2020 - Northland, NZ (Part 1 - Mangonui)

Christmas up north

Sunday 27 December 2020 - Tuesday 29 December 2020
View 2020 Northland on nzhamsta's travel map.

Sunday 27 December

We normally spend Christmas our family up in Whangarei, eating too much, drinking a moderate amount and receiving small gifts (we have gone past the point of spending up large on unnecessary stuff), and after getting some decent bargains in the Boxing Day sales, we drove up north for a few days.

Our first stop was in Kerikeri and we wandered along to Rainbow Falls just out of town. The weather was not very nice at all, but it makes everything look clean and green.

Rainbow Falls, Kerikeri.

The bottom of Rainbow Falls in Kerikeri.

From there we carried on north to Mangonui. This is a harbour, village and world famous fish and chip shop. Our motel was around on Back Bay and had a great view over the water.

Dinner was at the aforementioned fish and chip shop. Whilst not cheap, the fish is awesomely fresh, the portions large and the location brilliant. It is always very busy with tourists whereas the locals go to a place next to the pub as it is cheaper!

Back Bay, Mangonui Harbour

Mangonui Harbour.

Seagulls in Mangonui.

The local fish and chip shop in Mangonui.

Sunset over Mangonui Harbour.

Monday 28 December

There is a pā site (a historical fortified village) on the headland overlooking the entrance to the harbour and it has great views over both the harbour and the bay opposite.

Mangonui Harbour from Rangikapiti Pā.

The top of Rangikapiti Pā.

The entrance to Mangonui Harbour.

Cooper's Beach from the top of Rangikapiti Pā.

From the pā, we drove around the corner to Cooper's Beach. We used to come up here as kids and stay with some family friends. The house is still there but the people have long since moved on.

Pohutukawa trees at Cooper's Beach.

Cooper's Beach.

Hung at Cooper's Beach.

Kiwi Christmas. A harbour, a pohutukawa tree, sunshine and a hokey pokey ice cream.

From there we carried along past Cable Bay, Taipa and then out to the Karikari Peninsula

Tokerau Beach on the Karikari Peninsula, looking back across Doubtless Bay towards Cooper's Beach.

Dinner was at another restaurant in Mangonui. Huge portions and very tasty.

Tuesday 29 December

Another road trip, this time over to the Tasman Sea side of Northland. We stopped in Kaitaia for lunch and then out to Ahipara. This is the southern-most end of Ninety Mile Beach.

Wild hair on Ninety Mile Beach.