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Where's Tutukaka?
And how to get there
click image to enlargePrepare for something special when you visit the Tutukaka Coast. This is the east coast loop from Whangarei to the riverside village of Ngunguru, the sheltered natural harbor of Tutukaka and the beautiful beaches beyond, rejoining State Highway One at Hikurangi.
Having a car is definitely recommended the best way to get to Tutukaka.
To find the loop from central Whangarei, head for the suburb of Tikipunga. At the Tikipunga shops round-a-bout, go right and follow the signs. Within the first kilometer you pass the impressive Whangarei Falls on your right. Continue through farm and orchard country noting the old stone walls of Glenbervie before descending back to sea level on the upper reaches of the Ngunguru River at Kiripaka.
Ngunguru Village is where the road meets the coast and marks the beginning of the coast's beautiful sandy beaches. Over the hill is Tutukaka.
If you don't have a car the options are limited but if you are arriving in Whangarei by bus, contact us and we can arrange transport for you.
When the road meets the coast at Ngunguru you will drive along the river's edge and estuary before leaving it to go up and over the hill to Tutukaka. This is Matapouri Road (and to reach Tutukaka continue down to the bottom of the hill and turn right).
Before you reach Tutukaka you will come to an intersection with Tutukaka Block Road. This turnoff is on the right and is clearly posted with the signs of various accommodation places (including Malibu Mal's). Once you are on this road you will go down a hill to Church Bay. Continue on past this bay and up the next hill and follow the road down into Kowharewa Bay.
Kowharewa Bay Bay is on your left and the road continues past this bay up the next hill - BUT - BEFORE YOU GO UP THE HILL on the right hand side (just past a white house) you will see a drive way and letter boxes. Make a hard right at this driveway and you will see the sign and the direction to take. We are about 50M down the driveway.
NB: you can not see the lodge from the road and as the sign outside is set back off the road you will need to slow right down at the letterboxes (driveway) before you see it. If you have gone up the hill after Kowharewa Bay you have gone too far.
