Top Things to Do in Northland

With so many incredible sights and experiences spread across Te Tai Tokerau – Northland, it can feel impossible to know where to start. From ancient forests and sacred headlands to golden sand dunes and rich cultural heritage, this region offers something for every traveller. To make it easier, we’ve gathered five favourites that stand out time and again — the ones visitors rave about and rightfully so.

1. Cape Rēinga Lighthouse & Te Rerenga Wairua

The northernmost point of Aotearoa – New Zealand, Cape Rēinga / Te Rerenga Wairua is both a spiritual and scenic icon. Here the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean meet and Māori tradition holds that spirits depart from this headland to journey back to Hawaiki, their ancestral homeland.

Visitor info:

• 📍 Location: Far north of Aupōuri Peninsula, about 2.5 hrs drive from Kaitaia
• 🚗 Parking: Free carpark with toilets at the trailhead
• 🚶 Walk: Easy 10–15 min sealed path to the lighthouse (suitable for most fitness levels)
• ⏰ Time to spend: 30–60 mins is plenty for the walk, views and photos
• ⚠️ Respect: The site is tapu (sacred) — avoid eating or drinking on the grounds

👉 For the full story, history and spiritual meaning, check out our guide: [Cape Rēinga & Te Rerenga Wairua – Journey to the Far North]

2. Ninety Mile Beach & Te Paki Giant Sand Dunes

This legendary coastline — Te Oneroa-a-Tōhē — stretches almost endlessly along Northland’s west coast. It’s a place of both cultural significance and adventure, where you can walk the sands, surfcast or join a guided bus tour that drives the beach itself. Just inland, the Te Paki Giant Sand Dunes create a natural playground for sandboarding and sledding.

Visitor info:

• 📍 Location: Western edge of Aupōuri Peninsula, near Cape Rēinga
• 🚗 Access: Easiest via guided bus tours (self-driving not recommended due to tides and soft sand)
• 🏄 Activities: Surfcasting, beach walks, bus tours, sandboarding at Te Paki Dunes
• ⏰ Time to spend: Half a day for dunes + beach; full-day if combined with Cape Rēinga
• ⚠️ Tip: Hire boards at the base of the dunes — bring water, sunscreen and energy for the climb

👉 Want the full story and more tips? Read our blog: [Cape Rēinga & 90 Mile Beach – Journey to the Far North]

3. Waipoua Forest & Tāne Mahuta

Step into the ancient world of Waipoua Forest, home to towering kauri trees and rich native bush. The highlight is Tāne Mahuta — the “Lord of the Forest” — a colossal kauri believed to be over 2,000 years old. Standing beneath its massive trunk is a humbling, unforgettable experience.

Visitor info:

• 📍 Location: State Highway 12, between Dargaville and Omapere
• 🚗 Parking: Free carpark at the trail entrance
• 🚶 Walk: Easy 5–10 min stroll on a boardwalk to Tāne Mahuta
• 🌿 Other tracks: Yakas Kauri, Four Sisters and other short walks in the Waipoua Forest
• ⚠️ Tip: Use cleaning stations at track entrances — kauri dieback disease is a major threat

👉 Learn more about the forest’s significance in our blog: [Kauri Forests of Northland – Meeting Tāne Mahuta]

4. Waitangi Treaty Grounds

Step onto Aotearoa – New Zealand’s most important historic site, where Māori chiefs and the British Crown first signed the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. Visitors can explore the award-winning museum, join a guided tour and enjoy cultural performances that bring history to life on these sacred grounds.

Visitor info:

• 📍 Location: Just north of Paihia, Bay of Islands
• 🎟️ Entry: Paid admission (includes museum, guided tour and cultural performance)
• ⏰ Time to spend: Allow 2–3 hours to explore fully
• 🏛️ Highlights: Te Kōngahu Museum, carved meeting house, Treaty House, waka taua (ceremonial war canoe)
• ⚠️ Tip: Check tour times when booking to make the most of your visit

👉 Dive deeper into history in our blog: [Waitangi Treaty Grounds – The Birthplace of Aotearoa]

5. Kerikeri Stone Store & Mission House

Kerikeri Stone Store & Mission House

Step back into the early 1800s with a visit to two of the oldest surviving buildings in Aotearoa – New Zealand. The Stone Store and Mission House (Kemp House) sit on a peaceful riverbank, surrounded by heritage gardens and displays. Explore the historic precinct, browse artisan shops and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of Kerikeri Basin.

Visitor info:

• 📍 Location: Kerikeri Basin, Bay of Islands
• 🎟️ Entry: Free to wander outside; guided tours available for inside access
• ⏰ Time to spend: 1–2 hours to explore buildings, gardens and shops
• 🌿 Nearby: Rainbow Falls and Kerikeri town centre for more heritage and food spots

6. Scenic Flight + Cape Rēinga Half-Day Tour

Combine the raw beauty of Cape Rēinga with the thrill of flight on this scenic half-day tour out of Kerikeri / the Bay of Islands. Soar over rugged coastline and remote beaches, then land at one of Aotearoa’s most sacred headlands — Te Rerenga Wairua, where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific.

Visitor info:

• 📍 Departure point: Kerikeri (or nearby Bay of Islands)
• ✈️ What’s included: Scenic flight portion, guiding, transport to Cape Rēinga and time at the lighthouse/headland
• ⏰ Duration: Half-day (approx. 4-6 hours, depending on weather and itinerary)
• ⚠️ Tip: Book ahead and check weather/flight schedule; flights often depend on clear conditions

👉 For the full Cape Rēinga experience — including spiritual meaning, best times to visit and tips for getting there — check out our guide: [Cape Rēinga & Te Rerenga Wairua – Full Guide]

7. Fishing in Northland

Northland is a fisherman’s paradise, offering everything from surfcasting off remote beaches to world-class game fishing charters in the Bay of Islands. Whether you’re chasing snapper, kingfish or even marlin, the waters here are teeming with life — making it one of the best places in Aotearoa – New Zealand to cast a line.

Visitor info:

• 📍 Charter bases:
  • Paihia & Russell – Bay of Islands (e.g. Target Charters, Days Out Fishing, Big Fish Bay of Islands, May Marie Charters)
  • Doubtless Bay – Far North (Doubtless Bay Charters)
  • Tutukākā Coast – known for both fishing and diving departures
• 🐟 Catch: Snapper, kingfish, hapuku, tuna and seasonal marlin
• 🎣 Options: Private or shared charters, half-day, full-day or multi-day trips
• ⚠️ Tip: Book ahead in peak summer months and check if gear is provided