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Thread ID: 103378 2009-09-21 01:37:00 North of Auckland - what to see and do FoxyMX (5) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
812301 2009-09-22 00:46:00 Dammit... I wish I could remember the places I visited when I was up North. I took my family to a forest near Whangarei which was outstanding, with lush vegetation, great walking trails, and awesome kauris.

Perhaps contact DOC for good nature sites up there.
Was it the Waipoua Forest where that big kauri tree is
prefect (6291)
812302 2009-09-22 02:11:00 I recommend some of the small walks out in the middle of nowhere. In Whangaroa, the St Paul's Rock (doc.govt.nz)walk gives spectacular views and is just a short jaunt up a slope. Another beautiful walk is the walk from Totara North to Lane Cove cottage, it's called the Wairakau Stream Track (doc.govt.nz), and is a bit longer but if you're into walking it's seriously worth it. Just don't do what I did and leave your phone and glasses on the roof of your car when you leave! (I found my glasses the next morning, in the middle of the road, undamaged! My phone was handed in to the DSE in Kerikeri about 2 months later.)

If you are around Kerikeri, the Manginangina Kauri walk (doc.govt.nz)is a short boardwalk which is quite informative and you see some magnificent trees.

Anyway, just browse the DOC site for some good info on things to do in the areas you're visiting.
roddy_boy (4115)
812303 2009-09-22 04:30:00 Cheers all . Some really good suggestions here . :thumbs:



This ( . google . com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=3+dent+street+whangarei&sll=37 . 0625,-95 . 677068&sspn=50 . 956929,114 . 169922&ie=UTF8&ll=-35 . 722175,174 . 321125&spn=0 . 003218,0 . 006968&z=18&iwloc=A&layer=c&cbll=-35 . 722198,174 . 321221&panoid=00abTFOPmQtKAYx2WPY4Ag&cbp=12,3 . 47,,0,6 . 66" target="_blank">maps . google . com) is our little hidey hole

I'm sure I could manage to find you there! Will make the effort to drop in . :cool:



Oh, and if you get the chance, slide down the sand dunes on a boogie board . Just remember to keep your arms inside . And bring some cotton buds when you go for a shower .

Earplugs might be a better option . :stare:



Dont go off the beaten track Northland is a dangerous place for unwary tourists .

So that is not just a rumour I have heard? How bad is it? What areas should we be wary of? Is that why people recommend taking a tour up to Cape Reinga rather than self-drive?



Anyway, just browse the DOC site for some good info on things to do in the areas you're visiting .

Great suggestions and site, just what I needed . I take it those areas are not dodgy with regards to personal safety?
FoxyMX (5)
812304 2009-09-22 05:16:00 Dont go off the beaten track Northland is a dangerous place for unwary tourists.

What a load of utter rubbish! Camping alone in an out of the way area could be risky, but no more so than anywhere else in New Zealand. Tens of thousands of tourists visit Northland every year, and only one or two instances of people coming to harm have occurred. I am sure that you will take all the usual precautions, like not leaving your car in an out-of-the-way place, just as you would when travelling in other parts of the country, or the world for that matter, and have a perfectly safe and enjoyable trip. Just don't let doomsayers like prefect put you off. He doesn't know what he is talking about. You will find Northlanders to be great, hospitable hosts. :)
Richard (739)
812305 2009-09-22 06:26:00 Another link for your perusal.

www.kauricoast.co.nz
Sweep (90)
812306 2009-09-22 06:38:00 What a load of utter rubbish! Camping alone in an out of the way area could be risky, but no more so than anywhere else in New Zealand. Tens of thousands of tourists visit Northland every year, and only one or two instances of people coming to harm have occurred. I am sure that you will take all the usual precautions, like not leaving your car in an out-of-the-way place, just as you would when travelling in other parts of the country, or the world for that matter, and have a perfectly safe and enjoyable trip. Just don't let doomsayers like prefect put you off. He doesn't know what he is talking about. You will find Northlanders to be great, hospitable hosts. :)

one or two lol so I was one of the two in Kaitaia in February where some maoris attacked our camper. Although we were rescued by the police and the crooks got a hiding for resisting arrest it was terrifying and according to the police a common event.
Northland is not as safe as the rest of New Zealand be careful.
prefect (6291)
812307 2009-09-22 08:00:00 I reckon it's great that folks explore North Island.

Too much is said about South Island (which of course can't be argued about). But central, South and Northern parts of North Island are inarguably fantastic.

Foxy... if you're taking your bikes on a trailer then 90 Mile beach just shouldn't be missed. But beware of the quicksands!
Greg (193)
812308 2009-09-22 11:15:00 Great suggestions and site, just what I needed. I take it those areas are not dodgy with regards to personal safety?

Nah they're all good, however there's a bit of a risk of your vehicle getting broken into, so always take valuable belongings with you.
roddy_boy (4115)
812309 2009-09-23 02:17:00 Yesterday see what I meanwww.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10599017 prefect (6291)
812310 2009-09-23 21:07:00 Waitangi's nice to visit so you can say you've been there.A lot different now to when I wired the place for security years ago ! That whole area is nice. Ferry across to Russell is great too, but don't bother driving back to Whangarei on the coast road. Very long and windy.
And definitely the Kauri Museum in Matakohe. See if you can spot my great grandfather in some of the bush photos.
Neil McC (178)
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