Dargaville Attractions

The little town of Dargaville (pop. 5000), founded in 1872 by an Irish immigrant, lies 60km southwest of Whangarei. Immigrants from Dalmatia settled in the town, originally as gum diggers (prospectors for kauri resin). Dargaville rapidly developed into an important center of the trade in kauri timber and resin. Ships sailed into Kaipara Harbour and then up the broad Wairoa River to Dargaville. Dargaville is now a popular base for excursions to Trounson Kauri Park (35km north) and Waipoua Kauri Forest (52km north).