Go North West Getaways

Free Independent Travellers - Vehicle or Campervan

Great family or couples getaways

2.5 hours north west from Auckland city

Naturally Historic & The Great Outdoors

Where to Stay

For Accomodation options click here

Where To Eat

To discover where to eat click here

What to Do and See

For a list of attractions in and around Dargaville click here

Where to Shop

For a list of retail businesses click here

Enjoy a West Coast Getaway in the comfort of your camper or stay in one of our holiday parks, park motel, or motels options with the opportunity to stay at:

The Beach, Kai Iwi Lakes or Trounson Holiday Parks, or in the heart of Dargaville.

Baylys Beach, Horse Treks, 100km of beach to walk, with the dog, run, bike, surf, fish, (many styles) hang glide, sail board and for those who have a 4 wheel drive, the opportunity to drive the beach to Pouto Point in the south and the Bluff in the north - check tides but ask a local for advice.   

Golf at Baylys Beach our 18 hole golf course is a real pleasure to play and loved by all who visit Campervan - Holiday Park and Lodge options.

Trounson Park has both a Top Ten and a DOC camp, while Waipoua Forest has a campground. As well as the many walking opportunities at both Trounson Kauri Park and Waipoua Forest, you can book a night walk from the Kauri Coast Holiday Park. It is possible you will hear and see Kiwis in their natural habitat. Ph for bookings. www.kauricoasttop10.co.nz

The Kauri Coast Holiday Park is a well equipped park with a small river running through it and a swimming hole popular in summer. www.kauricoastholidaypark.co.nz

You will need to be self sufficient in terms of your catering needs, as the closest supermarket is Countdown Dargaville (40 minutes) with only a gas station and basic provisions at Kaihu.  

Why not try Glamping (Glamorous Camping).  No need to set up the tent, it's all laid on for you - some even have outdoor bath tubs!  Try Wild Forest Estate, Highfield Forest Retreat, or Kai Iwi Lakes Resort.

From Dargaville you can travel by road to Pouto Point and stay in the camp ground overlooking the Kaipara Harbour.

Alternatively Taylor made Tours, provide a guided tour of Ripiro Beach to Pouto from Dargaville or in the reverse, tide dependent. Stories from yesteryear of sailing ships and shipwrecks. visit: www.dargavillenz.com

While at Pouto Point visit the Pouto Lighthouse and make the climb to the summit -  Only for the fit and fearless! OR visit with Kahuparere Tours.

Your catering requirements need to be satisfied at Dargaville Countdown before travelling south to Pouto which is one hour plus on a metal road. 

In Dargaville there are also plenty of historic buildings to view including the Old Post Office, the Dargaville Court House and the Old Municipal Building.  The Dargaville Museum is well worth the visit and the views from the front deck over the Northern Wairoa River and Dargaville township is just amazing.

Feeling like a Midweek Getaway - With friends or Family

We have just the place for you

Dargaville & Baylys Beach

Take advantage of our Beauty & Massage Therapists 

Hairdressers

Great  Retail Therapy Options

Kai Iwi Lakes is a great place to explore if you enjoy swimming, cycling, hiking, relaxing.

Stay at the Kai Iwi Lakes camp ground in the comfort of your campervan, or other options include Wai Hou Oma Lodge, Kai Iwi Lakes Resort & B & B options.  All these require you to self cater.  However, the nearby Kaihu Tavern is open for lunch and dinner.  Phone for opening hours.

The Lakes offer many activity options:  walking, cycling, trout fishing, kayak and canoeing, sailing and boating, flora and fauna watching, swimming, water skiing, and jetskis.  There is a walking track to the beach across farmland and the nearby Omamari Beach is a haven for all manner of beach activities, as is Baylys Beach.

From Omamari Beach, it is an easy drive to the Bluff on an outgoing tide, where you will be able to gather mussels from the rocks - care is required.

Get a Taste of the Circus - A unique niche market offering

Circus Kumarani are Dargaville based and regularly run workshops and activities during the school holidays for children and adults to partake in the magic of circus activities.  Check out their website for upcoming events.

Alternatively drive north west and stay in the many holiday park units on offer at Baylys beach Holiday Park and Kauri Coast Top10 Holiday Park or select one of the other many choices of accommodation in the area.

Recommend minimum 3 nights but 5 -7 nights allows for a more leisurely experience of all the wild west coast (Kauri Coast) has to offer.

Activities involving wheels are:

• Pump Track at Selwyn Park
• Mountainbike Track at Harding Park
• Skateboard Park at Selwyn Park
• Kaipara Vintage Machinery Club
• Cycling Trails - Ruawai Stop Bank Trail, Kai Iwi Lakes Tracks, Ripiro Beach.  for more information go to KDC Cycle Trails
• Dargaville Rail Carts
• Dargaville Museum
• Dargaville Stock Car Club
• 4 wheel drive and quad bikes

Check out other activities for visit during the School Holidays and at any time you make your way to Dargaville .

In Dargaville there are many food outlets, takeaway, cafes and restaurants with a good selection of ethnic options, Thai, Indian Chinese, Subway, pizza and chicken takeouts and the very popular fish and chips.

Countdown supermarket and Four Square convenience store are a great place to stock up if staying at the Holiday Parks.  

A great family getaway with many attractions and activities, for young and older - Dargaville Museum - The Kauri Museum at Matakohe - Rail & River Cruises in guided self drive rail cars - Muddy Waters Gallery - Lead light & Glass Art and The Wood Turners Kauri Gallery.  Nelsons Kaihu Gallery - Riverside Gardens and play area and the very cool 'Anzac' movie theatre. 

Great cycle trails - beach - lakes - rural and mountain bike options. Contact our premo cycle shop, at Dargaville 'Time To' for more information and all your cycling needs. www.timetodargaville.co.nz

Travel to Brynderwyn on SH1 from Auckland - At Brynderwyn turn left onto SH12 - gateway to Dargaville & The Kauri Coast

Don’t miss the world famous Kauri Museum at Matakohe - food and accommodation options available here. 

Moving on from the Kauri Museum and through the southern villages to Tokatoka mountain - worth a climb to survey the river and local area before driving onto Dargaville.

Visit The Dargaville Museum - Pouto Point - Baylys Beach & Golf - Kai Iwi Lakes & Trout fishing -Trounson Park and Waipoua Forest. 

Our website provides a range of  accommodation with easy navigation to your preferred option.