Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the district became
tapu
(sacred, taboo). British squatters moved in and were rewarded
with land titles by the government in the 1850s. Ceremonies were only performed to lift
the
tapu
in the 1990s.
Sights & Activities
Mangawhai Heads
A narrow spit of sand stretches for kilometres to form the harbour's south head, sheltering
a seabird sanctuary. Across the water sits the holiday town with a surf beach at its north-
ern tip. Lifesavers patrol on weekends in summer and daily during school holidays, but
it's not especially dangerous.
BEACH
Mangawhai Museum
(
www.mangawhai-museum.org.nz
;
Molesworth Dr; admission by donation; 10.30am-1pm Thu-Sun)
Scheduled
to open by the time you read this, the Mangawhai Historical Society's new museum occu-
pies a spectacular building on the main road that links Mangawhai Village to Mangawhai
Heads; check out the roof shaped like a stingray.
MUSEUM
Mangawhai Cliff Top Walkway
Starting at Mangawhai Heads, this track affords extensive views of sea and land. It takes
two to three hours, provided you time it with a return down the beach at low tide. This is
part of Te Araroa, the national walking track.
TRAMPING
Sleeping
Coastal Cow Backpackers
( 09-431 5246;
www.mangawhaibackpackers.com
;
299 Molesworth Dr, Mangawhai Heads; dm $28, s $55-88, d &
tw $66-95)
This homely hostel has simple rooms decorated with a quirky bovine theme.
There's also a self-contained unit ($95).
HOSTEL
$
Milestone Cottages
( 09-431 4018;
www.milestonecottages.co.nz
;
27 Moir Pt Rd, Mangawhai Heads; apt $125-170; )
A Pasifika
paradise, with lush tropical gardens and self-contained apartments. A walking track leads
to a compact beach that's great for swimming and kayaking.
APARTMENTS
$$
