Things to Do in Mangawhai
There are many amazing treats in store for you when you visit Mangawhai. While it is true that Mangawhai is a beach and holiday community, it is so much more than that. Here is just a snapshot of some of the great things you can do when visiting Northland and staying at the Tudor Oaks Motel.
Eating Out
Bennetts Café and Chocolatier
www.bennettsofmangawhai.com
Across the road from Tudor Oaks is this fabulous French inspired building with its café, gelato shop and chocolateir – a must to visit for any chocolate lover. View chocolate being made and sample the delights of handcrafted chocolate.
Mangawhai Tavern
www.mangawhaitavern.co.nz
The Tavern features live music every weekend and a full list of entertainment is listed under events. They are open for lunch or dinner in their Estuary Bistro which is the only waterfront venue in Mangawhai.
Sail Rock Cafe Bar & Restaurant
www.sailrockcafe.co.nz
Sail Rock Cafe, Bar & Restaurant is an iconic cafe at the Wood Street shops at Mangawhai Heads. For the past 20 years Sail Rock has consistently been delivering to local and international visitors. They serve award winning Bica Coffee; a coffee that is locally roasted in the Kaipara District.
Their signature dish is salt & pepper squid. This gourmet delight was highly recommended by Lonely Planet in 2006, 2008 and 2010. “A wonderful local eatery that takes justified pride in it’s Salt & Pepper squid, a dish that provokes an almost-religious experience in many a diner”. Sail Rock is open 7 days and 7 nights during summer and closed on Wednesday evenings during winter.
Smashed Pipi Cafe, Resturant & Bar
www.smashedpipicafe.co.nz
The Smashed Pipi Café & Bar is at 40 Moir Street, Mangawhai. Located in the heart of Mangawhai village, the Smashed Pipi offers a great array of breakfast, brunch, lunch and evening meal options. They specialise in pizzas and most of their cooked food is prepared in a wood-fired oven. They serve counter food, have a blackboard menu in the cafe, occasional live music in the bar, and vibrant ceramics and glassware in the attached gallery.
Frog and Kiwi French Restaurant
www.facebook.com/FrogAndKiwiRestaurant
Eat superb French cuisine in a child-friendly cafe. At the Frog and Kiwi a French couple serve excellent French food, provide very good service and offer a chance to step into a true French cafe for a couple of hours. They serve classic, seasonal and degustation menus. You can find them at 6 Molesworth Drive Mangawha or phone (09) 431 4439.
Q Cafe & Restaurant & Pizzeria
Q Cafe
Q Cafe offers everything from coffee to a great meals in the Mangawhai area. You can find them at Shop 5 & 6, 41 Moir St, Mangawhai. If you BYO (bring you own wine) and take your empty bottles home with you, you will not have to pay any corkage fees.
They are open from 8am-8pm Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, till 8.30 pm on Fridays and from 8:00 am – 9:00 pm on Saturdays. Q cafe is closed on Mondays.
Sandbar – Licensed Restaurant & Cafe
https://www.facebook.com/sandbarmangawhai
Where the locals meet to eat at Mangawhai Heads. An ever-evolving menu using fresh, locally sourced and produced ingredients and they also serve all New Zealand wines with a strong focus on local producers.
Whether you are looking for a quiet afternoon drink in the Northland sun out in their courtyard, a coffee and a light bite to eat on the couch by the fireplace, or an A La Carte experience, Sandbar can accommodate you. Drop in at 7 Wood Street, Mangawhai Heads, Mangawhai.
Vineyards and Olive Groves
Millars Vineyard
http://millarswines.co.nz
Nestled into the coastal foothills of the Brynderwyn range and surrounded by picturesque rural views of vineyards and olive groves you will find this small family owned and operated boutique vineyard.
You are welcome to taste their wines at the cellar door, wander through the vineyard, enjoy a game of petanque, or just relax and enjoy yourself. Go to 26 Bush Lane Mangawhai or phone 09 431 4326 or 0275 341 456 for more information.
Echo Valley Olives
www.echovalleyolives.co.nz
Echo Valley Olives was established at Mangawhai in December 2002. Go to 59 Echo Valley Road Mangawhai or call (09) 4314118 for more information.
Estuary Vineyard
www.estuarywines.co.nz
Estuary Vineyard is named after the Mangawhai Estuary. Kingsview Estate is where they produce quality wines under their Estuary name. To buy wine you can contact them by phone on 09 431 4750 or check out 381 King Rd RD2, Mangawhai.
Lochiel Estate
http://www.lochielestate.co.nz
Just inland from Mangawhai Heads in the foothills of the Brynderwyn Ranges is this beautiful piece of land that produces world class wine. Their wines can be bought directly from the cellar door or ordered by phone on 09 4314554. You can find them at 60 Brook Lane, Mangawhai Heads.
Te Whai Bay Wines
http://www.tewhaibaywines.co.nz
A boutique vineyard nestled in the foothills of the Brynderwyn range in the Mangawhai wine region. The vineyard is in a valley described as Northland’s Tuscanny. You can buy wines from their cellar door at 367 King Rd Mangawhai. They are open weekends and holidays from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm or you can call to arrange a tasting.
Markets & Fairs
Mangawhai Market
https://sites.google.com/site/mangawhailibraryhall/home/saturday/saturday-morning-market
The Mangawhai Saturday Morning Market runs every Saturday from 9 a.m till 1p.m with a variety of goods and services. A great place to stock up on organic produce (including wine and olive oil). The market is held in the library hall in Mangawhai Village.
The Mangawhai Beach & Country Market is held from mid-October to Easter on Sunday mornings from 9am – 1pm in the Domain, Mangawhai Heads.
Annual Mangawhai Community Gala
https://sites.google.com/site/mangawhaidomain
Held in the Mangawhai Domain each year on January the 2nd, the gala has entertainment, rides and about 200 market stalls, food, dog shows and much more for all ages. Great involvement of both the local and visitor communities. Entrance including parking is only $8.00 per family.
Mangawhai Beach School Agricultural Gala Day
http://www.mangawhaibeach.school.nz/
The school gala day is held every Labour weekend in October on Saturday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. A fabulous day of fun and activities with lamb and calf judging, volcano run, cake stalls, quick fire raffles, food, entertainment and lots more!
You can find the beach school at Insley Street, Mangawhai.
Fishing, Diving, Boat Charter
Ridgeback Fishing & Dive Charters
www.fishing-diving.co.nz
Experience an unforgettable day fishing, diving or sightseeing from a well equipped charter boat. Departing from Mangawhai, their experienced guides can show you the best fishing spots and dive sites.
Your skipper, Gordon, is a PADI certified PADI Dive Master who has fished and dived in Bream Bay for 20 years. Gordon will endeavour to ensure your fishing or dive trip as rewarding and as comfortable as possible.
Surfing and Paddling
Aotearoa Surf – Surfing, Paddleboarding, SUP, Kayaking, Lessons, Tours, Hire
http://www.aotearoasurf.co.nz
Aotearoa Surf are open for business 12 months of the year offering group lessons, private lessons and after school surfing programmes. They offer special rates for groups, friends and families, special events and corporate surfing, paddleboarding activities. Aotearoa Surf School make learning to surf safe, easy and fun.
At their base in Te Arai they have a large range of quality surfboards, stand up paddle boards, kayaks and wetsuits available for hire. For more information phone Che on (09) 431 5760 or 021 442 163 or see all of their scheduled activities online http://www.aotearoasurf.co.nz/events
Blue Adventures – Kitesurfing and SUP Lessons & Tours
www.blueadventures.co.nz
The best way to start your kitesurfing is by getting some quality lessons. Kitesurfing lessons are run in small groups so the IKO-quallified instructor can tailor the lessons to your individual learning needs. All kitesurfing gear, wetsuits and booties are provided. Bookings are essential.
Want to master your paddle technique? Try a 1 hour stand up paddle boarding lesson. They have lessons for beginner and advanced paddleboarders. You can learn everything you need to know about this addictive sport or you could try one of their exciting SUP tours for beginner and experienced paddleboarders. Phone Tony Carr on 022 630 5705 for more information.
Cycling
Wined About Cycling Tours
www.winedabout.co.nz
Enjoy a cycle around Mangawhai village and Mangawhai Heads to enjoy the local wineries, orchards, olive groves, chocolate factory, art and craft venues and other boutique outlets. Various tours are available and you can even choose where to start and finish. All rides are easy.
Wined About Tours will also pick up wine, chocolate, or any other items purchases you make during your ride. All bicycles are hired out with helmets, locks, bags and carriers. Call 09 945 0580 for more details or to book a ride!
Mangawhai Rayders
http://www.bikenorthland.co.nz/mangawhai-rayders
Rides on Sunday morning at 8:30am leave from the Smashed Pipi Tavern. Join them for a social ride or training session. (See the calendar on the website for the next ride.)
The Mangawhai Rayders is a cycle club catering for the road cyclists in Mangawhai. The club is run by locals and encourage all levels to come and join them for a ride. Everyone welcome – from the beginner rider to the experienced rider.
Walking and Hiking
Catered Coast Walks
http://www.cateredcoastwalks.co.nz/
Enjoy great walks in Coastal Northland and eat, stay and walk in paradise at beautiful Langs Beach. Recommended by the New Zealand Herald as a “Gourmet Outdoor Destination for Walkers” Catered Coast Walks is a fully catered, two or three day coastal walking adventure, either guided or unguided.
The walks explore the spectacular and hidden coastline of the Bream Bay and Mangawhai areas of Northland. For more information phone (09) 4321 124.
Mangawhai Walks
http://www.mangawhai.co.nz/WHAT+TO+DO/Mangawhai+Walks.html
A series of 10 interesting walks that are either partially or completely off-road. Much of the estuary edge can be walked from half tide. There are a number of pedestrian access points to the harbour and estuary by way of stairs and tracks.
Mangawhai Walking Weekend
www.mangawhaiwalkingweekend.co.nz
Stretch those legs on the last weekend in March! A weekend of fun and activity. Thirty walks over two days are on offer in the district of Mangawhai prepared and planned by 80 guides for your enjoyment.
70 local artists also prepare especially for the Art Trail that is also held in Mangawhai over this weekend.
Mangawhai Golf
Mangawhai Golf Club
www.mangawhaigolf.co.nz
Situated near the coast in Mangawhai, the Mangawhai Golf Club has consistently been regarded as one of the top courses in New Zealand. An excellent course in both winter and summer. Due to its sandy base, weather does not affect Mangawhai, even during the wettest winters. Find them at 221 Molesworth Driveor call 09-4314807.
Museums and Artists
Mangawhai Museum
www.mangawhai-museum.org.nz
The Mangawhai Museum takes you back in time to meet the earliest pioneers of the area and learn how they developed the area from wild bush country into lush dairy grazing. Find out about the role Mangawhai’s harbour has played in the area’s rich and varied history.
The museum is in Moir Street, Mangawhai Village and is open on Saturday mornings from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Other visiting times can be made by arrangement. Ph John Bull 09 431 4662.
Mangawhai Artists
http://www.mangawhaiartists.co.nz/Artists.cfm
Check out the artists’ website to discover the Mangawhai artists and find out how, when and where you can view their work.
Mangawhi has over 80 talented artists tucked away in studios all over the district: discover painters, photographers, jewellery makers, wood carvers, sculptors, weavers, and other artists. You can see their work in local galleries, Saturday markets and exhibitions organised by the group.