The harbourside Northland town of Mangawhai is the ideal base for Fishmeister’s fishing charters and it offers a wide range of activities to round out your trip.
Mangawhai is an easy and scenic drive from both Auckland and Whangarei and it packs a lot into a small space.
Life in Mangawhai revolves around the harbour. Mangawhai Village sits at its estuary base while Mangawhai Heads is at the harbour entrance and is connected to the village area via a causeway.
Mangawhai means the stream of the stingray and its namesake can be frequently seen in the harbour. Mangawhai’s sand dunes are home to some of NZ’s most endangered birds such as the New Zealand Fairy Tern.
Things to do in Mangawhai
Here’s a selection of activities for when you’re not out fishing with us.
Golf – Mangawhai’s 18 hole golf course is widely acknowledged as one of the best in New Zealand.
Walking – there’s a reason Mangawhai is known as the walking capital of Northland and there are a number of outstanding walking tracks open all year round as well as the annual walking weekend in March.
Swimming – the harbour offers sheltered swimming conditions while the beach offers surf. Mangawhai Heads volunteer lifeguards patrol on weekends and public holidays only from Labour Weekend to April.
Surfing and paddleboarding – if you’re a keen surfer or paddleboarder, don’t forget to pack your gear. If you need lessons or want to hire a board and wet suit, talk to Aotearoa Surf.
For the kids – Mangawhai Activity Zone has a bike track, multi sports court, playground and skate park.
Museum – Mangawhai has one of NZ’s best regional museums according to Lonely Planet.
Chocolate – no visit to Mangawhai is complete without stopping at Bennetts, Mangawhai’s chocolatier.
Markets – every Saturday morning in Mangawhai Village.
Art – Mangawhai has become a haven for artists and art can be seen in a number of galleries throughout the area.
Eating out – there’s loads of variety all around Mangawhai, from cafes to restaurants, vineyards to takeaway fish and chips.