Matai Bay is an epic beach AND DOC campground. People can’t believe how beautiful and perfect the turquoise water and white, white sand is. The water clarity is so good it’s well worth taking a snorkel, sometimes you even see stingrays basking in the sunshine!

Baylys has a bit of something for everyone - paddle in the white water, surf the big waves, drive on the beach, do some net fishing or scramble up the sandy canyons. The beach is massive so you’re bound to find your own private spot somewhere. Just be careful in the water as there’s a strong undertow and life guards can’t patrol the whole beach.

There’s something really special about sleeping at the very tip of NZ. The journey through the Far North is spectacular in itself, then once you get there it’s so still and peaceful. You can be the only person there if you visit in the off season. With no shops for miles or any sign of civilisation it’s a very precious place.

Here you get the best of both worlds. You camp an easy 5 minutes stroll from the beach and the same distance to lush native forests. When there’s swell this place gets a pretty decent surf break too. So bring the boards and enjoy the tranquil nature this place has to offer.

The massive pohutukawa trees provide ideal shade for the perfect camping posi. This is a lovely relaxing campsite with decent facilities and heaps to do. I love doing the nearby walking tracks and checking out some of the gorgeous little beaches that are hidden away.

This is an awesome abode for any of you seeking a place to enjoy classic pub meals, good drink and a yarn with ya mates. It used to be Whangarei’s old courthouse many years ago and it still holds that old feel to this day. I recommend the steak and egg’s meal with an ice cold lager while watching the footy!

Smack bang in the middle of Hukerenui lies the Hukerenui Hotel. I remember coming here with my grandfather to watch rugby games as a child. Every time I come here it’s like stepping back in time! With crusty characters, classic service and that old school vibe to the joint, ordering a meal and sinking a brew is hard to resist. The Hotel was installed backwards, so the front is actually facing the wrong way!

If your heading out to Whangarei Heads then stopping in here is a given. It’s so good to sit out back and enjoy the epic view with a rustic pizza and beverage. You wouldn’t believe it but the place is over 100 years old! The recent renovation has done wonders. I love coming here to watch the cricket during the summer, shoot some pool with my buddies and have a good old feed. I recommend the seafood chowder!

Stopping in here for a brew or to watch the rugby with the locals is something I always find time for when heading out this neck of the woods. It’s a little rough around the edges and that’s why I like it! I always get great hunting advice from the guy’s that frequent the area. The owners are awesome and they serve a mean roast - make sure you get gravy too!

If a classic Kiwi Pub is defined by amazing kiwi characters, service and seaside views then The Opononi Hotel is the golden standard! They’re often home to epic kiwi bands during the summer. I’m always keeping an eye out for anything going on at this joint as it never fails to entertain! Pro tip on coming here is to order the fish burger - AMAZING!

The beautiful waterfall located on the outskirts of Tikipunga has it all. A beautiful view from the lookout at the top reveals a spectacular swimming hole down the bottom which seems so much higher than 26 meters. I’ve even seen people jumping in from the top! If jumping from tremendous heights isn’t your cup of tea there are two equally wonderful bush tracks that lead to the bottom. I love picnics at the bottom on a warm summers day - PERFECT!

A personal favorite within Bream Head Scenic Reserve’s many tracks and trails. It takes about 3 hours return and has a beautifully placed DOC hut at the end. Don’t let the tracks beauty distract you! It is tougher than your average walk with a fair few stairs and tree rooty ridges, but should be no problem for the seasoned hiker. It’s great because you can choose to hike and return, stay for the night, or take the extended tracks all the way through Ocean Beach!

Now this place can only be described as epic. 7 tracks link a vast, distinctive, rugged landmark covering 3,000 hectares of forest, some kauri. The tracks range anywhere from an hour to 4 hours, it’s really what you make it! My friends and I spent the entire day here hiking to the giant trig in the center of it all and back - such an experience. I recommend packing a lunch and bringing plenty of water for this one!

This is a hidden gem! Ask anyone in town about waterfalls or swimming holes and I guarantee talk of Charlie’s Rock will follow! So perfect for lounging about on the warm rocks between dips. It’s a small walk from the car park and not well sign posted either, but that adds to the wonder of the place. On the walk in you get to cross some real lovely meadows too. It’s such a treat to see the look on new comers faces when you introduce them to this treasure!

Weather you fancy yourself a bit of a hiker or not, this track is suitable for most fitness levels! As you approach the track you have to cross through some real picturesque farmland. The track itself is a whopping 9 kilometers! Looping through native forest back to the forest entrance. Keep an eye out for the airplane crash site memorial plaque around the middle of the track - you can still see the clearance in the tree tops from where it crashed! My favorite part of it all is the huge kauri tree! Which is nicely sign posted and takes about 2 minutes to walk to off of the track. The whole track takes about 4 - 5 hours return.

If the perfect swimming hole is defined by tranquility and fun, then Matapouri’s Mermaid Pools are the golden standard. It’s nothing but postcard pools and wonderful leaps from all heights when it comes to this spot! This place is pretty popular but every now and then you get lucky enough to have it all to yourself. About 15 minutes walk around Matapouri Bay, be sure to bring some shoes and a camera!

This place is epic! It’s a beautiful waterfall surrounded by huge pillars and steps that make for awesome jumping platforms. It’s the local hot spot for cooling off, and anytime during the summer you’ll find plenty of them bathing and bombing around this gem. It’s a little hard to find, but the locals are bound to point you in the right direction - remember Charlies Rock!

Whangarei Falls is an awesome place to go for a dip on a hot summers day. It’s a small bush walk to the actual swimming hole at the bottom. Now some people have been known to take a short cut via leaping from the top! I didn’t have the nerve to, but maybe you do! I loved the beautiful stream leading to the waterfall at the top, which is such a pleasure during a hot day.

About an hours walk from Whangarei Falls at the end of Whareora Road. This place is literally right on track and surrounded by sweet greenery. Such a refreshing and fun spot. It’s a glorious waterhole about 5 minutes walk from the car park. The best part about this place is being able to just nip in for a few bombs, then head off without it being too far out of the way!

This place is so convenient! It’s literally a stones throw from the park benches of Mair Park. I remember coming here as a kid while my parents picnicked about, we swam around splashing and skipping stones! The perfect spot for parents to bring their kids, and an awesome place to stop off for a refreshing dip after hiking the tracks to Parahaki. So bring some togs and a loaf of bread for the ducks!