Getting around Tutukaka

  • Tutukaka is two and a quarter hours north of the Auckland harbour bridge (depending on traffic). When you reach Whangarei don't take the city centre turnoff but stay on SH1 for another 3-4 Km and take the turn off marked for Tutukaka. Approximately 20 minutes out of Whangarei you will find Tutukaka Block Road turn off to the right just before going in to Tutukaka. Church Bay is only a half a kilometre from this turn off with our holiday home the second house on the left as you enter Church Bay. Refer to google maps on the last page. Click on the blue button to obtain directions from any address. 
  • Tutukaka Marina has a new condominium development. These provide restaurants, cafes and some local shopping including dvds in the superette and an all weather concrete boat ramp.
  • MatapouriIt's official Tutukaka / Poor Knights Islands rates in the top ten places to visit in New Zealand. 20,000 people were suveyed and the list of the top 101 places was published in the NZ Herald 10/2/07. Poor Knights- Rikoriko Cave is the biggest sea cave in the world. A NZ frigate has gone in and turned around inside. There are lots of sea caves and bridges to see. Pick a good day and take your snorkles it is a magnificent day out.
  • Tutukaka is recognised as a mecca for diving and big game enthusiasts with the closest land access to the Poor Knights Islands acknowledged as one of the best diving places in the world.
  • Use of a boat of course provides access to many otherwise inaccessible beautiful pristine white sand beaches.
  • The renowned surf beaches of Sandy Bay, Woolleys Bay and Matapouri are 5-10 minutes drive north of Tutukaka. Our guests from Somerset England enjoyed swimming with the dolphins at Wooleys Bay. Others have swam with dolphins in our own Bay.
  • Whangarei is only 25 minutes away for other shopping and a pleasant café area within the marina harbour.
  • In December 2006 they set up the Discover Tutukaka website as a resource for things to do and places to eat, shop and visit on the Tutukaka coast. Since that time it has attracted over 2500 unique visitors from all over the world; visitor numbers are increasing month on month.
  • Woolley BayTutukaka is perfect for all water based activities. It's a boaties paradise and world renowned big game fishing destination. Many islands can be visited via boat charters e.g the Poor Knights Islands, famous for big game fishing and regarded as one of the world's top five dive spots.
  • Beautiful beaches dot the coastline, from rugged and rocky to sheltered and gentle. Tutukaka harbour hosts the occasional visit by dolphins & seals.
  • There's plenty of rugged unspoilt scenery.Take a walk to the lighthouse on the head of Tutukaka Harbour. A kayak trip to the base of the headland and a 20 minute walk will get you there. A great view is shown on the home page of our web site.
  • There's so much to do: Diving, fishing, parasailing, surfing, windsurfing, kayaking, water skiing, jet skiing, tramping, horse treks, jet boating, escorted cave tours and visits to wildlife refuges, dolphin and whale watch tours, 4x4 quad bike and dune buggy riding are just a few suggestions!

For accomodation on the Tutukaka Coast try the site below:-

http://www.shopenzed.com/xurl/PageID/11549/tutukaka-coast-accommodation-vacancies.html

For great eating out, try:

Saltair (Ngunguru) - cute little cafe with good food and great coffee

Marina Pizzeria (Tutukaka) - Phone 09)434 3166 Rated one of the top pizzerias in the whole of New Zealand, it has a friendly atmosphere, great seating on the edge of the Marina, and a broad menu ( not just pizzas).A nice place for a morning coffee.

Schnappa Rock (Tutukaka) - one of the icons of the Tutukaka Coast, a licensed restaurant and bar, featuring Pacific style food. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner serving great coffee also.

Greens Restaurant (Ngunguru) - Phone 09)434 3997 situated in the Ngunguru Sports Complex, Greens menu is all about good food at a reasonable price.

Ngunguru Takeaways - Phone 09)434 3768 Run by ladies a very nice takeaway place.

Food Stores -Tutukaka General store ph 09)434 4652 Sell general groceries, petrol, DVD hire, bai, post centre etc. Open 7 days

                  -Ngunguru Food Mart ph 09)434 3858 General groceries