Sea: remote golden sand deserted beaches

Waipoua Lodge is just 3kms from the sea 'as the crow flies' and 10 minutes to Maunganui Bluff - a 1500 foot high sentinel, sacred to maori, marks the end of New Zealand's longest drivable beach. The wild golden sand beach, with great surf breaks and rolling sand dunes is a great place to take a long run or share a romantic walk. You'll probably be the only people on the beach, a freedom seldom found, yet common to Waipoua.

Our fishing guide will chauffeur you for a full/half day 4x4 trip on our deserted beaches for surfcasting where he will assist you to catch your own fish (that we will cook for your dinner). Explore the story of the sea, the fur seals, the shipwrecks, seascapes and the rugged coastline.

Further down the beach is Baylys Beach, where you can hire a quad bike and freedom ride down the beach and dunes. Lunch at the Funky Fish Café after a game of golf on a course with views of the deep blue sea. You don't need to book - put your money in the honesty box and play golf whenever it suits!

The Hokianga Harbour
One of the jewels of Northland, an early European settlement, is just 40 minutes from the lodge. Discover the history, ride down sand dunes or swim in the sea. 'Crossings Hokianga' boat cruise provides a maori interpretation of the historically significant Hokianga. Take in magnificent harbour views and sand duning - so much fun! Try safe harbour swimming, arts, crafts and mazes. Walk to waterfalls in beautiful Waioterama or find the sea caves and blow hole at the Harbour entrance.

Charter a Big Game Fishing boat for marlin, shark & tuna – launched wherever the fish are biting. Or spend the day in Hokianga Harbour - catch snapper, snorkel or dive for crayfish from the boat. If you are able to bring a 4 wheel drive to the lodge, we can send you to wilderness locations with kayaks to throw on your roof rack. We can also arrange a guide with a 4x4 if you aren’t able to bring your own.

Download our Complete Forest PDF guide here