Once a bustling whaling and trading port, this scenic historic village is home to some lovely heritage buildings, local artists and a busy fishing wharf.

Soak up the beautiful harbour views on a stroll around the board walk, complete the Heritage Trail discovering historic sites and landmarks, venture up to Rangikapiti Pā for outstanding views of Doubtless Bay, stop for coffee at an oceanfront cafe or the Mangonui Hotel (built in 1905) for a beer, browse the boutiques or take a swim from the new pontoon.

[You’ll find the Mangonui Waterfront Apartments located in the heart of Mangonui, directly behind the Waterfront Cafe.]

Māori legend dictates that Mangōnui is named after a guardian taniwha who in the form of a giant shark accompanied the canoe Riukaramea into the harbour. “Mangō” = shark | “nui” = big.

Our closest marina, Mill Bay is a good place to launch your boat from or rent a mooring within walking distance of Mangonui, Coopers Beach and Rangikapiti Pā.

It is also home to the Mangonui Cruising Club – our local sailing and cruising community.

A large, flat and Pohutukawa lined safe swimming beach popular with both tourists and locals, Coopers Beach is an excellent picnic destination or for a beach day.

With bush walks to Rangikapiti Pā at one end and access to Taumarumaru scenic reserve at the other. It has a playground for the kids, toilets and changing rooms and is a short walk to a shopping centre that has a medical centre, pharmacy, grocery store, beauty therapist, butchery, bakery and artisan coffee shop offering all your espresso desires plus deli treats and gelato.

Cable Bay gets its name from the cable station that operated from there in the early 1900s sending messages around the world in morse code from 1902 until 1912 with cable that was 3458 nautical miles long.

This spot is popular with families with multiple places to swim, a play ground and rock pools for the children to explore, and the Cable Bay Store offering ice cream cones, delicious deli food and hot takeaway food options.

Taipa is a great choice for water sports and fun for kids with the pontoon swimming platform near the Taipa Sailing Club, where the river meets the ocean.

You’ll find amenities here such as petrol/gas station, local bakery and a tavern to quench your thirst.

The Karikari Peninsula is the place to cast your fishing line from the flat sand or collect TuaTua on super long and wide Tokerau Beach (stretching 18km).

It is also home to “Coca Cola Lake” (Lake Rotopokaka), Matai Bay, a world class golf course, vineyard restaurant with stunning views, olive groves and beautiful white silica sand beaches.

If you’re feeling energetic, climb Puheke mountain for spectacular views of Rangiputa, Puheke beach, Doubtless Bay and to Cape Reinga.

Across the harbour from Mangonui is Hihi – a sleepy little beachside village for safe swimming, great fishing, a boat ramp for you to launch from and is a lovely place to watch the sun set.

Also you’ll find Butler Point Whaling Museum and one of New Zealand’s first houses, “Butler House” built in 1847 – well worth a visit for a lesson in local history, and is home to a DOC kiwi sanctuary – trying to repopulate kiwi.

A 20-minute drive south of Doubtless Bay, and a little off the beaten track is Taupō Bay, popular with surfers and summer holidaymakers.

Taupō Bay is a fabulous choice for a picnic destination or family day out at the beach.

When in Northland, a trip to Cape Reinga is a ‘must do’ excursion.

Stand atop a cliff and see (quite literally) where the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean meet.

Drive yourself or take a guided bus tour, which can collect you just steps from our apartments.

Tip: Allow 2+ hours for the drive from Mangonui, and pack a picnic as there are not many options to purchase food once you pass Awanui.

Within an hour’s drive of Mangonui you can visit the “birthplace of New Zealand” – Waitangi Treaty Grounds, or spend a day cruising on the water, lunch over the ocean in Paihia, or even a helicopter tour to view the 140 islands that make up the ‘Bay of Islands’.

Take the ferry across to historic Russell, to step back in time to the first capital of New Zealand and enjoy lunch at the Duke of Marlborough hotel.

Or enjoy a NZ history lesson in Kerikeri at The Stone Store and Mission House historic sites, shop a bustling farmer’s market, sample sweets at Makana chocolate factory and cafe, or marvel at the natural beauty of Rainbow Falls.

When you’re on holiday with us, you may like to enjoy a long lunch at one of our fabulous vineyards.

The closest wineries to us that also serve food are:

• Karikari Estate (pictured)
• Dancing Petrel (by appointment only)
• AkeAke Vineyard (now Sovrano Estate)
• Marsden Estate

For those avid golfers, we have some excellent golf in our district including Kauri Cliffs – currently ranked #37 of the Golf Digest Top 100 Greatest Golf Courses in the World.

Golf courses within one hour’s drive from Mangonui Waterfront Apartments:

• Kauri Cliffs (pictured)
• Carrington golf course
• Kaitaia Golf Club
• Whangaroa Golf Club
• Bay of Islands Golf Club
• Waitangi Golf Club