Hokianga and Waipoua worth a visit

Travel three hours north of Auckland to unearth the giant kauri trees of the Waipoua Kauri Forest - the sentinels for the undiscovered jewel of Northland's west coast, the historic Hokianga Harbour.

Tracks give access to notorious giants, 1400 year old Tane Mahuta and 2000 year Te Matua Ngahere, as well as other forest walks including Yakas Track, lookout walk and the Waiotemarama kauri and waterfall walks.

People can stomp along several fabulous coastal walks - including the Signal Station walk complete with amazing sand dune views.

The Hokianga landscape is dotted with many quaint villages, such as the twin settlement of Omapere and Opononi made famous in 1955-56 by Opo the dolphin with trips to 300 metre high sand dunes from here.

Rawene, New Zealand's third oldest European settlement, has historic Clendon House to share with visitors.

Check out the historic timber mill town Kohukohu and the second oldest European settlement, Horeke, which was a historic ship building town.

Nearby Mangungu Mission House is the site of the second, and largest, signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.

Hokianga has a wide range of accommodation, suiting the needs of all budgets, people can rest their weary heads after days of pony trekking, exploring the craft trail, carving, bush walks, sand dunes, fishing boating, swimming, golf, museum, great food at many cafes and eating establishments or just taking it easy in this wonderful relaxed atmosphere.