Come up to historic Dargaville

35°57'30.41''S 173°51'49.073.''E

Dargaville

the industrial hub of kaipara

Located on the banks of the Northern Wairoa River, Dargaville is a town rich in kauri gum-digging, timber, and agricultural history. Once a booming kauri milling hub in the late 19th century, it attracted a diverse population, including many Dalmatian settlers, who helped shape the region’s culture. Today, Dargaville is a laid-back rural town, known as New Zealand’s kumara capital, producing most of the country’s sweet potatoes. Visitors can explore the Dargaville Museum, cruise the Kaipara Harbour, or visit nearby Kai Iwi Lakes and Baylys Beach, making it a gateway to Northland’s west coast adventures.

Calm river or lake with mist, tall grass along the shore, weathered wooden posts, and cloudy sky.

Northern Wairoa River

The Northern Wairoa River is the heart of Dargaville, once a key transport route for kauri logs and gum. Today, it offers scenic boat cruises, kayaking, and fishing, with stunning views of farmland, wetlands, and historic sites, reflecting the town’s rich maritime and agricultural heritage.

A small town street with parked cars on both sides, shops and businesses lining the street, and striped power lines hanging across the road from tall poles in the center of the street.

Shopping and Eateries

Dargaville offers a mix of quirky shops and cosy eateries, from antique stores and local art galleries to boutique cafés and bakeries. Enjoy a delicious kiwi pie from Blah Blah Blah Café, indulge in a classic pub meal in the Northern Wairoa or Central Hotel, or grab a healthy option at the Good Life Store, all in a welcoming, small-town atmosphere.

Lighthouse and dolphin sculpture on a grassy hill with trees and sky in the background during sunset.

Dargaville Museum

Dargaville Museum showcases the region’s rich kauri gum, timber, and maritime history, featuring shipwreck relics, Māori artifacts, and Dalmatian heritage exhibits, plus the famous Rainbow Warrior masts, all with stunning Kaipara Harbour views.

View from a locomotive on a rural train track with green fields and trees on either side, and tracks stretching into the distance under a clear blue sky.

Dargaville Rail Tours

Dargaville Rail Tours offer a unique self-drive rail experience, taking visitors along historic railway tracks with stunning Kaipara River views, lush farmland and native bush, providing a fun, scenic adventure on converted rail carts.

A person standing on a rocky hilltop with a metal cross monument, overlooking green rolling fields and distant hills under a partly cloudy sky.

Tokatoka Peak Lookout

Tokatoka Peak, a striking volcanic plug, rises sharply from the Kaipara Plains, offering a short but steep climb to breathtaking 360-degree views of the Northern Wairoa River and surrounding farmland. This iconic Northland landmark is rich in Māori history and a must-visit for adventurers and photographers.

A scenic landscape featuring a mountain with lush green trees and shrubs, a small pond reflecting the blue sky, and a grassy field with a fence and a few trees.

Maungaraho Rock Reserve

Maungaraho Rock Reserve is a dramatic volcanic outcrop just outside of Dargaville, offering fabulous views and stunning native bush. A short walk leads to the base, where energetic climbers can tackle the rugged ascent and enjoy panoramic views of the central Kaipara region.

People walking on a sandy beach near cliffs with a mountain in the distance and cloudy sky.

NEXT STOP

Your Gateway to west coast adventures

Just a short drive from Dargaville is the wild west coast of Kaipara - a rugged paradise of windswept beaches, towering dunes and mountainous surf.