Quick Facts
📋 Plan Your Trip to Northland
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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.
How do I get to Cape Reinga with kids?
Most families take a day tour from Paihia or Kaitaia — these typically include Cape Reinga, 90 Mile Beach (including optional sandboarding), and a stop at Te Paki Stream. Self-driving is possible in a regular car (Cape Reinga Road is sealed), but 90 Mile Beach is not recommended for regular vehicles — it's tidal and you can get bogged. Allow a full day from Paihia (7–8 hours total).
Is sandboarding at Te Paki worth it for kids?
Absolutely — Te Paki Stream sand dunes are a highlight that most kids rate as the best thing of the whole holiday. The dunes are massive (150m high) and you can bodyboard down on boogie boards provided by tour operators, or bring your own. The climb up is hard work in soft sand (15–20 min) but the descent is 20 seconds of pure joy. Even most 4-year-olds manage the climb with encouragement. Wear clothes you don't mind getting sandy.
What else is there to do in Northland besides Cape Reinga?
Northland is underrated beyond Cape Reinga. The Bay of Islands is the main hub (Waitangi Treaty Grounds, dolphin cruises, Russell village). Whangarei has the Town Basin, Whangarei Falls (one of NZ's most accessible waterfalls), and the Hundertwasser Art Centre. The Hokianga Harbour and giant kauri trees at Waipoua Forest (including Tāne Mahuta, NZ's largest living kauri) are genuinely special and accessible for all ages.
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.
🎟️ Northland Tours & Experiences
Verified tours from international operators — guided day trips, transfers, and experiences bookable online with free cancellation on most.
✈️ Getting to Northland
Nearest airport: Whangarei (WRE) or Auckland (AKL) + 2h drive
Compare flights on Skyscanner →📬 Get our free Northland packing list & travel tips
Join NZ families planning their next holiday — destination tips, real costs, and hidden gems delivered to your inbox.
Gems Along the Way to Northland
Don't miss these on your way through — detours and stops that are worth every minute.
Whangarei Falls & Town Basin
📍 2 hrs north of Auckland — the main city of NorthlandWhangarei Falls (free, 26m, beautiful) plus a great waterfront precinct with playgrounds and cafés
💡 Tip: Good overnight stop. The Town Basin marina has free electric BBQs and a fab playground. Claphams National Clock Museum is nearby.
Hokianga Harbour & Sand Dunes
📍 2.5 hrs from Auckland via Whangarei — west coast NorthlandAncient kauri forests, the giant Tāne Mahuta kauri tree, and towering sand dunes across the harbour
💡 Tip: Tāne Mahuta (2,000-year-old kauri) is a 5-min walk from the car park in Waipoua Forest. The Hokianga harbour ferry and sand dunes are on the opposite bank.
Te Paki Sand Dunes & Ninety Mile Beach
📍 30 min south of Cape ReingaMassive sand dunes you can toboggan — the biggest sand hill fun in NZ
💡 Tip: Boogie boards (free from tour operators) for sand tobogganing. The beach drive is guided tours only — don't attempt in a rental car.
Bay of Islands
📍 From Kerikeri — the Bay of Islands is here (Paihia, Russell, Waitangi)144 islands, dolphins, Waitangi Treaty Grounds, and the best sailing in NZ
💡 Tip: Hole in the Rock dolphin cruise from Paihia is the must-do. Book online. Dolphins are almost always guaranteed.
Nearby Towns — See More of the Northland Region
Family guides for towns near Northland — from quick day trips to overnight stays.
Whangarei
⭐ 7/10Northland's main city — Whangarei Falls, the Town Basin marina, and the gateway to the Tutukaka Coast.
Family guide →Kerikeri
⭐ 7/10Historic Bay of Islands town — NZ's oldest stone building, rainbow falls, and the heart of the Far North citrus country.
Family guide →Paihia
⭐ 9/10The heart of Bay of Islands — dolphin cruises, the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, and the perfect family base.
Family guide →All NZ City Guides →
Family guides for 33 NZ cities and towns.
In-Depth Northland Family Guides
Detailed activity guides for families visiting Northland — what to do, what to skip, and what works for different ages.
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 19 NZ family destinations side by side.
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