Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
beaches and the
Otamure Bay DOC campsite
(
09-433 8402;
www.doc.govt.nz
; sites per
adult/child $10/5)
.
Activities
Dive trips leave from Tutukaka and cater for both first-timers and experts. There are
some excellent walks along the coast. Pick up a copy of the
Tutukaka Coast Tracks &
Walks
brochure from the Whangarei i-SITE (
Click here
).
Dive! Tutukaka
DIVING
( 0800 288 882;
www.diving.co.nz
; Marina Rd; 2 dives incl gear $249)
Dive courses and
excursions, including a five-day PADI open-water course ($799). For nondivers, the Per-
fect Day Ocean Cruise ($149) includes lunch and snacks, snorkelling in the marine re-
serve, kayaking through caves and arches, paddle boarding, and sightings of dolphins
(usually) and whales (occasionally). Cruises run from November to April, departing at
11am and returning at 4.15pm. In off months, snorkellers can tag along on the dive boats.
Dive! Tutukaka has twice-daily shuttles from Whangarei for its customers ($20).
Yukon Dive
DIVING
( 09-434 4506;
www.yukon.co.nz
; 2 dives incl full gear $245)
An owner-operator offering
dive trips for a maximum of 12 people at a time.
Tutukaka Surf Experience
SURFING
( 09-434 4135;
www.tutukakasurf.co.nz
;
Marina Rd; 2hr lesson $75)
Runs surf lessons at
9.30am most days in summer and on the weekends otherwise, operating from whichever
beach has the best beginner breaks that day. Also hires surfboards (per day $45) and
stand-up paddle boards (per day $20).
Sleeping
Lupton Lodge
B&B $$$
( 09-437 2989;
www.luptonlodge.co.nz
; 555 Ngunguru Rd; s $125-155, d $170-245; )
The rooms are spacious, luxurious and full of character in this historic homestead (1896),
peacefully positioned in farmland halfway between Whangarei and Ngunguru. Wander
the orchard, splash around the pool or shoot some snooker in the guest lounge.
Pacific Rendezvous
MOTEL $$$
