Come up for peace and quiet

36°14'58.848''S 174°14'31.831''E

Tinopai

quaint and characterful Townships

The smaller townships of Kaipara offer a blend of history, rural charm, and coastal beauty. The northern shores of Kaipara Harbour are dotted with picturesque villages like Tinopai, Whakapirau, and Pahi - great for fishing, swimming, camping and boat access. Kellys Bay is a hidden gem with calm waters and peaceful holiday baches. Ruawai, the kumara capital, sits along the Northern Wairoa River surrounded by rich farmland. Te Kōpuru, once a thriving kauri milling town, retains its heritage charm. Take a drive around and you’ll find character, history and refreshing peace and quiet at every turn.

Central Kaipara and the harbour

With historic hotels, classic old boats and jetties, and stunning scenery, central Kaipara and the northern shores of the harbour are a photographers dream…

People swimming and playing near the base of a waterfall in a lush, green canyon with rocky walls and dense vegetation.

Maungatūroto

Maungatūroto is a charming rural town with heritage buildings, boutique shops, and a strong community spirit. Visit The Den for antiques, enjoy a meal at Ollies Café & Grocer, or explore the Otamatea Marae. Nearby, Piroa Falls offers a scenic bush walk to a stunning waterfall.

An aerial view of a rural landscape with rolling green hills, scattered houses, roads, and a body of water in the distance under a partly cloudy sky.

Paparoa

For fresh produce visit the Paparoa Farmers’ Market (every Saturday from 9am til noon), or explore the Paparoa Pa site walk. You can enjoy a coffee at one of the local cafés or stock up on supplies at the historic Paparoa store. Nearby, the Kauri Bushman’s Walk showcases native forest and kauri trees.

A lakeside scene with a wooden pier extending into calm water, a white boathouse on the right, a sandy shoreline, and a tree with overhanging branches in the foreground. Hills with houses and a partly cloudy sky are in the background.

Whakapirau

Whakapirau, a historic coastal village on the Kaipara Harbour, features a sheltered swimming beach, historic wharf, and stunning harbour views. Once a bustling port, it’s now a peaceful retreat ideal for boating, fishing and picnicking. Nearby, the Old Presbyterian Church reflects its colonial past.

A scenic aerial view of a lakeside community with houses, a pier extending into the water, lush green trees, rolling hills in the background, and partially cloudy skies.

Tinopai

The Tinopai Wharf is a popular spot for fishing and swimming, while the concrete boat ramp provides easy access for launching boats. The small marina offers sheltered mooring, making Tinopai a great base for boaties looking to explore the Kaipara Harbour.

Aerial view of a coastal landscape with a harbor filled with sailboats and motorboats, a small town on a hillside, and rolling green hills in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

HIGHLIGHTS

Pahi

Pahi, a picturesque village on the Kaipara Harbour, is known for its historic wharf, excellent fishing and iconic Moreton Bay fig tree. A popular spot for boaties and seafood lovers, it hosts the annual Pahi Regatta and offers a relaxed, waterfront escape for an hour, a day or a weekend!

The West Coast is full of charming towns and villages but there are many other gems that you can stop and explore as you cruise around the region…

West and northern kaipara

Aerial view of a small town with houses and lush green fields, a road running through the center, and a large water body in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Ruawai

Ruawai, known as the "Kumara Capital of New Zealand," is surrounded by fertile floodplains, and is a hub for kumara farming and dairy production. The Ruawai Wharf offers boating and fishing access to the Kaipara Harbour, while the stopbank walk provides scenic harbour views.

Beach with low tide, wooden pier, ocean, hillside with houses, partly cloudy sky

Kellys Bay

Kellys Bay is a small coastal community with a sheltered swimming beach, boat ramp,and excellent fishing spots. It’s popular for kayaking, picnicking, and holiday baches, offering a peaceful retreat with fabulous harbour views and calm waters.

Aerial view of a coastal town with houses on green hills and a sandy beach with cliffs.

HIGHLIGHTS

west coast wilderness

Glinks Gully offers exhilarating beach driving and fishing, while Baylys Beach is perfect for long, windswept walks and sunset horse rides. Explore Ripiro Beach - the longest drivable beach in New Zealand - or venture to the remote, windswept shores of Pouto Peninsula, where the historic lighthouse stands guard.