Top Tourist Attractions – Mangawhai – A Must See

If you are looking for a place to get away from it all, then look no further than Mangawhai. For many years, this little-known Northland coastal retreat has been home to families, artists and craftspeople that moved here for a quiet, relaxing way of life. Today Mangawhai is no longer a secret. Fast becoming a popular holiday destination, Mangawhai is the perfect place for that quintessential, beachside break.

When you visit Mangawhai, you don’t just get one, you get two! Mangawhai Heads and Mangawhai Village are linked by a causeway that crosses the Mangawhai harbour. This picturesque harbour is surrounded by sand dunes on one side and spectacular wetlands, bush and pohutukawa trees on the other.

Steeped in history, Mangawhai harbour has always played a central role in this community from early Maori settlements through to settlers using the harbour for shipbuilding, kauri milling and farming. Today, the harbour is a recreational haven for swimming, boating, kayaking, jet skiing, windsurfing and fishing.

Paddling to the sand dunes is a must. You can hire a kayak from Mangawhai Kayak Hire or take one of their guided kayak tours and enjoy the rich marine and bird life along the way.

With world class fishing and diving off-shore and around the nearby Hen and Chicken and Mokohinau Islands, this is a great place for boaties. If you don’t have a boat, then local charters, RnR or Mangawhai Charters, know all the best diving and fishing spots.

Mangawhai is a beach bum’s paradise with 5 stunning beaches within close range; Mangawhai Heads, Te Arai, Waipu, Langs and Pakiri. Mangawhai Heads Beach is 6 kilometres of golden sand beach and crystal blue water. Famous for its consistent regular surf, Mangawhai Heads attracts surfers from all over New Zealand. The Mangawhai Surf Life Saving Club not only patrols the beach during summer but also runs a summertime programme of beach and family-oriented activities starting with the Mangawhai Carnival. Held annually on January 2nd, this popular carnival features food and arts and crafts stalls, sideshows and loads of entertainment. The local Mangawhai Tavern also gets in the act with live gigs from many of NZ’s top bands.

One way to experience the real magic of Mangawhai is by foot. The Mangawhai Walk is a beach and cliff-top walkway through farmland and native bush with spectacular sea views right down to the Hauraki Gulf, Mokohinau and Great and Little Barrier Islands. In fact there are so many bush and sea walks, that Mangawhai holds an annual Walking Weekend attracting hundreds of walkers and hikers.

Foodies are also well catered for. The tepid climate of the ‘winterless’ north means Mangawhai has perfect growing conditions for fresh local produce, succulent avocados, delectable olives and award winning olive oils from Echo Valley Olives and Te Arai Olive Estate and delicious wines from Lochiel Estate Vineyard. There’s a weekly organic farmers market plus a smorgasbord of cafes at both Mangawhai Heads and the Village. A visit to Bennetts of Mangawhai is a must for their “to die for” handcrafted chocolates, made from the finest ingredients and pure chocolate.

And finally last but by no means least, Mangawhai is home to a thriving arts community of more than 40 artists, potters, sculptors and weavers. You can view their work at Bennetts and Smash Pipi Gallery and Cafe or take the Mangawhai Art Trail and see the artists at work in their studios.

Mangawhai; a quiet coastal retreat to get away from it all but so rich in life’s pleasures, you’ll never get bored. So make sure you visit Mangawhai soon.