Activities
If you’re looking for things to do in our wonderful
country, why not start at the top? There’s so many activities
to choose from, you may never leave! From “extreme”
undertakings, such as jet skiing, wind and water surfing,
and para-sailing, to more sedentary pursuits, like sunbathing,
swimming and beach and/or forest walking, the Far North has
all you could want……and then some. And it’s
all within easy reach if you make Siesta your home away from
home.
Self-Drive Day Trips
The options available to you, the Siesta guest, for exploring
the wonderful Far North are many. And the sights, attractions
and activities are exceptionally diverse and varied. You could
spend a week here and go somewhere different, or do something
different, each day. And afterward, if asked to choose a favourite,
you could be hard pressed to single out just one. We encourage
you to read this section to get some idea of what the Far
North has to offer. We’d be more than pleased to help
you, in advance or on site, in planning your visit to coincide
with your likes and abilities. Day-trip and half-day-trip
options abound.
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Trips to Cape Reinga
via Coach
If you’re tired of driving, or don’t have a suitable
vehicle, let us book you on a full day's coach tour to New
Zealand's "northernmost point", the famous and breathtaking
Cape Reinga. Depending on the tide, one way of the trip will
be via 90 Mile Beach and you'll either exit or enter the
beach by driving 3km through the dune bordered and picturesque
Te Paki Stream. The Cape itself is an exhilarating experience
where you can easily see the turbulence created where the
Pacific Ocean and Tasman Sea come together. Local coach companies
include Sand Safaris
and Harrison's
Cape Runner.
Harrison’s Cape Runner |
Sand Safaris |
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Personalized
Tours
By far the best way to experience all that the Far North
has to offer is by booking with Phil Cross and his Far
North Outback Adventures. Phil is exceptionally knowledgeable
about the entire area and he can customize your day to fit
your requirements. He can take you to the popular Cape Reinga,
to the remote, deserted and "arctic-like" white
sands of Great Exhibition Bay, to the incredible Kauri forests
at Waipua or Puketi or any place in between. Phil will pick
you up at Siesta and return you there and we'll guarantee
that you'll know a lot more about our area when you get back
than you did when you left!! We’ll also guarantee one
of the most memorable days imaginable!!
Phil explains a beach discovery |
Tea break on Great Exhibition Bay |
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Beach
Activities
Swimming, Walking, Sunbathing, etc.
You're only a 5 minute walk to one of the most awesome beaches
in the world, the famous 90
Mile Beach. This is an expanse that people that live in
densely populated areas can only dream about, but it's yours
to enjoy and experience during your stay at Siesta.
A group “dip” |
A sunset stroll on 90 Mile Beach at Ahipara |
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Surfing
When the surf's up, the waves between Shipwreck Bay west to
Tauroa Point are world class left point breaks. A normal ride
on a good day could be hundreds of metres in length. This
is one of New Zealand's top three surfing beaches. These spectacular
surf breaks are seen easily from all Siesta verandahs. Boards
can be rented at the
Ahipara Adventure Centre.
Shipwreck Bay surfing |
Surfers in front of Siesta |
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Beach Driving
The driving access to 90 Mile Beach is only about a kilometre
away from Siesta. Once you and your 4WD vehicle have safely
entered the beach, be prepared for an unparalleled and exhilarating
experience. You can head north and drive unimpeded for nearly
90 kms and enjoy all that this magnificent and unpopulated
beach has to offer, from roaring surf, to wild horses, to
unimagined photographic opportunities. This is truly the "Mother
of All Beaches"
Splashing in the Wairoa River, Ahipara |
The official “90-Mile Beach Highway |
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Land Yachting
The Adventure
Centre can fix you up with one of these unique vehicles,
sometimes referred to as "blokarts". To emphasize
the uncrowdedness of 90 Mile Beach, these unusual contraptions
can easily catch the winds and safely whisk you up or down
the beach, never having to worry about who or what you might
encounter along the way. These are fast, fun, easy-to-use
and exceptionally compact.
Land Yachting on 90 Mile Beach |
Or, if you prefer, Blo-karting on 90 Mile Beach |
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Shell Collecting
From the desolate beach at Tanutanu, all the way round Tauroa
Point to Shipwreck Bay and 90 Mile Beach, some of New Zealand's
finest shell samples can be collected. Beautiful paua shells
abound, as do turbans, tops, limpets, periwinkles, turrets
and others too numerous to mention.
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Shells collected on
one of the beaches on Tauroa Point |
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Fishing
You'll discover that the Far North is a fisherman's and fisherwoman's
paradise…be it land base reef fishing, surf casting,
long lining, or deep sea game fishing. If it's the latter
in which your interested, let the friendly people at Wildcat
Charters or Stealaway
Charters take you on an exciting, full or partial day
charter on Ahipara Bay/Tasman Sea or other nearby waters.
All gear is provided. Also, local fishing guides and experts
can take you to their favourite "secret" places
for either surf or land base fishing. Or you can just walk
down the hill, make a cast or two and……..who knows?
If you don't have any luck, there are always the ever-present
tuatua clams a few inches below the surface of the sand.
Reef fishing, Tauroa Point |
Surf casting, Ahipara |
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Kayaking and Body Boarding
The Ahipara
Adventure Centre can also fix you up with a sea kayak
or a body or "boogie" board for those of you wishing
to ride the surf of 90 Mile Beach and try a little something
different. A thrill a minute awaits!
Getting ready for some fun |
Kayaking in serene Ahipara Bay |
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Golfing
The challenging links course at the Kaitaia
Golf Club is just 3 kilometres from Siesta. In fact with
binoculars, you can see it clearly. The course is beautifully
situated just beyond the dunes of 90 Mile Beach and you can
enjoy a relaxing, un-crowded 18 holes for only $25. This has
got to be one of the best bargains "around", no
pun intended! Clubs can be rented. The Far North also boasts
of the newly constructed Carrington Farms Golf Club on the
shore of Doubtless Bay on the Karikari Peninsula (40 minutes)
as well as the world renowned Kauri Cliffs Country Club, a
bit over an hour’s drive at Matauri Bay on the east
coast.
Starting a round at KGC |
The links and the sea at Kaitaia Golf Club |
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Quad Biking (ATV)
Don't miss the trip and experience of a lifetime on the
safe and easy to use Quad Bikes (ATV's) offered by Tua
Tua Tours. You will be taken to the famous Ahipara Gumfields
and dunes by the experienced guides provided by Tua Tua Tours.
We've had guests of all ages, teens to mid seventies, embark
on these unique trips and, despite the generation gap, they
all agree that this trip is truly something special. Non-guided
quad trips can also be arranged at the Ahipara
Adventure Centre.
Lined up and ready for take-off |
Headin’ out around the reef |
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Sand
Tobogganing
If you're in the mood for something different, let the Ahipara
Adventure Centre rent you a sand toboggan. We guarantee
it'll be a lot more comfortable than a snow toboggan! You
can see the best sledding dunes clearly from your Siesta Verandah.
For young or old, female………… |
……….or male |
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Hiking
and Trekking
Guided walking tours to many of the area's points of interest
may be arranged by your hosts. Our knowledgeable, interesting
and friendly guide can take you on some exhilarating walks,
several just a stones throw from Siesta. Or, if you prefer,
we can suggest any number of trails which you may explore
on your own.
The nearby Herikino Walkway |
Descending Whangatoatea, adjacent to Siesta |
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Boating
We can arrange the rental of different types and sizes of
boats for cruising some of the safer waters of the Far North.
Or, if you're a New Zealander, bring your own boat! All within
a 45 minute drive, Houhora Harbour, Doubtless Bay, Rangaunu
Harbour, Karikari Bay and Mangonui Harbour can be explored.
All have free launching ramps.
Boat approaching Ahipara |
Boating in the safe waters of Hohoura Harbour |
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Sailing
Enjoy an affordable full day sail on gorgeous Doubtless
Bay on the "Mr Roosevelt", a 42 ft luxury yacht
designed by Laurie Davidson, the designer of America's Cup
winner, "Black Magic". Your skipper and hostess
are the experienced and amicable Danny & Yvonne Simms
of nearby "Teddy
Bear Charters".
The Mr Roosevelt |
Sailing on Doubtless Bay |
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Scenic Flights
If the spirit moves you, why not let the friendly and experienced
pilot of Blue Sky Scenics, the commercial arm of the Kaitaia
Aero Club, show you all or parts of the Far North by air.
There are some unbelievable views that you'll enjoy and we're
sure you'll agree that it looks different from up above. You'll
find that everything is flexible and affordable.
The Foreshore at Ahipara |
Part of the Tauroa sand dunes |
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Extreme
Activities (parasailing, wind surfing, jet skiing, etc)
If you’re young, or young at heart, there’s so
much to do in Ahipara that you may never leave! If you’re
tired of the mundane, try para sailing. If you want to veer
from the middle of the road, perhaps wind surfing will get
you there. Bored? Try a slick ride on a jet ski. Your fire
nearly out? Get hot with a trail bike on the incredible dunes.
Trail biking on the dunes |
Wind surfing on the beach below Siesta |
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Gumfield
Exploration
Visit the sight of what once was a vast Kauri forest which,
according to the geologists and historians, was burned to
the ground about 1000 years ago. The gum that the trees left
spurred a prospecting fever 900 years later that has been
compared to the gold rush of the late 1800's. Even today,
chards of the famous kauri gum can be found within kilometres
from Siesta's front door. Tua
Tua Tours offers a stop at the famous gumfields in conjunction
with their Ahipara sand dune tours. This is sure to include
a stop at the tiny Gumdiggers Museum, located adjacent to
the gumfields.
Fossicking in the gum fields |
The Gumdiggers Museum |
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Cycling
The Ahipara
Adventure Centre carries a full line of mountain bikes
for you to rent. Perfect for cycling up the beach.
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Diving
and Snorkeling
We can arrange a day's scuba dive for our guests. A competent,
experienced and licensed guide will lead you to any of several
of the Far North's underwater wonderlands. Just as popular
is a day's snorkeling in the crystal clear waters at some
of the wonderful area beaches. You'll be amazed at what you
may see!
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