Kaitaia Attractions
Near the northern tip of the North Island is Kaitaia, a commercial center for the surrounding area. It is a good base for excursions northward via Waipapakauri and along Ninety Mile Beach to Cape Reinga or westward to the Maori settlement of Ahipara, at the south end of Ninety Mile Beach. The road to Cape Reinga is good all the way, but most car-rental firms prohibit driving along the beach itself.
The population of Kaitaia includes a strikingly high proportion of Maoris, as well as many descendants of 19th C. immigrants from Dalmatia (at that time part of the Austro-Hungarian empire) who made a living as gum diggers.
The population of Kaitaia includes a strikingly high proportion of Maoris, as well as many descendants of 19th C. immigrants from Dalmatia (at that time part of the Austro-Hungarian empire) who made a living as gum diggers.
Omahuta Forest Sanctuary
40km southeast of Kaitaia is the Omahuta Forest Sanctuary, with magnificent kauri trees. The original forest vegetation has largely been preserved and there are also many species of birds.
A road turns off Highway 1 to the south of Mangamuka Bridge and runs for 13km to a parking area from which a footpath goes off into the forest.
A road turns off Highway 1 to the south of Mangamuka Bridge and runs for 13km to a parking area from which a footpath goes off into the forest.
Aupouri Forest
In Aupouri Forest, to the north of Kaitaia, efforts are being made to halt the drifting sand and consolidate the dunes by planting pines along the beach.
Far North Regional Museum
The Far North Regional Museum has displays on kauri resin. It also has an anchor that the French navigator JM de Surville lost during a storm in Doubtless Bay in 1769.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Always closed on:
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Kaitaia Track
This trail (just under 10km long), 3km south of Kaitaia, runs through magnificent scenery.
Mangamuka Gorge Track
This 11km trail, 26km southwest of Kaitaia, runs from the Takahue Valley to the wild Mangamuka Gorge.
Surfcasting Contest
The Ninety Mile Beach Surfcasting Contest, held annually in January, attracts thousands of angling enthusiasts.
