Quick Facts
Our Verdict
Northland is where New Zealand begins — Cape Reinga at the very tip, Ninety Mile Beach stretching impossibly far, the Bay of Islands (its own destination), and ancient kauri trees that were old when Rome fell. It is warm, uncrowded outside peak season, and full of both Maori history and natural spectacle.
Families who love beach walks, history, and genuinely off-the-beaten-track NZ
Families who need packed activity schedules — Northland rewards slow travel
Top Northland Family Activities
| Activity | Price (family 4) | Min age | Rain-safe | Must-do? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Reinga Lighthouse | Free — walking track to the tip | 3+ | — | Yes | Book |
| Ninety Mile Beach sandboarding | $85-120/person via tour | 5+ | — | Yes | Book |
| Kauri Museum (Matakohe) | $20/adult, $5/child | 6+ | ✓ | — | Book |
| Waitangi Treaty Grounds | $40/adult, free under 15 | 8+ | ✓ | Yes | Book |
| Hokianga Harbour dunes | $30/person ferry + dune walk | 5+ | — | — | Book |
| Waipoua Forest — Tane Mahuta kauri | Free, guided tours from $60/person | 4+ | — | Yes | Book |
Prices are indicative. Book via Bookme.co.nz for discounts up to 40%.
Free Things to Do in Northland with Kids
- ✓ Cape Reinga walkway — 30-min return to the very tip of NZ (where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean)
- ✓ Ninety Mile Beach driving (4WD only at most points, but free to walk and watch)
- ✓ Mangawhai Heads beach walk and estuary
- ✓ Waipoua Forest — Tane Mahuta (Lord of the Forest kauri tree) is free to walk to
- ✓ Rawene village and Hokianga Harbour views
- ✓ Opononi and Omapere beaches on Hokianga Harbour
Rainy Day Options — Northland
3-Day Northland Family Itinerary
A structured day-by-day plan — adjust to your pace.
Auckland to Northland — Kauri Forest and Hokianga
~$100-180- Drive from Auckland north (2.5h to Waipoua)
- Tane Mahuta walkway — see the largest living kauri tree in NZ (free, 10-min walk)
- Hokianga Harbour — ferry to Omapere sand dunes
- Night at Rawene or Opononi
Far North — Cape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach
~$120-250- Drive north to Kaitaia (1h 30m from Hokianga)
- Optional: join a Cape Reinga day tour (includes Ninety Mile Beach sandboarding, $85-120/person)
- Cape Reinga lighthouse walk — 30 minutes return, the spiritual departure point of Maori souls
- Te Paki Stream — body boards down the stream outlet to the beach (bring your own or hire)
Doubtless Bay and Karikari Peninsula
~$50-100- Matai Bay — double beach, protected water, perfect for young swimmers
- Mangonui fish and chip shop — one of NZ's most famous fish and chip shops, eat on the wharf
- Drive south back to Auckland or continue to Bay of Islands
Want a longer trip? See our full NZ family itineraries with day-by-day plans up to 10 days.
Compare Campervans for This Trip →Where to Stay in Northland with Kids
Northland TOP 10 Holiday Parks
Holiday Park $50-180/night- Modern facilities
- Playgrounds
- Camp kitchens
- Powered sites
Mangawhai Heads holiday park
Holiday Park $40-140/night- Beach access
- Estuary swimming
- Family cabins
Northland Family Holiday Budget
Northland Family FAQ
Is Cape Reinga worth the drive with kids?
Yes, genuinely — but it is a long day from Paihia (4h return driving) or an even longer day from Auckland. The tip of NZ where two oceans meet is a genuinely moving experience, and the Ninety Mile Beach sandboarding on the way back is a family highlight. Join an organised day tour rather than self-driving — the tour takes the beach route which is only accessible to experienced 4WD drivers.
What is the best base for a Northland family holiday?
Paihia (Bay of Islands) works for the southern Northland attractions. For the Far North (Cape Reinga, Doubtless Bay), base at Kaitaia or Mangonui. For Hokianga and Waipoua Forest, base at Opononi. A 4-5 day Northland loop starting and ending in Auckland covers all the main areas.
Hidden Gems — Northland
Stuff the guidebooks miss — local knowledge from NZ families who've done it properly.
- 🔍 Matai Bay (Karikari Peninsula) — two beaches facing different directions, protected water perfect for kids, barely signposted
- 🔍 Tokerau Beach on Karikari Peninsula — one of NZ's finest beaches, almost deserted outside New Year
- 🔍 Wenderholm Regional Park — first regional park south of Whangarei, beautiful beach and pohutukawa trees
- 🔍 Pukenui wharf — a humble fishing wharf where locals catch snapper right off the dock, kids can watch or try their luck
- 🔍 Matauri Bay — stunning beach where the Rainbow Warrior wreck sits offshore (visible by snorkel)
- 🔍 Waipu Caves — glowworm cave you can self-explore with a torch, $5 entry, virtually unknown
Connect with NZ Families — Facebook Groups
Real advice from NZ parents — trip reports, questions, and recommendations. Join before you go.
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Also Consider
Bay of Islands
144 islands, dolphins, sailing, and New Zealand's birthplace — all in one bay
$250–450/day · Ages All agesCoromandel
Hot Water Beach, Cathedral Cove, and some of NZ's most beautiful beaches within 2.5 hours of Auckland
$180–320/day · Ages All agesAll Destinations →
Compare all 14 NZ family destinations side by side.