Dargaville, situated on the bank of the Northern Wairoa River in the Northland Region of New Zealand, is located 55 kilometers (~34 mi) southwest of Whangarei. The town is named after timber merchant and politician Joseph Dargaville (1837–1896) and was founded during the 19th-century kauri gum and timber trade boom, and became famous for its thriving gum digging and kauri logging businesses.
1. Kai Iwi Sand Lakes
The Kai Iwi Lakes are notable for the pristine fine sands and clear warm water. Only about 1.6 km (1 mi) or so from the western coast, the lakes lie in a sheltered valley. It is nothing but sheer awesomeness to have a natural place like this in New Zealand where spending an entire day at the largest lake can be spiritually rewarding. The water is beautiful and calm, with warm shallows and sapphire tones framed within a pristine white sand beach, lending a perfect setting for a day out with the family and friends. The sand is very fine for a lake, and resembles a beach in paradise. There is not much shade at the lake, so make sure you come prepared with sun protection. Young kids will definitely enjoy the calm water and the shallow slope into the water, as it is safe to play in it the entire day without the fear of any shark or stingrays to wreak havoc.
Head towards the east side of the lake and walk up the hill if you desire an amazing view of the lake. Camp here at Promenade Point Kai Iwi Lake for a fabulous time with your loved ones. You can also watch movies in the open air on some evenings. There is a huge campsite for those who would like to stay, but you have to pay for it per person. This is a great place to go for a day or stay and camp for a few days! Set up your tent in the camp ground. The camp site is very clean and well maintained.
During the summer, the lake gets pretty busy with people and boats. It also tends to be busy during holidays and weekends throughout the year. The remoteness of Lake Kai Iwi keeps numbers of visitors from getting too large as it is nestled in the valley.
Kai Iwi Sand lakes
Website: Kai Iwi Sand lakes
2. Dargaville Museum
Established in 1985, the Dargaville Museum has continued to grow over the years to become a captivating and a must-see destination when visiting Dargaville. With its location overlooking the Northern Wairoa River, the museum now has 1,800 square meters (19375 sq. ft) of exhibition space.
The museum narrates the tale of its formation followed by its development through the years from shipwreck remnants recovered from the coast to the masts of the ill-fated Greenpeace protest ship, Rainbow Warrior, and from the 16-meter-long (52.5 ft) pre-European Maori canoe. It also features a newly built replica of a gum diggers camp, information about the gum industry, indigenous history, immigration, and the largest collection of accordions and typewriters ever seen. The museum delivers a number of outstanding exhibits to interest the entire family.
The staff are friendly and communicate with visitors about the subject to complement the displays. Next to the museum is the Vintage Machinery Club & Museum run by local enthusiasts. Their Crank Up Days are worth a visit if you are passing through.
The museum entry of 15 AUD (11.34 USD) per adult may feel a tad bit expensive but after more than 2 – 3 hours of wandering around the museum, being totally immersed, you would have had your money’s worth for sure.
Dargaville Museum
Website: Dargaville Museum
3. Trounson Kauri Park
Trounson is a magical kauri park (kauri is a type of conifer tree found in NZ) — a walk through it is not to be missed. It is a great little trail in a natural woodland that will assist you in appreciating the native forest while admiring the different aged kauri trees. Don’t expect tiny trees in these woods; however, the sight of these majestic trees will impress you without any doubt. Rejuvenate yourself with this beautiful and tranquil stroll amongst these titans of nature, the kauri trees. Inhale the clean air and listen to the gentle sounds of the woodland and watch your stress melt away.
If you are interested in kauri trees, this is a great park where you will see hundreds of kauri trees during the course of the 1.7 km (1.05 mi) walk, much of which is on boardwalk. The place is very well maintained; the grounds and facilities are super clean and contemporary while the river is great for swimming. All visitors are advised to clean the bottom of their shoes before entering the forest, serving to prevent kauri die-back caused by disease. The walk through the forest is on a raised walkway, a necessary action taken to protect the roots of the kauri trees from being tamped upon. There is a different view each turn of the track and the whole walk is easy. There are tons of information boards and a speaker system to inform you along the way.
It is almost an enchanted experience to hear the native birds singing, while inhaling the scent of the dense native bush. You will love hearing the calls of the wild kiwi in the night, and if you’re lucky, you might see one as well!! Local guides who are extremely knowledgeable and pleasant are stationed in the park for your assistance.
Trounson Kauri Park is a lovely place to visit if you like forests, bird life, and nature.
Trounson Kauri Park
Website: Trounson Kauri Park
4. The Kumara Box Drive
The Kumara Box is a must visit destination if you are visiting Dargaville. Kumara are New Zealand’s sweet potatoes and are an important crop grown in Dargaville. At Kumara Box, learn about the local sweet potatoes called the kumara, understand how these kumaras arrived in Dargaville, and learn more about how the crop it is grown and distributed. Encounter the owners and relish their wonderful hospitality in a fun, family-friendly environment.
You will get the opportunity to learn the history, Maori traditional stories, and farming methods, get to sample kumara scones and appreciate Dargaville’s hospitality at its finest starting with a wonderful cup of welcome tea, fresh fruit, kumara soup, and sausage rolls.
The Kumara Box is a fanciful little place, and the owner, Warren Suckling, is a successful kumara farmer who passionately shares his enthusiasm for sweet potatoes. Thereafter, you will be taken on a wonderful drive in their mini road train towards a corner of the farm that has some amazing quirky art deco items and the smallest church in New Zealand.
Kumara Box Drive
Website: Kumara Box Drive
5. The Woodturners Kauri Gallery and Studio
Stumble upon this woodcarver’s shop and spend around an hour or so admiring the various artifacts created using kauri wood. The studio is extremely humble when you drive up, rustic at best. But when you enter the interior of the gallery, you are greeted with all the lovely displays of bowls, plates, and sculptures.
You learn a brief history on how the art studio started and where the wood is sourced from. The pieces are stunning and the craftsmanship is inimitable. If you’d like to purchase one of the beautiful carvings, they are willing to ship the items to your home address if you wish. You may or may not want to purchase the crafts, but it does make for a fun use of your time.
Although expensive, the items for sale are beautifully made and you can’t help but marvel and appreciate the art in making something from nature. This is a great place to see what a tree can hide behind its rugged exterior. The Woodturners Kauri Gallery and Study is well worth a visit, even if you are just looking.
Woodturners Kauri Gallery and Studio
Website: Woodturners Kauri Gallery and Studio
6. Dargaville Rail & River Tours
Take a trip on the Dargaville railway — clattering along relishing the scenery and the company of good friends. Have a great adventure and experience the countryside on this old railway line in Dargaville that drives modified golf buggies over old bridges, through dairy cattle farms and through pretty countryside for a couple of hours.
This is not a great option for young children as it’s too long and they might become cranky. However, adults can enjoy the trip and the hosts see to it that the trip is kept interesting the entire way, stopping at farms and the odd road to make for an enjoyable trip.
Take a break while they turn the cars around whilst quenching your thirst with the coffee and tea provided alongside homemade scones and biscuits. The vistas are a delight and you are made aware of your surroundings while learning along the way to identify farms as they pass by. You’ll have an explanation on the way and learn something about the area. Some of the track is through farmlands but the majority is alongside the Wairoa River making it very pleasant trip. It is an amazing thing to do travelling on the old, disused rail track, which makes for a stimulating, enjoyable, and relaxing trip. The transformed golf carts travel along the tracks following one another through farmland and alongside State 16 and past the Northern Wairoa River.
This is a great way to spend a few hours.
Dargaville Rail & River Tours
Website: Dargaville Rail & River Tours
7. Tokatoka Peak
Takatoka Peak is an excellent hiking option for those visiting Dargaville, but who might not be interested in a long, strenuous hike. The climb is easy to begin with but eventually the incline become increasingly steep in the last few meters. The hike only takes about 20 minutes to reach the summit as Tokatoka is just 179 meters (587 ft) above sea level. The peak offers some of the best views of Dargaville. Obviously, the reward is getting to the top because of the beautiful views. Keep in mind that mud can slow you down at the bottom of the trail, but the last few meters is steep rock.
Once you reach the top, you are rewarded with spectacular views of the Northern Wairoa River from Dargaville down to the Kaipara Harbor. Other than the Maungaraho Rock, the Tokatoka Peak is the only place in Dargaville to offer a preeminent view of the area. Tokatoka Peak was formerly used as a place for the signal man to watch the ships sailing through Hokianga River from above, but now it is just a special lookout place.
It is advised to not take young kids as the top is devoid of any barricades to prevent them from falling off the cliff. The climb requires a certain degree of agility and fitness to climb to the top; however, it is not that difficult for regular people to achieve, and can be completed in 20 to 30 minutes.
Tokatoka Peak
Website: Tokatoka Peak
Unspoilt and majestic Dargaville
Dargaville is a beautiful town located along the Wairoa River on the North Island of New Zealand. Dargaville has managed to maintain its scenic beauty without being destroyed by the impacts of tourism, farming, or other forms of human destruction. Entering the Kauri Park and climbing the Tokatoki Peak gives you that sense of appreciation and hope that all thing aren’t lost and we still have these beautiful forests and natural lands at hand that we can pass on to future generations.
History
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