EXPLORE THE AREA
Beaches nearby
We have 4 beaches within a 5-10 minute walk. Stroll down our private track to for a quick swim. Or take your boat down to the beach within a minute.
All the beaches are amazing, hang out here for a few hours and stroll back to Te Koha for lunch. Head back for another swim and get back for sunset drinks on the deck!
See the map below on how to reach all these areas.
Lovely sandy beach just a walk. (note no boat access from here). Shade if you need it, at the far end of the beach. Great for swim or paddle board as there is not too much surf. See the Google images here.
a) Access the stunning little sandy cove, with a few more waves and lots of shade. Access is left from the main beach. See the map to access this place. Its a hidden gem off the road, down a small lane. Its only for swimming or surfing.
b) Or goto to the main sandy beach where you can park your car and you also have boat access at the far right.
Note boat access is not concrete, its sand, a 4 x 4 would be best. If you want to launch on a concrete ramp then goto Whanagora Harbour, a 18 minute drive away. Check out this web forum for more info on this.
Check out the Google images and reviews, of this Te Ngaere Bay, it is a gem!
Another lovely beach for swimming and surfing.
For a full writeup of the these beaches - check out this review.
If you fancy a short 10 minute drive, then pop down to Matauri Bay home of the famous Rainbow Warrior Dive Wreck
Links to more information:
1. Stuff reports on the art work at Piapia Bay that got international acclaim.
2. National Library Archive aerial picture - Piapia Bay & Te Ngaere Bay
3. You Tube Kayak/Fishing Te Ngaere Bay
4. You Tube Vlog onTe Ngaere Bay fishing/free diving
5. Boat launching tips at Te Ngaere Bay
Walks:
Mahinepua DOC walk:
This is a great walk a 5 minute drive away, on the Mahinepua headland. It has amazing views across the ocean and you can even look back to Te Koha Estate too.
This is a DOC managed track, make sure you bring your camera and your swimmers for a dip after your walk. Also make sure you wear sturdy footwear.
To view access and other information about the walk goto the DOC website link.
Amazing views on the Mahinepua DOC walk.
Rainbow Falls in another lovely walk, flat and easy in Kerikeri. There is a wheelchair friendly boardwalk from Rainbow Falls Road which takes about 10 minutes or you can take the 4.3km walk through the bush and along the river starting at the Kerikeri town basin. Allow about an hour each way and wear sturdy footwear. Drive time is about 30 minutes.
There are several other local tracks such as Wairakau Stream Walk and St. Paul’s Rock track. Drive time is about 30 minutes.
Puketi Nature Trail is an easy, short (1.6 km) board walk amongst giant Kauri trees and stunning New Zealand flora and fauna. Drive time is about 30 minutes.
Cycling
Twin Coast Cycle Trail offers a variety of short trails of different intensities which can be done individually or linked together to make a day of it. Spanning Opua to Horeke you travel across Northland farm land and bush.
Waitangi Mountain Bike Park, located in the Waitangi Forest, offers a variety of grade tracks to suit everyone from novice cyclists to the ultra-fit. You can hire bikes in Paihia or bring your own. Drive time is about an hour.
To get an overview of other cycle routes look at the Northland cycle journeys website
Or you can cycle along Wainui Road, which is scenic drive for about 40km. Have a look at this review.
Fishing Charters
Of course you can go fishing at some of the amazing beaches right next to Te Koha. Or if you want to have day out, you could head out to Whangaroa Harbour. This is well known for its abundance of fish and in particular Striped and Blue Marlin during the season. This area is also good for catching Kingfish and Snapper. There are many local fishing charters from here and you can get lunch at the club. Its about a 30 minutes to drive.
Golf
Kauri Cliffs is is the nearest golf course to Te Koha. It is a PGA tour and is one of New Zealand’s most celebrated golf courses and there is an excellent restaurant onsite. Drive time is about 10 minutes. Check out this review.
Bay of Islands Golf Course is located in central Kerikeri and there are plenty of shops and cafes nearby to entertain any non-golfers in your party. Drive time is around 30 minutes.
Carrington Golf Course is located on the Karikari Peninsula close to Carrington Estate Winery. Drive time is about 60 minutes.
Whangaroa Golf Course Offers relaxed country-style golf, the drive time and is a 30 minute drive.
Waitangi Golf Course is set on historic grounds and offers beautiful vistas of Russell and the Bay of Islands. There are many entertainment options close by for non-golfers. Drive time is about 50 minutes.
Farmer’s Market
The Old Packhouse Market in Kerikeri is the best known and largest Farmer’s Market in the Far North. Open from 8 am -1.30 pm every Saturday, it features some of Northlands finest artisan fare. There is a smaller food and vintage market at the same venue on Sundays from 9am - 1pm on Sundays. Drive time is around 30 minutes.
Vineyards
There are many award-winning wineries nearby that also have excellent restaurants onsite.
Ake Ake Vineyard on the edge of Kerikeri is open for lunch 7 days a week from 11.45am (last reservations at 2pm) and for dinner Monday to Saturday from 5.30pm (last reservations at 8pm). Drive time is just over 25 minutes.
Carrington Estate on Karikari Peninsula has spectacular sea views. The summer restaurant trading hours are Monday to Thursday 11am – 4pm and Friday to Sunday 11am - 8pm. Drive time is about 60 minutes.
Marsden Estate in Kerikeri is open 7 days a week. In summer they are open from 10 – 5pm for lunch and cellar door sales and from 6pm for dinner on Friday & Saturday. Drive time is around 30 minutes.
Map of the area and things to do
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