp on Cove Road.

If you have a self-contained RV and want to spend your money on Lion Red Beer and a good dinner, you might find free parking behind the hotel in Waipu– please ask first.

Lyn Harris
RV in NZ: How to Spend Your Winters South in New Zealand