Northland: Coast, Culture and Nature in the North of New Zealand

Taitokerau Northland is New Zealand’s northernmost and only subtropical region. Here, striking landscapes meet places that bring important chapters of Aotearoa New Zealand’s history to life. The Te Paki sand dunes form a series of enormous dunes around 150 m high. Tāne Mahuta, a kauri tree, is known as the “Lord of the Forest.” If you’re interested in the dunes, please note: sandboarding on the Te Paki dunes is risky. Check the latest advice and conditions before your visit.

Coast, Water and Trails

Near Northland, the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve lies around 22 km off the east coast. Established in 1981, the reserve covers 2,410 hectares. Underwater, you can explore caves, arches, tunnels and steep cliffs. It can be reached by boat from Northland, with Tutukaka Marina as the main departure point. In the Bay of Islands, boat trips, sailing, snorkelling and kayaking adventures take centre stage.

The Mangawhai Cliffs Walkway offers a different perspective on the coast, with sweeping ocean views, pōhutukawa trees and a white-sand beach among its features. The trail is part of the Te Araroa Trail. To choose between experiences in nature and cultural sites like these, it’s worth first considering which themes you want to shape your trip.

History at Specific Places

The Waitangi Treaty Grounds are where Te Tiriti o Waitangi / the Treaty of Waitangi was first signed in 1840. They were New Zealand’s first national monument. Admission includes an informative 50-minute guided tour, a 30-minute Māori cultural experience, and entry to the Te Kōngahu Museum of Waitangi and the Te Rau Aroha Museum of the Price of Citizenship. Tours share stories about the people and events that have shaped New Zealand’s past, present and future.

At Pompallier Mission and Printery, history comes to life through hands-on craft. Several guides demonstrate the steps involved in 19th-century printing and bookbinding, from typesetting to tanning leather hides. The site is New Zealand’s only surviving pioneer printery and tannery. It illustrates how Bishop Pompallier and his missionaries helped introduce Catholicism through written works in te reo Māori. Kororipo Heritage Park and Māngungu Mission also tell the story of the country: Kororipo marks the first settlement where Māori and Pākehā—people of European descent—lived side by side. Māngungu Mission was the site of the largest signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the founding document of Aotearoa New Zealand. There are nine Tohu Whenua sites in Taitokerau Northland in total.

Routes for Different Travel Ideas

The Pou Herenga Tai Twin Coast Cycle Trail is New Zealand’s northernmost and only coast-to-coast Great Ride. It runs from the Bay of Islands in the east to Hokianga Harbour in the west. The Northland Journeys offer a complementary perspective, with a series of 50–150 km routes through Taitokerau Northland leading to sights, local favourites and other destinations. Other routes connect specific places: the Ancient Kauri Trail runs between Maungaturoto, Dargaville and Ōmāpere; Into the Wide Blue Yonder links Whangārei Falls, the Tutukākā Coast and Hikurangi. The Secret Coast Route runs between Russell and Helena Bay through Taitokerau Northland’s coastal landscapes.

Plan Your Accommodation Search

This lets you plan your trip around the places and activities that interest you most, rather than reducing Northland to a single type of excursion. Northland’s visitor information centres offer booking services and personal recommendations for activities, accommodation, attractions and travel bookings. This can be helpful if you’re still weighing up the different travel ideas.

Discover More Destinations

Far North District, Whangarei District, Kaipara District, Waipu, Matakohe, Cable Bay, Kaeo, Whangaruru, Kaikohe, Otaika, Matapouri, Rawhiti, Ruakaka, Lake Ohia, Awanui.

For the main travel overview: New Zealand.