The Activities in Kaitaia You Can’t Miss
Often described as “The Capital of the Far North” Kaitaia is an essential pitstop for any Northland road trip! Not only is the town full of fascinating Māori, European and even Dalmatian history, but it is also the main service centre of the Far North area. Banks, shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, medical centres, sports facilities, police stations, supermarkets, accommodations and the northernmost McDonald’s in New Zealand, Kaitaia has you covered for all your needs! However, there’s much more to do than stock up on food, so take a look at the list below of things to do in Kaitaia!
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1. Visit the Te Ahu Centre
A museum, cafe, cinema and information centre all rolled into one magnificent building, the Te Ahu Centre is a must-visit in Kaitaia. Learn about the history of the Far North and its “seven people” including the five local Māori tribes, the Dalmatians and Europeans. See historic artefacts and be wowed by the interactive displays.
Location: Corner of State Highway One and Matthews Avenue, Kaitaia.
© David Kirkland - Northland Inc2. Experience Ninety Mile Beach and Cape Reinga
The long-stretching sands of Ninety Mile Beach and the northern tip of New Zealand at Cape Reinga are on most travellers’ Northland bucket lists! Tackle both sights in a self-guided road trip (following the 5 Best Things to Do at Cape Reinga – note that rental car agreements don’t allow for vehicles to drive on Ninety Mile Beach) or a guided bus tour with Dune Rider Tours where you’ll experience Ninety Mile Beach as a highway, see the glorious Cape Reinga Lighthouse, and even do some dune boarding if you’re up for it!
Location: Cape Reinga is approximately 110 km (68 mi) north of Kaitaia on State Highway 1. Dune Rider Tours offers pick-ups from Kaitaia.
© NZPocketGuide.com3. Take a Trip to Awanui for Kauri Art and Gumdigging
Relics and stories of the kauri logging and gumdigging days are best told in the town of Awanui, just a short drive from Kaitaia. Visit the Kā Uri with kauri and Maori crafting exhibitions and homeware and artwork for sale. Travel about 13 km (8 m) north of Awanui and you’ll find the Gumdiggers Park with a highlight being an ancient buried kauri forest.
Location: Kā Uri – 8.4 km (5 mi) north of Kaitai on State Highway 1. Gumdiggers Park is a further 13 km (8 mi) up State Highway 1, down Heath Road.
© NZPocketGuide.com4. Play Golf in Paradise
New Zealand is renowned for its picturesque golf courses, and Kaitaia Golf Club is no different! Play 9 or 18 holes at this reasonably-priced course which is open to visitors. Play a round to sensational views of the coast and the Tasman Sea on this course located in Ahipara – check out the 5 Awesome Things to Do in Ahipara for more to do nearby. Alternatively, try out the 18-hole championship-standard Carrington Estate Golf Course boasting sweeping ocean and hillside vineyard views.
Location: Kaitaia Golf Club – Takahe Road, Ahipara, 15 km (9 mi) east of Kaitaia in Ahipara. Carrington Estate Golf Course – 109 Maitai Bay Road, Kaitaia, 38 km (24 mi) north of Kaitaia.
© Pixabay5. Walk Around Lake Ngatu
Before you are blown away by beaches, check out this charming lake walk at Lake Ngatu. This freshwater dune lake hosts a family-friendly 4 km (2.5-mi) loop walk that takes approximately 1 hour to complete. Admittedly, it’s not the most breathtaking views in the Far North, but the change of scenery might be welcome to those staying in the area for a while.
Location: Around 1.9 km (1.3 mi) along West Coast Road, approximately 16 km (9.9 mi) north of Kaitaia.
© Department of Conservation6. Beachcomb at Henderson Bay
Henderson Bay offers something for everyone, catering to a diverse range of interests. On tranquil days, the crystal clear waters make it an ideal spot for snorkelling and diving, while the lagoon and rock pools revealed at low tide provide excellent opportunities for children to swim and discover marine life. Additionally, Henderson Bay is renowned for its surfing spots further down from the designated swimming areas. Visitors may even be treated to the sight of dolphins playing and surfing in the bay.
Location: Henderson Bay Road, around 57 km (35 mi) north of Kaitaia off State Highway 1.
© David Kirkland - Northland Inc7. Take a Trip North to Toputaputu Bay
One of the most scenic and accessible beaches between Kaitaia and Cape Reinga is Toputaputu Bay. Enjoy a picnic, splash in the waves or even camp the night at the beach’s campsite.
Location: Approximately 110 km (67 mi) north of Kaitaia off State Highway 1 down Toputaputu Road.
© Gadfium on Wikipedia8. Hike the Te Paki Coast Track
Want an awesome multi-day hiking adventure and a fantastic alternative to a New Zealand Great Walk? Consider hiking the Te Paki Coastal Track! This 48 km (30-mi) trail takes 3-4 days to complete, taking in the best scenery of Cape Reinga and the Far North area. Walk to Spirits Bay, Ninety Mile Beach, Te Paki Stream and more, staying in campsites (some of which are free) along the way.
Location: There are multiple entry points onto the trail. For the full track, start at Kapowairua off State Highway 1 at Waitiki Landing onto Te Hapua Road and then Spirits Bay Road (105 km/65 km north of Kaitaia). The other end of the track is at Te Paki Stream off State Highway 1 at Te Paki onto Te Paki Stream Road.
© Unsplash9. Sandboard on the Te Paki Sand Dunes
Grab yourself a bodyboard (either buy one before your trip up north or they are included in bus tours, such as with Dune Rider) and hit the giant sand dunes! Just lie down on your stomach on the bodyboard, hold onto the front, and control your speed by digging your feet into the sand. You will see where the bus tours usually sandboard marked in the sand – so that’s a good place to start if you are unsure where to go.
Location: Te Paki Stream Road, 98 km (61 mi) north of Kaitaia off State Highway 1. There is a car park at the end for vehicles that are not suitable for driving on the sand.
© NZPocketGuide.com10. Surf at Shipwreck Bay
Ahipara is home to some of the best surf breaks in the country. A popular spot is Shipwreck Bay, famous for its consistent left-hand breaks. Another awesome spot is Tauroa Point, however, access is limited and reliant on the tide. Surfboard hire is available with Endless Summer Lodge and NZ Surf Bros. For more North Island surf options, see the 10 Places to Surf on the North Island.
Location: Access is at the end of Wreck Bay Road, Ahipara, approximately 17.5 km (11 mi) southwest of Kaitaia.
© NZPocketGuide.com[CLOSED] Hike the Kaitaia Walkway
The Kaitaia Walkway takes you to amazing stands of kauri trees on a walk with sections suitable for both families and hardy trampers alike! The first part of the Kaitaia Walkway is a 20-minute return walk to a kauri grove, which is the easiest option. There’s the slightly more demanding 15-minute return track option taking you to a lookout. Alternatively, there is the 1h30min return tramping route taking you high onto a saddle for more amazing views as you hike across Diggers Valley.
Location: 3 km (2 mi) south of Kaitaia. Start the hike from the car park at the end of Larmer Road.
More Things to Do Near Kaitaia
That’s it for our list of things to do in Kaitaia. Don’t forget to explore Kaitaia’s surrounding destinations:
- 5 Best Things to Do at Cape Reinga
- 15 Best Things to Do in Mangonui, Doubtless Bay
- 5 Best Things to Do in Ahipara
Finally, plan the rest of your trip around Te Ika-a-Māui with the 51 Best Things to Do on the North Island.
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
- Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2025])
- AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2025])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2025])
- NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2025])
- Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Road and transport tips - Updated [2025])
- DriveSafe (Road safety - Updated [2025])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2025])
- Safe Travel (NZ travel advisories - Updated [2025])
- Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
- TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2025])
- Visit Northland New Zealand (Regional tourism website)
- WhangareiNZ.com (Regional tourism website)
- Whangarei District Council (Local council website)
- Northland Regional Council (Local council website)
- Far North District Council (Local council website)
- Kaipara District Council (Local council website)
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