Lower Northland

Lower Northland is the southern part of the Northland region of New Zealand. It includes two local government districts, Whangarei District and Kaipara District. It includes the northern half of the Kaipara Harbour – the southern half of the harbour is in the Auckland Region.

Cities

• 1 Dargaville – the main town in Kaipara District
• 2 Whangarei – the main city of Northland

See

• Beaches. The long, exposed beaches of the west coast and the beaches of the more indented east coast, from Langs Beach in the south to Whangaruru in the north.
• 1 Kai Iwi Lakes. Half an hour's drive north of Dargaville. (updated Sep 2018)
• 2 Kauri Museum, 5 Church Rd, Matakohe, ☏ +64 9 431 7417, info@kaurimuseum.com. Daily 9AM-5PM. This large museum in a small village tells the story of the pioneering days through the use of kauri timber and kauri gum (fossilised resin). Adult $25, child (5-15 years) $8, senior or student $20. (updated Mar 2023)
• 3 Glow worms in Waipu Caves. (updated Mar 2023)

Do

• 1 Scuba diving at the Poor Knights Islands. (updated Apr 2021)
• 2 Adrenalin Adventure Park, 27 Hukerenui Rd, Ruatangata West, ☏ +64 21 231 0890. Sa-Su 11AM-5PM. Waterpark with an inflatable obstacle course on a lake. Age 12+: $55, child (6-11): $50, under 6: $25. (updated Mar 2023)
• 3 Hike to the Tokatoka Peak lookout. (updated Mar 2023)

Go next

• Bay of Islands
• Hokianga to the north (60 minutes drive from Dargaville)
  • Tane Mahuta, Waipoua Forest, State Highway 12 (65 km north of Dargaville). A giant kauri tree, the largest living kauri. A 200 metre walk from the car park. 
  • Sand dunes – sandstone sculptures on top of dune opposite Opononi
  • Koutu Boulders – biggest concretions in the world
• Wellsford and the rest of the Auckland Region to the south