The Best Guide to Visit the Kaipara Harbour

Today we want to share with you something special:

Discover Porto Kaipara, the largest port in the southern hemisphere and one of the largest in the world!

It stretches for 37 miles from north to south. Although it was once New Zealand's busiest port, carrying kauri wood and rubber, it is not commercially highly developed today. It remains a rural place where visitors can enjoy natural landscapes and outdoor activities.

Kaipara Harbor is on the west coast of Northland, the peninsula that runs north of Auckland. The Kaipara administrative district is entirely within Northland and stretches almost to the Hokianga port from the far north. The southern half of Port Kaipara lies within Auckland and is easily accessible from the city center. Therefore, the attractions of Kaipara can be enjoyed on a trip from Auckland or as part of a larger trip through Northland. It is a largely rural area with spectacular beaches and dunes, glittering lakes, rolling farmland, and vineyards, and offers a glimpse into life in the Kiwi countryside.

How to Get There

Getting to the Kaipara area and its surroundings is only really possible if you have your own vehicle. If you're dependent on public transportation, you can take a long-distance bus from Auckland to Brynderwyn (on the Intercity line from Auckland to Whangarei/Bay of Islands) and then another from Brynderwyn to Dargaville. However, this is slow and only a last resort option.

As you leave Auckland, instead of traveling on the busy State Highway (SH) 1 to the east coast of Northland, take SH16 through Henderson towards Helensville. The small town of Helensville is right at the southern end of Port Kaipara, 42 km from Auckland city center.

Alternatively, if you are heading to Kaipara Port from Whangarei City, take SH14 west to Dargaville (34 miles).

Things to See and Do

What you choose to see and do in the Kaipara area will largely depend on whether you are focusing on the more accessible southern parts of Auckland or the northern parts around Dargaville, which can be incorporated into a car trip to the north which includes the Hokianga port of Kaipara) and Whangarei.

Birdwatching: About half of the Kaipara harbor area comprises coastal marshes and sand plains, with the remainder being a mix of freshwater marshes, reeds, scrub, mangrove forests, seagrasses, and reeds, making it this ecosystem is unique. Important breeding ground for migratory waders and local birds. Godwits, andrais fairies, dotterels, and oystercatchers are just some of the many birds that can be seen in the harbor area.
Beaches: While Northland's east coast is best known for its white-sand beaches for swimming and surfing, as the west coast is much wilder and treacherous in places, the Kaipara district has some great options. The port of Kaipara itself is a huge swamp, but the coast that runs north of the Pouto Peninsula (the northern end of the port of Kaipara) is a remarkable 66 km stretch of sand, the Ripiro Beach. Bayly's Beach, west of Dargaville, is a section of this long beach popular with surfers.
Sculpture Gardens: Travelers who enjoy outdoor sculpture gardens are in luck at Kaipara Harbor as there are two very different experiences to choose from. Gibbs Farm is roughly halfway between Kaukapakapa and Wellsford on SH16 and is open by appointment only. It features famous artists such as Anish Kapoor, Andy Goldsworthy, Sol LeWitt, and Ralph Hotere. The Kaipara Coastline Sculpture Garden has walking paths through beautiful gardens and is located on the outskirts of Kaukapakapa. The sculptures on display are for sale and are changed every year in November.
Kaipara 2 Kaipara Walk: This 19-mile self-guided walking trail is classified as an easy/medium level hike that begins at Kaipara Flats in the south and ends at Glorit in the north. It is a one-way hike that takes three days to complete. Covers farmland, native forest in Mt. Auckland (Atuanui), salt marshes, coastal forests, and the Kaipara hills.
Cruises: Harbor and river cruises aboard the MV Kewpie also depart from Parakai, outside of Helensville, and offer different excursions. Day trips to Shelly Beach, South Head, or two-day cruises follow the ancient steam routes to Dargaville, stopping for the night in comfortable rooms.
Parakai Springs Hot Pools: While not quite as similar to the hot springs in Rotorua or Hanmer Springs, the naturally heated Parakai springs offer fun for the whole family if you're in the area. There are indoor and outdoor pools for you to enjoy all year round.

Mount Auckland Atuanui Walkay: The hike to the top of this 300-meter mountain passes through a regeneration of native forest that was once used for logging. The lookout point at the top offers great views of Kaipara Harbor and the Hoteo River estuary. It is best suited for experienced hikers as the trail is often bumpy and can be rugged and steep. The return trip takes about 3.5 hours. The mountain is located about 43 miles northeast of Auckland.
Omeru Pa Scenic Reserve: This scenic reserve has three beautiful waterfalls: Omeru Falls, Waitangi Falls, and Waitangi Creek Waterfall. There are also swimming pools and a barbecue area. It is north of Kaukapakapa.
Kauri Museum, Matakohe: Northland is known for its forests of Kauri trees, a native New Zealand species. Although the Kauri forests still exist in pockets, the area was once covered with millions of hectares of magnificent trees, which can live for thousands of years and grow up to 50 meters in height. Logging in the 19th century changed the natural and cultural landscape of Northland, and visitors can learn about this fascinating piece of local history at the Kauri Museum in Matakohe. Matakohe is located on the banks of the Arapaoa River, with many branches, on the north side of the port of Kaipara.
Pouto Lighthouse: At the southern tip of the Pouto Peninsula, the Pouto Lighthouse was built in 1884 to help ships navigate past the treacherous sandbar of Kaipara Harbor. It is no longer functional but can be seen on sand safaris from Dargaville or if you prefer to walk the four miles up the north shore from Kaipara harbor.
Kai Iwi Lakes: Northwest of Dargaville, the three beautiful Kai Iwi Lakes are a hot spot among locals in the summer. The shallow, clear waters, bordered by white sand, are ideal for children to swim and play. Lakes Taharoa (the largest), Kai Iwi and Waikere are natural lakes formed about 1.8 million years ago. Staying in the adjacent campground is the ideal way to enjoy the lakes.

Where to Stay

Kaipara is a rural area with only a few small towns. Dargaville is the largest city in the region, with only around 5,000 inhabitants. Camping is a good option for overnight trips around Kaipara, and the Kai Iwi Lakes are a particularly popular place to do so (book a spot in advance if you're traveling in the height of the summer season). Alternatively, motels and small boutique hotels / B & Bs can be found in the area, especially in Helensville and Dargaville.

What to Eat and Drink

The area south of Kaipara Harbor, between Helensville and Kumeu, is where many of the Auckland region's wineries are located. Visiting a winery (or two) for lunch or dinner is particularly convenient if you are exploring the southern part of the Kaipara area on a day or night trip from Auckland.

We hope you enjoy watching this video about Walking to Pouto Lighthouse, Kaipara, New Zealand

Source: GeoRick's Travels

Did you find this post useful or inspiring? Save THIS PIN to your Travel Board on Pinterest! 😊

Once again, thank you for visiting our website!

We hope you've enjoyed exploring the content we've created for you.

Give yourself the chance to learn, get inspired, and have even more fun, keep browsing...