Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
breakfast $135/160; )
. This five-room guesthouse sits on groomed 3-acre gardens, ir-
resistible to tui and many other birds. Meals are available by arrangement, as are horse-
trekking, fishing and diving trips. For a meal, try your luck at the mod waterside
Te Kaha
Beach Resort
(
07-325 2830;
www.tekahabeachresort.com
;
3 Hotel Rd, Te Kaha; mains
$25-35;
3-9pm;
)
.
Te Kaha to Whangaparaoa
(Cape Runaway)
A succession of sleepy bays extends from Te Kaha. Towards
Whanarua Bay
, the magic-
130, extra person $35; )
sits in a private rocky cove with views of the sunset and White
Island. The artful buildings blend weathered timber, corrugated iron and paua inlay to
great effect. There are two double B&B rooms, and a two-bedroom self-contained bach,
perfect for two to four people.
Nearby, heaven is a tub of homemade macadamia and honey ice cream at
Pacific
Coast Macadamias
( 07-325 2960;
www.macanuts.co.nz
;
SH35, Whanarua Bay; snacks $3-9;
10am-3pm, extended hours Dec-Feb)
, with views along one of the most spectacular parts
of the coast. Toasted sandwiches and nutty sweet treats make this a great lunch stop.
Opening hours can be sketchy - call ahead.
Intertwined with ancient pohutukawa trees, the absolute seafront
Maraehako Bay
Retreat
( 07-325 2648;
www.maraehako.co.nz
; SH35, Maraehako Bay; dm/s/d $28/43/66;
)
is a hostel that looks like it was cobbled together from flotsam and jetsam washed up in
the craggy cove. It's rustic, but unique: what it lacks in crossed Ts and dotted Is it more
than makes up for in
manaakitanga
(hospitality). Enjoy a spa under the stars ($5), free
kayaks, as well as fishing charters,
marae
tours and guided walks (and no TV!), all at
reasonable prices. Run by the same
hapu
(subtribe) as the retreat,
Maraehako Camping
Ground
( 07-325 2901; SH35, Maraehako Bay; sites per adult/child $12/8)
offers clean toi-
lets, showers, pohutukawa trees and beachfront nirvana.
At
Papatea Bay
stop to see the gateway of
Hinemahuru Marae
, intricately carved
with images of WWI Maori Battalion soldiers. Nearby
Christ Church Raukokore
(1894) is a sweet beacon of belief on a lonely promontory. There are services at 11am on
Sundays, or the door is usually open at other times (look for the mouse on high).
Waihau Bay
has a petrol pump at its western end, alongside the
Waihau Bay Lodge
(
07-325 3805;
www.thewaihaubaylodge.co.nz
;
Orete Point Rd, Waihau Bay; mains $25-35;
4pm-late Sun-Wed, 2pm-late Thu-Sat)
, an old two-storey timber pub by the pier, serving
hefty meals and with accommodation ranging from campsites ($15) to dorms ($35) and
