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​KAURI BUSHMANS RESERVE - Paparoa
​Kauri Bushmans Reserve offers a 15 minute loop track which winds its way through kauri trees and bush – the perfect opportunity to go for a walk on that beautiful day. When you’re finished, The close by Kauri Museum at Matakohe offers local heritage of the regions kauri logging and gum digging.

Location: Kaipara Harbour, 1 km along Sterling Road from SH 12.
Price: free
Hours: 24.
Photo courtesy of S.G Stephens
KAI IWI LAKES - 35km northwest of Dargaville
The Kai Iwi Lakes covers an area of 305ha and is popular for a range of water based activities inlcuding boating, diving, fishing, sailboarding, swimming, yachting and water skiing. There is an extensive walking track system within the reserve enabling you to enjoy the pine plantations around the north eastern margins of the lakes. Camping and picnic facilities are available for visitors to the area. You can reach the domain along State Highway 12 from the junction of Omamari Road which is well signposted. 11km along Omamari Road you'll find Kai Iwi Lakes Road to the domain.
Location: 35km's nthwest of Dargaville.
Price: free
Hours: 24
Web: ​
Photo courtesy of DOC NZ
WAIPOUA FOREST SANCTUARY
- Waipoua Forest
Thw Waipoua Forest offers a Forest Sanctuary full of rare New Zealand flora and fauna, mighty kauri, nocturnal kiwi, feather-like ferns all within a sub-tropical rainforest - the sanctuary boasts a span of 9105 hectares and offers many walkways for you to enjoy the splendor of these majestic trees. We've also listed the most popular trees within the forest individually as well as some tracks for more in-depth detail.
Location: 61.8km's Nth from Dargavillle, State Hwy 12.
Price: free
Hours: 24​
Photo courtesy of Surf Lifesaving NZ
BAYLYS BEACH - 12km's west of Dargaville
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Baylys Beach is a popular beach with Dargaville residents. The beach allows for driving without fear of being boggedin the sand, it is best to take care and not isolate yourself though. The beach can be dangerous, with strong rips and large holes, waves can change with the tide and without warning. There is no lifesaving service and the beach has good facilities; kiosk, changing rooms, toilets and shower.
Location: 12km's west of Dargaville.
Price: free.
Hours: 24
Web:
Photo courtesy of James Shook, wikipedia.
TROUNSON KAURI PARK - 40 km nth of Dargaville.
Trounson Kauri Park is a mainland island. The park includes a 586-hectare forest reserve and farmland. The park allows visitors a chance to enjoy a glimpse of what pristine kauri forests were once like. The reserve is home to several threatened species, such as North Island brown kiwi, kūkupa (NZ pigeon), pekapeka (bats) and kauri snails. It also incorporates a magnificent dense stand of kauri that has long been recognised as one of the best examples in the country.
​Location: 40km's North of Dargaville.
Price: free​
Hours: 24.
Photo courtesy of DOC NZ
WAIPOUA FOREST LOOKOUT - Waipoua Forest
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The lookout offers you a birds eye view over the Kauri forest canopy from the south end of the park. Getting there you'll find signposted information by car along state highway 12 or you can take the walking track. The website below will inform you of the track which leaves from the information centre.
Location: Waipoua Forest.
Price: free.
Hours: 24.
Web: http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/northland/kauri-coast/lookout-track/
TOATOA WALK & VIEWPOINT - Waipoua Foreast
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​The walk is given its name from the presence of the Toatoa (Phyllocladus glaucus toatoa) at the end of the walk. The walk offers you a self guided trail with identifcation labels on plants as you go along. The walk entry is located at the southern end of the Waipoua Forest off Lookout Road, off State Highway 12.
Location: Off Lookout Rd, Waipoua Forest, off state highway 12.
Hours: 24
Price: free.
Web: http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/northland/kauri-coast/toatoa-walk/
Photo courtesy of DOC NZ
TE MATUA NGAHERE WALK - Waipoua Forest
The Te Matua Ngahere Walk consists of three walks to three of the great Kauri trees in Northland, Te Matua Ngahere, Four Sisters & Yakas.
You'll find the walks listed in the car park. Its a 20-minute walk (each way) which leads you past the Four Sisters, four tall trees that have fused together at the base, Te Matua Ngahere (the Father of the Forest), the fattest living kauri (16.4m). To Yakas its a 30 minute walk (each way), Yakas is the seventh-largest kauri.
​Location: State Highway 12, Waipoua Forest, signposted "Kauri Walks".
Hours: 24.
Price: free.
Web: http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/northland/kauri-coast/te-matua-ngahere-walk/
DARGAVILLE MUSEUM - Dargaville

​Dargaville Museum hosts a large gumdigging display as well as maritime displays, A model railway, Maori displays and musical-instrument sections.
An interesting museum to visit.
Guided tours can be arranged for groups over 10 people.
Location: Harding Park, Dargaville.
Hours: Summer 9am till 5pm | Winter 9am till 4pm.
Price: Adults $15, Seniors $12, Child $2.
TANE MAHUTA - Kauri Coast, Dargaville.
The Tane Mahuta is a mighty kauri tree situated in Waipoua Forest. Its location is near the north end of the park, not far from the road. Tane Mahuta stands at a height of 168 feet, with a girth of 42.5 and total mass of 18,250 cubic feet, he’s the largest kauri alive. His age is estimated to be between 1,250 to 2,500 years old.
Location: 62km's from Dargaville, from portland st on to State Highway 12.
Hours: 24
Price: free, tours may charge.
Web: http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/northland/kauri-coast/tane-mahuta-walk/
Photo courtesy of
Tai Tokerau Maori and Cultural Tourism Association
Photo courtesy of North South Multi Media
TAHA AWA RIVERSIDE GARDENS - Dargaville.
The Taha Awa gardens are situated in the centre of the Dargaville Township and are a popular location for walks, kids and their families. Here you'll find a playground shaped like a tall ship and a whale jawbone, there's also a fernery, and swamp, coastal and scented gardens. The 5km Historic River Walk starts its loop from the gardens; Brochures can be found at the information centre, yellow signs lead the way to the museum.
Location: Totara Street, Dargaville.
Hours: 24.
Price: free.
Web:
Kaipara/Dargaville & Surrounds Sights
Kaiwaka, Dargaville, Ruawai
Maungaturoto, Paparoa, Opononi, Omapere, Rawene
James Shook - - wikipedia
Northland offers a scenery unmatched and some of New Zealands earliest history. Its warm & sunny climate led both Maori & European settlers to its region.
The north island's Kaipara Region has a beautiful scenery of rolling farmlands fringed with breathtaking beaches and bays. The coastlines have remained unspoilt making the area an aquatic paradise.
The West Coast is becoming increasing popular as a lifestyle & tourist destination, from the Pouto Lighthouse in the south to Maunganui Bluff in the north. The area has a wealth of maritime history for both Maori and European. Many shipping disasters have been staged here, the remains of which can still be seen from time to time as the tide drops.
Dargaville, on the banks of the mighty Northern Wairoa River, offers an attractive place to shop, visit, live and work, with the Dargaville Maritime Museum offering magnificent views over Dargaville and the surrounding area.
The Kaipara Harbour is the worlds second largest enclosed harbour. The harbour is bound to the land with a huge water catchment area and is the 'food basket" of Ngati Whatua and others who collect from it. The harbour is considered a taonga worth preserving.
Mangawhai offers a seaside town situated on the east coast, popular as a lifestyle and holiday destination for its hidden charms. It has a breathtaking beach and unique tidal estuary waiting for you.
Mangawhai has environmental, ecological and cultural values and is home to the Fairy Tern (endangered fauna).
The area is popular for its beautiful walks it attracts artists from all over who find inspiration in the magic of the region.
"a wealth of maritime history for both Maori and European. Many shipping disasters have been staged here"
Photo courtesy of Colin Henein
Photo courtesy of Dargaville Museum