Activities

Suggested itinerary (from Auckland)

The drive to Waima Lodge Luxury Inn from Auckland will take 3.5 hours directly however you should allow an hour or two extra for stops, Drive North on State Highway 1 to Brynderwyn where you turn left. Follow the Twin Coast Discovery Route signs on Highway 12 to Dargaville and Waipoua Forest. As you drive westward take a left turn at Matakohe. The Kauri Museum there is a world class and unique museum featuring excellent historic exhibits from the pioneer days of the kauri timber industry.

click on image for larger map

Next, now that you better understand the context and the importance of the kauri tree to Northland, your route through Dargaville takes you close to the Wairoa River where you need to turn right. Slow down and stop as you take the right turn at the Dargaville, Waipoua road junction, Rick Taylor at The Wood Turners Studio is worth taking some time to visit.

As you make your way north with your newly acquired kauri artifact from Rick’s beautifully handcrafted selection of kauri wood art, you enter the Kauri Coast region and the Waipoua State Forest, home to Tane Mahuta, an ancient kauri tree, the largest of rainforest trees in the world. A pilgrimage to this New Zealand icon is a must as are of course, the other giant kauri trees in the park. After the Forest, Morrells Cafe & craft gallery at Waimamaku is a good place for a coffee break. The food and local crafts are excellent.

The next point of interest is the spectacular view from the rest area at the crest of the hill above Omapere. This is one of the world’s great vistas, looking north over the Hokianga Harbour toward the Punguru Range. Make a mental note to spend some time in the Opononi area and harbour environs once you have checked in with Julie and Harmen at Waima Lodge.

A further 25 km. past Opononi, Waima Lodge Guesthouse is located beside State Highway 12 on your left, look out for two huge phoenix palms as you drive eastward across the valley. The Tuhirangi Marae and Waima School, which are directly opposite Waima lodge, are nestled at the base of the sacred, native forest covered slopes of the Waima Ranges. This ancient rainforest covers the entire range of high country between Waima and the Waipoua forest through which you have traveled. These mountains are the highest point of Northland at 780 meters and they dominate the scene as you enter the Waima river valley. The forest park is accessible through a series of tramping tracks suitable for experienced trampers with a good level of fitness and experience. The great attraction of this region is the unique flora & fauna with plants such as the Waima Coprosma, which have only recently been discovered, and rare native birds such as the Kokako and Brown Kiwi.
The Waima & Waipoua forest is the last untouched remnant of the great forest that once covered the entire country north of Auckland!
Home to a subtribe of the Ngapuhi who call themselves Mahurehure, the people of Waima have occupied the fertile Waima river valley since its discovery by Kupe the great Polynesian navigator over one thousand, two hundred years ago.

Maori history and culture live in the stories of the descendants of Kupe. The oral traditions are retained as a treasure or taonga of the inhabitants of Hokianga.
Keeping these traditions alive are award winning, world class, tour operators;

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FOOTPRINTS WAIPOUA

A guided encounter of the Waipoua Forest, past, ancient and primordial.

“The spiritual environment of the Waipoua Forest provides a natural stage for an unforgettable encounter with some of the largest remaining kauri trees in the world.

Step into our world and our local guides will take you on a memorable journey through nature’s stages of evolution whilst providing a mythological interpretation of life in the forest.

Meet our ancestors; the mighty Tane Matua Ngahere, the Father of the Forest.  Estimated to be 4,000 years old his mighty girth is over 5 metres in diameter.  The Four Sisters are a graceful collection of kauri trees that have grown close together in sibling harmony and finally, Tane Mahuta, the Lord of the Forest, stands an impressive 51 metres tall.

Join with us for an intimate encounter to learn how these trees are inter-twined with the lives of local Maori and the important role they play in the eco-system that is the Waipoua Forest.

CROSSINGS HOKIANGA

Guided tours on the Hokianga Harbour, historic by nature.

“The Hokianga harbour is generally accepted as the residential place of Kupe the very first voyager, and Maori, to discover New Zealand over 1,000 years ago.  Kupe and his followers settled in the harbour with its protected waters and abundance of food.  Later some of the earliest European settlers came to the Hokianga and small communities were formed on the harbour’s edge.

This beautiful environment is rich in history and spectacular scenery.  From the vast kauri forests to giant sand dunes, the landscape is home to small communities and ancient sites of significant interest.  It is a place that is as important today to modern Maori as it was to their ancestors all those years ago.

Come with us to discover the natural beauty of the Hokianga harbour and share thousands of years of history through our stories.”

Waima Lodge, in conjunction with Footprints Waipoua and Crossings Hokianga, proudly present accommodation and activity packages to visitors and guests.

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Wairere Boulders.

Among the excellent diversity of activities and attractions in close proximity to  Waima Lodge are the Wairere boulders, a 20 minute drive deep in the heart of the Hokianga head waters. Wairere boulders feature breathtaking geological features in a canyon of giant basalt boulders. The paths through this natural phenomenon are well maintained and are suitable for all ages and levels of fitness with a new delight for the senses around every corner. Entry is by honesty box for a fee of $10.00 which goes toward the upkeep of this extraordinary Hokianga treasure.

Hokianga Art Trail

RAWENE

BOATSHED CAFE’& CRAFTS / 8 CLENDON ESPLANADE
Boatshed Café

8 Clendon Esplanade • Rawene • Hokianga •
09 405 7728 boatshed@igrin.co.nz
Enjoy freshly prepared food using local organic produce and herbs with a quality Northland wine or an excellent espresso in a beautiful harbour setting. Sit on the covered verandah over the water - fresh salads & baking, complement fascinating & diverse local artwork.

Open daily 8.30am-4.30pm. Phone & Fax. 09 4057 728

 
JANS FERRY TOWN / OLD FIRE STATION, PARNELL STREET

Community craft making comes together to create a colourful shop where everyone is welcome.
Open 7 days
Phone 09 4057 860         
Email. jamz@kol.co.nz

OUTPOST HOKIANGA / 5 PARNELL STREET

Outpost stirs Art, Fashion, Books & the  finest of  foods to give  you an extraordinary taste of the remote .
Summer time; open most days.
Next to the Rawene Town hall & opposite the Hokianga Takeaways.
Phone 09 4057 423     

For more information visit: www.outposthokianga.com >>

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OMANAIA

JILL REILLY / HOKIANGA STAINED GLASS

A treasure trove  of all that tinkles and twinkles.
Glass, Chimes and Jewellery.  Please ring ahead.
Ohuri Road, Omanaia
Phone 09 4057 816
OMAPERE

 
JAN BARRATT / KORARI RETREAT

Weaving in NZ fibre, paper and glass.
Self/contained accommodation & studio.
Please contact to arrange viewing
279 State Highway 12, Omapere
Phone.  09 4058 662         Mobile. 021 02366424
OPONONI

CHRISTINE BUTLER / THE PAUA HEART ROOM

Works in Paint, Glass, Photography and Jewellery.
Open by appointment.
Main Road  SH12, Opononi
Phone  09 4058 259                Email xtine@ihug.co.nz
P.O. Box 105 Opononi

 
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WEKEWEKA VALLEY

 KATE HARBUTT / WEAVER

Traditional  & contemporary  weaving of  Aotearoa.
Visit the studio or spend the day learning to weave.
Ring ahead.
Phone 094054 579          Email  kateharbutt@clear.net.nz
Wekaweka Valley

 
WAIOTEMARAMA

 ALLAN GALE

Sculptor, printmaker and cast glass.
By appointment.
251 Pine Hill Road
Mobile 021 078 91 98

PIPI RUTHERFORD / KAURI CARVER

Under giant kauri trees by the Waiotearama Waterfalls Pipi carves salvaged Kauri and other native woods. Lessons and demos can be arranged. Please phone ahead.
Phone. 09 4054 857           Email. pipi.rutherford@xtra.co.nz

LABYRINTH   WOODWORKS & MAZE

Great, affordable local arts, crafts and puzzles, loads of fun, try some of the 100s of puzzles, solve the maze. Next to bushwalks - bring a picnic.
Summer time open 9 -5.
647 Waiotemarama Gorge Road,
Off SH 12, South Hokianga,
Phone 09 4054 581,  Email:amazelou@igrin.co.nz

For more information visit: www.nzanity.co.nz >>

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WAIMAMAKU

MORRELL’S CAFE, CRAFTS & GIFTS

We have the art, great coffee and tasty food to feed the heart and soul of the Hokianga.
Summertime open 9 -4 pm everyday
7235 State Highway 12
Phone 09 4054545.

EMERE NGAKURU / WEAVER

I come from a background of traditional maori weaving and enjoy using that knowledge to explore new medium and resources as a way of expressing my culture. Toi Iho registered artist.

Phone. 09 4054 616.  Mobile. 0211747310

Email. waka-whenua@xnet.co.nz

 
WILL NGAKURU / MAORI CARVER & SCULPTOR

Tena Koe
My name is Will Ngakuru. I am a Maori Carver/Sculptor working in Wood, Stone, Bone and Glass. My other passions are my kids, earth building, Waka & local history. Toi Iho registered artist.
I live and work in Waimamaku and am available for visits by appointment.

Phone. 09 4054 616.  Mobile. 0211747310   Email. waka-whenua@xnet.co.nz
Activities

Outdoor

Okopako The Wilderness Farm

140 Mountain Rd. Horse riding Accommodation.
Ph. Fax 09 4058 815  email:  okopako@paradise.net.nz

Historic

Historic Clendon House, Rawene.

Open 1st November to 30th April Saturday to Monday. 10 am – 4 pm. Ph. 405 7874.

Historic Mangungu Mission House, Horeke.

Open Feb to Dec Sat/ Sun pm. Dec 26- Jan 31 Daily pm Ph. 401 9640.

Hokianga Museum

Above i-Site Omapere. Hokianga’s past events and people.
Open 7 days, Ph. 405 8869

For more information visit: www.hokiangatourism.org.nz

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