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).
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Northern Wairoa Museum
The Northern Wairoa Museum focuses on pre-European times and the first settlers. On display are a war canoe, kauri wood, and more recently the masts of the Rainbow Warrior, a Greenpeace ship which sunk in 1985.
Bayly's Beach
13km west of Dargaville is Bayly's Beach, a wild stretch of coast with numerous shifting dunes.
Bream Bay
In Bream Bay are a number of beautiful beaches, including Waipu Cove and Lang's Beach (10km south).
