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| Home | About Doubtless Bay Lodge | Maps | Things to do | Make a booking | Links |
| THINGS
TO DO FROM DOUBTLESS BAY LODGE |
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| Maori legend tells us that Kupe, the great Polynesian navigator, made his first landing near Taipa in A.D. 950. In 1769, Captain James Cook sailed past the entrance and recorded in his journal - Doubtless a Bay. From 1831, European whalers, timber workers and immigrants arrived here. |
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Historic Mangonui village is situated on the edge of Mangonui harbour. Once a bustling whaling and trading port, many of the historic buildings today house restaurants, cafes, post office and gift shops. Fine dining is available at the The Acorn Bistro, Thai Chef's and Waterfront Cafe. The famous Mangonui Fish Shop offers some of the best fish and chips in the country. |
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| Around the corner from Mangonui harbour is Mill Bay, an artist's dream with its backdrop of the dominating Rangikapiti Pa, its yachts and boats of all kinds. At Coopers Beach there is a shopping centre with shops of all kinds, including take-away food, plus a medical centre and pharmacy. |  |
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| There are many attractions and activities in, or within a short drive of, Coopers Beach. Here are just a few | ||
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Karikari Peninsula This is the playground for those who just love beaches and is perfect for young families or fishermen. Starting just 18 kilometres west of Coopers Beach, each beach or bay has its own distinct personality and special character. |
These vary from sheltered bays with fine white sand, such as Matai Bay, to rugged rocky coastline with pounding surf. Relax and soak up the sun in this subtropical paradise. |
| Hokianga Harbour Located about 100 kilometres south west of Coopers Beach, this historic harbour is the jewel of New Zealand's northwest coast and the place from where most of Northland's Maori trace their ancestry. |
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Ride on the car ferry across the narrows, visit historic Clendon House, Mangungu Mission Station and Wairere Boulders and marvel at the huge sand dunes and the giant Kauri trees of the Waipoua Forest. |
| Carrington
Resort and Karikari Estate Vineyard & Winery This world class golf resort is located on the Karikari peninsula 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, & pro shop. |
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Butler
Point |
Butler
Point Whaling Museum Butler Point is a privately owned 26 hectare property at Hihi - just across the harbour from Mangonui. 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 whale ships. |
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Vintage Collection 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. |
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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. |
| Paradise Connexion to Ninety Mile Beach and Cape Reinga Take a trip to Cape Reinga via a drive up Ninety Mile Beach in comfortable, late model, air-conditioned coaches or 4x4 Toyota Landcruisers. |
Frequent stops are made throughout the full day Safari Tour of the Aupouri Peninsula - an area of many contrasts from desert brown sands of Ninety Mile Beach, cliff faces drenched in wild surf to the pure white sands of Great Exhibition Bay and rolling farm land of the interior. |
Ph: 09 406 0460 |
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Kauri Kingdom Located 30 kilometres west of Coopers Beach on State Highway 1 at Awanui, the Ancient Kauri Kingdom displays hand-crafted furniture, art, crafts and gifts from the oldest workable timber in the world. |
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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. |
| Potteries |
Shepherd Road Pottery Fern Flat Pottery |
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Okahu
Estate Vineyard & Winery |
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. |
| Sailing Enjoy sailing the beautiful Northland coast and harbours from Mill Bay at Mangonui on the 44-foot Hinemoana II. Laze around in idyllic bays or learn sailing skills, swim, snorkel and explore. |
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Mill
Bay Haven Sailing Charters |
| Gumdiggers
Park 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 45 kilometres northwest of Coopers Beach, off State Highway 1, Gumdiggers Park is a four minute detour off the main route to Cape Reinga. |
Ph: 09 406 7166 |
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Whangaroa Harbour |
Sea Fever Cruises Whangaroa Golf Club: |
| 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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Pick up a map from
Doubtless Bay Information Centre |
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Swamp Palace Cinema Visit the Swamp Palace, the tiny cinema of some 68 seats, which shows up to date movies four nights a week, plus matinees. |
Only the "better" movies are shown, with no advertisements, a converted building hauled inland from Cable Bay to Oruru, about 10 kilometres south of Taipa. |
| WildCat
Fishing Charters |
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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. |
| Fishing |
Lady Di Charters Ph: 09 408 7448 Top Enz Fishing
Charters Pisces Charters Ph: 09 406 1234 |
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| Kayaking
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Kiwa Kayaking |
Karikari Kayaking Ph: 09 408 7575 |
| Tuatua
Tours |
 Ph: 09 409 4875 |
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      Here are details of historic places to visit in Northland |
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 Here are details of major walkways in Northland |
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| © Doubtless Bay Lodge 2005 - |
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