Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Riverside Produce Market
(Kapia St;
MARKET
$
2.30-5.30pm Thu)
Local produce and crafts.
Blah, Blah, Blah…
(101 Victoria St; breakfast $12-25, lunch $13-18, dinner $22-34; 9am-late Tue-Sat, to 4pm Sun-Mon)
The
number-one eatery in Dargaville has a garden area, hip music, deli-style snacks, a global
menu including
dukkah
, pizza and steak, and beer, wine and cocktails.
CAFE, BAR
$$
Information
DOC Kauri Coast Area Office
(
09-439 3450;
www.doc.govt.nz
; 150 Colville Rd;
8am-4.30pm Mon-Fri)
Visitor Information Centre
(
09-439 4975;
www.kauriinfocentre.co.nz
;
4 Murdoch St;
9am-5.30pm;
)
Operates out of the Woodturners Kauri Gallery & Studio. Books accommodation and
tours.
Getting There & Away
Weekday shuttle buses run by West Coaster (
Click here
)
link Dargaville with Whangarei.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Pouto Point
A narrow spit descends south of Dargaville, bordered by the Tasman Sea and Wairoa
River, and comes to an abrupt halt at the entrance of NZ's biggest harbour, the Kaipara.
It's an incredibly remote headland, punctuated by dozens of petite dune lakes and the
lonely Kaipara Lighthouse (built from kauri in 1884). Less than 10km separates Kaipara
Harbour's north and south heads, but if you were to drive between the two you'd cover
267km.
A 4WD can be put to its proper use on the ocean-hugging 71km stretch of beach from
Dargaville. DOC's
Pouto Hidden Treasures
is a helpful guide for motorists, with tips for
protecting both your car and the fragile ecosystem. It can be downloaded at
To explore the huge expanse of sand dunes on an organised tour, contact Jock at
Poutu
Sand Safaris
(
09-439 6678;
www.poutu.co.nz
; per person from $35)
.
TOP OF CHAPTER
