Tutukaka Coast Highlights

Tutukaka Coast - Pacific playground to ocean-lovers and land-lovers alike. Spectacular seascapes, beaches, bush clad headlands, sand fringed estuaries, walkways, cafes and breathtaking scenery are some of the many attractions of the Tutukaka Coast. Diving, surfing, swimming, fishing, kayaking, relaxing on the beautiful white sandy beaches and walking are some of the popular pursuits of locals and holiday-makers. Getting there, you drive through stone wall country to native bush and streams, orchards, farmland, forest, beaches and small pockets of people.

Scenic Driving Route

Following the coast out of town the road winds upwards and inland. Towards the top of the hill on the right is an observation area where you can look out on the islands across the sea. Continuing on down the hill take a detour along Tutukaka Block road which leads along a peninsula with several scenic bays and great views before you arrive at Whangaumu Bay. You have to back track from there onto the main road where you will find the Tutukaka Marina at the bottom of the hill.

Poor Knights Islands

The Poor Knights Islands are an internationally recognized icon, up for World Heritage Status and 23km off the Tutukaka Coast where the island’s 11 million year old volcanic origins provide myriad spectacular drop offs, walls, caves, arches and tunnels, all inhabited by an amazing array of underwater life. Isolated from the mainland for many thousands of years, they are the remnants of ancient volcanoes that erupted in the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Tutukaka Marina

Photograph by Martin Ward: A safe haven to mariners since Polynesian navigator Kupe first cruised past, the marina lies at the head of a beautiful natural harbour. These days it is a fishing port, a coastal waypoint for local and international yachties, and home to a fleet of private launches and charter boats for diving and fishing. The Whangarei Deep Sea Anglers Club displays trophies for several world record catches, and has a restaurant and bar overlooking the marina. Dive shops, Schnappa Rock café, pizzeria, small goods store/petrol station and slipway

Coastal & Bush Walkways

The Tutukaka Coast offers walkers and coastal scenery lovers of all fitness levels and ages an extensive range of spectacular and world-class short walks. The panoramic scenery is breathtaking, the beaches pristine, and often secluded, and the native new zealand bush superb. Whether you have 5 miutes or several hours available there is a walkway for you on the Tutukaka Coast. To view more information and directions about some of our more popular walks click here.

Beautiful Beaches

Tutukaka Coast’s beaches are among the most spectacular in Northland, and New Zealand. There are so beaches to choose from, each with individual character and beauty. There are white sandy beaches such as Matapouri Bay, Woolley’s Bay, Whale Bay and Whangaumu Bay. There are calm inner harbour pebble beaches such as Pacific Bay, Kowharewa Bay and Church Bay (accessible via Tutukaka Block Road). There is the famous surf beach, Sandy Bay. And that’s only to get you started!