Discover the coastal beauty of Mangawhai and beyond

The gateway to the stunning natural beauty of the Bay of Islands, Mangawhai sits within a 15-minute drive to breathtaking beaches.

Mangawhai, also known as Mangawhai Heads, is a charming seaside town that is fast becoming a coveted destination for Auckland weekenders and those who covet rural lifestyles in northern New Zealand.

Located on the Twin Coast Discovery Highway, about 80 minutes north of Auckland City, Mangawhai is nestled between the Pacific coast and rolling farmland.

Exploring Mangawhai’s marvels

With activities like golfing, fishing and hiking, residents and visitors can soak up a relaxed Kiwi coastal and country lifestyle in this vast outdoor playground.

Golfers are spoilt for choice with Mangawhai’s outstanding golf courses. Imagine golfing against an unbeatable ocean view with rugged mountains in the far distance, in a remote corner of the known world.

Experience a true golf oasis at the Tara Iti Golf Club, New Zealand’s most exclusive private golf resort. Opened in 2015, the property on Te Arai Beach—one of New Zealand’s prime surfing spots—lands at No. 6 on Golf Digest’s ranking of the World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses. Alongside, Te Arai Links includes both the South Course designed by legendary golf architects Coore and Crenshaw, and the Tom Doak-designed North Course due to open late 2023. While Tara Iti remains a lesser-known secret for now, we expect more golfers making their way there in the future.

Nearby, the Mangawhai Golf Club—recently ranked seventh place in New Zealand—offers a challenging 18-hole Par 72 championship golf course set on a magnificent sandbased natural parkland.

If golf isn’t your thing, charter boats are available to take you fishing at sought after fishing spots including Hen & Chicken Islands and Sail Rock. If you’re after a bit more of a voyage, the glorious Mokohinau Islands is a fishing paradise thriving with large marlin, kingfish, tuna, snappers, and more. Popular fishing charters include Offshore Adventures and Fishmeister, and you can expect to see clear blue seas, pristine white beaches and dolphins along the way.

Beyond water-based activities, Mangawhai offers many lovely walking and hiking trails including the Mangawhai Cliff Top walk, the Tanekaha Falls track and the Waipu Coastal Trail.

Described as one of the best coastal walks in New Zealand, the Mangawhai Cliff Top walk brings remarkable views up and down the coast and to off-shore islands, and the chance to spot passing whales and schools of sharks.

When you’ve had enough of exploring, food and wine lovers can sample the fine wines at boutique vineyards, visit the famous Bennett’s chocolate workshop for hand crafted chocolates or browse the bustling farmer’s market packed with fresh produce.

Ancient forest walks and birdwatching galore

Venture to the outskirts of Mangawhai to the Ancient Kauri Trail, the route across the Brynderwyn Hills. Start at Maungaturoto and wind your way up the untamed west coast to encounter ruggedly beautiful west coast beaches. The trail is also famed for the Trounson Kauri Park and Waipoua Forest, where you can meander along forest boardwalks while soaking up the presence of ancient giant kauri trees. It is famously home to the largest kauri tree in New Zealand—a 2000-year-old majestic specimen known as Tāne Mahuta, The Lord of the Forest.

A short one-hour drive away from Mangawhai is Kaipara Harbour, the largest harbour in the Southern Hemisphere. Birdwatchers can glimpse migratory and local wading birds like godwits, fairy terns, dotterels, and oystercatchers, which thrive in the diverse ecosystem of coastal mudflats, freshwater swamp, reed beds, scrubland, mangrove forest, and sea grass.

It’s no wonder that picturesque Mangawhai has earned a place in our list as an idyllic getaway escape.

Top Location Dairy Farm

298 Waiteitei Road, Tomarata, North Auckland, New Zealand

This dairy unit enjoys a great location in one of North Auckland’s most productive farming areas in Tomarata; it’s also in a very desirable lifestyle location just over an hour’s drive to Auckland. East Coast beaches, including Te Arai and Mangawhai Heads and international golf courses such as Tara Iti and Te Arai Links, are also nearby. Over the past three years, production has averaged just under 80,000kgMS. The dairy platform features approximately 30ha of flat contour, with the balance being easy rolling to medium predominately kikuyu- free pastures and centrally raced to 42 paddocks. This season, cows are also being milked off the neighbouring lease block of 25 hectares. This attractive farm enjoys lovely rural views, with stands of native bush and three dams. It has a 16ASHB cow shed, implement shed, stables with a horse arena, two hay barns and workers accommodation. The farm is served by a water bore and benefits from a long road frontage on the main road leading into Mangawhai. Dairy Herd (200-220 cows) also available and leaseback an option.

Little Italy In New Zealand

458A King Road, Mangawhai, Kaipara

3+328860sqm

Price: By Negotiation

Be prepared to fall in love with this superior lifestyle property nestled in the hills above the resort town of Mangawhai and the Pacific Ocean. Set on 8860sqm of beautifully landscaped grounds with a pond and an alfresco dining area complete with a Taverna style building, this property is one of the finest in the area. The cedar 272sqm home was built in 2018 to a very high standard with an entertainers kitchen, huge butler’s pantry and two living areas, all opening out onto the impressive swimming pool complex. The master suite opens out to a private spa complex.

The home has a double internal garage, wood storage and laundry complex, with great outbuildings including an 80sqm shed with a bathroom, plus an extra high stud shed for a motorhome or a boat. Your biggest problem will be getting your friends and family to leave, however they have been catered for with a separate two bedroom guest suite called The Olive Room which is listed on Airbnb. Little Italy, set among olive trees and close to wineries, world class golf courses and east coast beaches, is the lifestyle property you deserve.