Mangawhai's main claim to fame is the surf beach and its large hilltop car park fills up quickly in peak season. To the south a narrow spit of sand stretches for kilometres to form the estuary's southern head, sheltering a seabird sanctuary. Across the estuary the beautiful, seemingly empty expanse of dunes is home to precious wildlife including endangered dotterels and fairy terns who nest in the sand.
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Mangawhai Heads
Top choice in Bay of Islands & Northland
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
17.06 MILES
Only 3km from Leigh, this 547-hectare aquatic area was established in 1975 as the country’s first marine reserve. In less than 40 years the sea has…
23.35 MILES
The giant cross-sections of trees at this superb museum are astounding in themselves, but the entire industry is animated through life-sized reproductions…
1.93 MILES
One of regional NZ's best museums, this spectacular building shaped like a stingray is on the main road linking Mangawhai village to Mangawhai Heads…
24.43 MILES
A partly unsealed road leads to this 588-hectare reserve at the end of a peninsula. This special place is an open sanctuary for native birds, protected by…
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28.89 MILES
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29.01 MILES
Fans of the late Austrian-born architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser will instantly recognise his influence in this colourful, irregularly shaped, one…
19.56 MILES
Two kilometres north of Warkworth, a track leads through this regenerating forest to the Dome summit (336m). On a fine day you can see the Sky Tower from…
29.09 MILES
Abbey Caves is an undeveloped network of three caverns full of glowworms and limestone formations, 6km east of town. Take a torch, strong shoes, a mate…
Nearby Bay of Islands & Northland attractions
1.93 MILES
One of regional NZ's best museums, this spectacular building shaped like a stingray is on the main road linking Mangawhai village to Mangawhai Heads…
3.6 MILES
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10.87 MILES
In this fascinating little museum Waipu's Scottish heritage comes to life through holograms, a short film and interactive displays. The shop stocks…
12.99 MILES
You'll see the terraces of a lot of historic pā (fortified village) sites etched into hillsides all around NZ, but if you want to get an idea of how these…
17.06 MILES
Only 3km from Leigh, this 547-hectare aquatic area was established in 1975 as the country’s first marine reserve. In less than 40 years the sea has…
6. Goat Island Marine Discovery Centre
17.13 MILES
Staffed by marine experts and graduate students from the University of Auckland, this centre is packed with interesting exhibitions on the ecosystem of…
19.56 MILES
Two kilometres north of Warkworth, a track leads through this regenerating forest to the Dome summit (336m). On a fine day you can see the Sky Tower from…
20.04 MILES
This agricultural attraction offers farm experiences for little city slickers (pony rides, lamb feeding) and the ubiquitous sheep and dog show, including…
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