Driving Route : DHL Lions Series - Ultimate Route

Featured Tourism Operators

Click to view featured operator Web site

Day 24 : Whangarei to Dargaville

Travel time is approximate only, based on an average driving speed under normal road conditions.

	Travel time	Km	(Miles)
Whangarei - Paihia	1 hr	71	44
Paihia - Kaikohe	0.75 hr	47	29
Kaikohe - Dargaville	1.75 hrs	140	88
Totals for Day	3.5 hrs	258	161

Whangarei - Paihia

71 km (44 miles)
Approximately 1 hour
Road Conditions: State Highway

Whangarei is a subtropical city on the edge of a beautiful harbour. At the Quayside Town Basin complex you'll find stylish cafes and restaurants, as well as museums, art galleries and shops. Be sure to visit Whangarei Falls.

A series of small settlements will lead you north. Just before Kawakawa, a side road runs to the glow-worm cave at Waiomio. Take a rest stop in Kawakawa, because it has a remarkable public toilet designed by Austrian artist Frederick Hundertwasser.

From here the road to the Bay of Islands becomes quite twisty, but you'll enjoy some delightful scenery along the way. A short detour takes you to the port of Opua, where cruise ships often call.

The resort town of Paihia makes an excellent base for exploring the Bay of Islands. Catch a cruise to the outer islands or a ferry to the charming township of Russell. The historic Treaty House at Waitangi marks the beginning of New Zealand as a nation.

Paihia - Kaikohe

47 km (29 miles)
Approximately 0.75 hour
Road Conditions: State Highway

Paihia makes an excellent base for exploring the Bay of Islands. Catch a cruise to the outer islands or a ferry to the charming township of Russell. The historic Treaty House at Waitangi marks the beginning of New Zealand as a nation.

Your journey to Kaikohe offers a choice of routes—via Kawakawa or via Haruru Falls. Kawakawa has a public toilet that simply begs to be seen. The very last building to be designed by Austrian artist Frederick Hundertwasser, it's a masterpiece of glass tiles and imagination. At Haruru you can walk to the falls, which tumble down in a perfect horseshoe.

On the road west you'll come across the town of Ohaeawai, memorable for its historic hotel. Just before Kaikohe, a sign on your left will point the way to Ngawha Springs, the most northern of New Zealand's geothermal sites.

Kaikohe is a well equipped town with everything a traveller could need. Local attractions include a pioneer village and farmstays.

Kaikohe - Dargaville

140 km (88 miles)
Approximately 1.75 hours
Road Conditions: State Highway

Kaikohe is a well equipped town with everything a traveller could need. Local attractions include a pioneer village and farmstays.

A half hour drive west will find you in the Hokianga region. Highlights of this area include the harbourside settlements of Rawene and Opononi. Historic sites, walking, sand dune surfing and craft shopping are the most popular visitor activities.

As you leave the Hokianga, you'll enter the awesome Waipoua Forest, home of New Zealand's largest kauri trees. On the other side of the forest, the Trounson Kauri Park is another opportunity for tree gazing.

Not far from Dargaville, a sign points the way to Kai Iwi Lakes. These beautiful sand dune lakes are popular for camping, swimming, fishing and kayaking. Nearby Bayly's Beach is a place to dig for shellfish (tua tua) and ride horses.

Dargaville is a perfect base for exploring the Kaipara Harbour, which offers fishing, quad biking, schooner trips and bird watching. The west coast beaches in this area form part of the longest driveable beach in New Zealand.