| The Aupouri Peninsula |
The beautiful Aupouri Peninsula is a sub-tropical
paradise in the Far North of New Zealand stretching north
from Awanui and Lake Ngatu.
Steeped in pioneering history and maori legend, home of the
giant swamp kauri and treasured kauri gum. Experience our
unspoiled beaches to swim, snorkel and gather shellfish, take
time out to enjoy some of the best fishing waters in the world.
The friendly local hospitality will assure your stay in the
real Far North as something special.
The magnificent white sand beaches of the east coast and
Ninety Mile Beach on the west coast are easily accessible
from Lakeside.
Take an adventurous journey along famous Ninety Mile Beach.
Visit legendary Cape Reinga (an easy one hour drive) where
the restless Pacific Ocean collides in foaming anger with
the Tasman Sea and see the lonely Pohutukawa tree from where,
in maori legend, the spirits depart this world.
Or simply take a boat or kayak out on Lake
Ngatu - just across from Lakeside - or take the
bush walk or bicycle or horse ride around the lake.
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| Activities nearby |
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Ninety Mile Beach and Cape Reinga:
Ninety Mile Beach is best visited by specialist 4x4 Landcruisers
or buses with knowledgeable driver-guides. Frequent stops
are made throughout the full day Safari Tour of the Aupouri
Peninsula - desert brown sands of Ninety Mile Beach, cliff
faces drenched in wild surf, the pure white sands of Great
Exhibition Bay, the magnificent pine forests with their herds
of wild horses and awesome Cape Reinga. Pick-up and drop-off
at Lakeside.
Paradise
Connexion Ph: 09 408 7202
Sand
Safaris Ph: 09 408 1778 |
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Gumdiggers
Park Ph: 09 406 7166
Discover the history of the Far North and the gum digging revolution
that shaped the landscape, the people and the local industries
of our past as well as our modern day lives. View the maze of
giant gum holes that reveal extraordinary kauri trees from prehistoric
times and explore the mystery that caused the destruction of
these ancient forests. Situated 15 kms. north of Lakeside,
four minutes drive off State Highway 1. |
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Ancient
Kauri Kingdom Ph: 09 406 7172
Located a few kilometres south of Lakeside on State
Highway 1 at Awanui, Ancient Kauri Kingdom displays hand-crafted
furniture, art, crafts and gifts from the oldest workable timber
in the world. See the amazing centrepiece in the shop - a staircase
carved within a 140 ton log. Independent radiocarbon dating
confirms that this tree had lain in a swamp for 45,000 - 50,000
years. |
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Kaitaia
Golf Club Ph: 09 409 4833
Kaitaia Golf Course is situated 30 kilometres from Lakeside
at Ahipara, at the bottom of Ninety Mile Beach. This is
an 18 hole all-weather links course, one of the best in New
Zealand, with undulating fairways and excellent greens. The
course runs parallel to the beach with magnificent views looking
out over the Tasman Sea and the enormous sand dunes at Reef
Point. |
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Walking and Horse trekking
There are many excellent walks, long or short, easy
or arduous, within a short distance of Lakeside
and we can give you all the necessary information or arrange
a guide or horse riding. Here are some of the best known:
- Lake Ngatu Track - an easy four kilometre, one hour walk
around the edge of the dune lake that can begin and end
at Lakeside
- Sweetwater
Lakes Walkway - this path goes around Lake Ngatu and
down to Sandhills Road via Lake Heather and Lake Rotoroa.
The walk is approximately 10km in length and takes approx.
2 hours to walk.
- Cape Reinga Coastal Walkway (Kapowairua at Spirits Bay
to Cape Reinga - difficult - 3 stages - eight hours one
way)
- Cape Reinga Lighthouse from the car park (easy - 20 minutes
return)
- Cape Reinga Coastal Walk (Cape Reinga to Te Paki Stream
- difficult - eight hours one way)
- Te Wehari Gate to Te Wehari Beach at Spirits Bay (moderate
- two hours return)
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Fishing and kayaking
Cape
Reinga Adventures Ph: 09 409 8445
Based on the Parengarenga Harbour, 70 kms. north of Lakeside,
they offer the opportunity of surf casting (beach fishing
and rock fishing), deep-water and game fishing and kayaking
to secluded fishing spots - fishing for snapper, trevally,
kahawai, kingfish and shark.
Te Wairoa Ph: 09 409 8884
Enjoy fishing from Pukenui wharf in fully equipped, safe boats.
Catch some of the many species found in Great Exhibition Bay.
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WildCat
Fishing Charters Ph: 09 409 4729
Based in Ahipara,30 kilometres south of Lakeside at
the southern end of Ninety Mile Beach, they offer Big Game
Fishing full-day charters for novices or hard-core fishermen.
WildCat 1 is an eight metre aluminium catamaran powered
by a 200 HP outboard and cruises at 18-20 knots. The fishing
grounds off Ahipara are relatively untapped and offer some
of the most exciting nonstop action in the country. All fishing
gear is supplied or you can take your own rod and reel. For
the keen-eyed, there are dolphin and killer whales to be seen
and occasionally sperm whales. |
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| Tuatua
Tours Ph: 09 409 4875
Quad Biking is a popular adventure activity in the west coast
sand dunes and gumfields at Ahipara, 30 kilometres south of
Lakeside at the southern end of Ninety Mile Beach. |
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Okahu
Estate Vineyard & Winery Ph: 09 408 2066
One of New Zealand's most northerly vineyards and wineries.
The winery is situated a few kilometres south of Lakeside
on the road from Kaitaia to Ahipara at the southern end
of Ninety Mile Beach. The first vines were established in 1984
by vineyard owner Monty Knight. Since then the label has earned
a reputation for consistent quality, winning numerous awards
including a number of gold medals. |
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| Further afield |
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A
to Z Diving Ph/Fax: 09 408 3336
Diving and snorkelling in Doubtless Bay is superb and under-rated.
The local skippers know the top spots and can take you to them.
Collect mussels, scallops and, of course, crayfish.
A to Z Diving based at Whatuwhiwhi on the Karikari Peninsular
is the place to go for all your diving needs - scuba training,
gear hire, trips, etc. |
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Carrington
Club and Karikari Estate Winery
Ph: 09 408 7222
This world-class golf resort is located on the Karikari peninsula
(40 kms. from Lakeside) and rests between a private
four kilometre white sand beach and the 65 acre mountainside
vineyards of the winery. The club's facilities include an 18
hole golf course, dining & lounge facilities, library, tennis
courts, swimming pool, billiard room and pro shop. |
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Butler
Point Whaling Museum Ph/Fax: 09 406 0006
Butler Point is a privately owned 26 hectare property at Hihi
- just across the harbour from Mangonui and 50 kms. east of
Lakeside.. Over the last three decades the proprietors
have developed the property into a macadamia orchard and one
of the Far North's most fascinating heritage tourism destinations.
Butler House dates back to the 1840s and is furnished in early
Colonial and Victorian styles. The Whaling Museum displays a
full range of authentic harpoons and a fully equipped whaleboat
as used from the whaling ships. |
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Pick up a map from Doubtless
Bay Information Centre Ph/Fax: +64 (0)9 406 2046
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Mangonui
Heritage Trail
Beginning and ending at the Mangonui courthouse, the Mangonui
Heritage Trail provides a glimpse of the great wealth of Maori
and European history associated with this area.
The Trail is three kilometres in length and accessible by
foot or vehicle. The average time taken to walk the trail
is one and a half hours. Walkers are advised to take the St.
Andrew's walkway up to the church and enjoy the spectacular
views from above Mangonui's waterfront. And you can always
break off for an eponymous meal at the world-famous Mangonui
Fish & Chip Shop.
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Matthews
Vintage Collection Ph: 09 406 0939
Located a few kilometres west of Taipa, off State Highway 10,
experience a unique opportunity to view a privately-owned collection
of vintage cars and machinery used in farming dating back to
the early 1900’s. Accumulated and restored by an avid
vintage enthusiast over the last 40 years, covering over 1100
square metres of display area. There is a wide range of tractors,
stationary engines, vintage cars and pioneer farm and domestic
equipment. |
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Visit the Hokianga About
80 kilometres south of Lakeside, the Hokianga can
be visited on a circular route. Take the highway south from
Ahipara to Kohukohu and then the car ferry across the harbour
to Rawene and historic Clendon House.
You can view the huge sand dunes at the mouth of the harbour
on your way to the large Waipoua Kauri Forest reserve with
the giant Tane Mahuta (Lord of the Forest) and Te Matua Ngahere
(Father of the Forest).
Returning along the south Hokianga, you can visit the Wairere
Boulders and the beautifully-sited Mangungu Mission House.
Then take State Highway 1 back through the Mangamuka Gorge. |
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