Mangonui

We are located in Doubtless Bay on the Twin Coast Discovery Highway touring route and we are an ideal base for visiting the best of Northland - from Bay of Islands to Cape Reinga. Misty River Lodge is just six kilometres from the centre of Mangonui village. There are beautiful swimming beaches at Coopers Beach and Cable Bay and there is a full range of shops in Mangonui and Coopers Beach. There are boat launching ramps nearby at Mill Bay and Taipa. For more information about this area, visit Doubtless Bay Online.

How to get here

There are one or two daily return flights from Auckland to Kaitaia Airport (about a half hour drive away) and four or five daily return flights to Kerikeri (Bay of Islands) Airport (about 45 minutes drive) operated by Air New Zealand Link. There is a daily bus service to and from Auckland which sets down in Mangonui. Rental cars are available at both Kaitaia and Kerikeri Airports.

Travelling here by car by the direct route using State Highway 1 and State Highway 10, the journey time from Auckland airport is about four and a half hours without stops. Travelling the Twin Coast Discovery Highway - a world-class touring route leaving from, and returning to, Auckland - requires at least two days in each direction to visit the many interesting and beautiful attractions along the way. Visit Go Northwest for more information.

Coming from Bay of Islands by State Highway 10, pass by the turn to Taupo Bay and the next major turn to the right, before you reach Mangonui Harbour, is signposted Hihi. Immediately after this junction, Midgley Road is on the left. Continue for two kilometres and you will see the sign and turn in to Misty River Lodge on the right.


Map of our location

Click on the buttons of the interactive map below to zoom in or zoom out and click on the marker to get driving instructions.

Places to visit and activities

Historic Mangonui village is situated on the edge of Mangonui Harbour. Once a bustling whaling and trading port, many of the historic buildings today house restaurants, cafes, post office and gift shops. Fine dining is available at The Galley Restaurant and Waterfront Cafe. The famous Mangonui Fish Shop offers some of the best fish and chips in the country.

Around the corner from Mangonui is Mill Bay, an artist's dream with its backdrop of the dominating Rangikapiti Pa and its yachts and boats. At Coopers Beach there is fine dining at Coopers Cafe and shops of all kinds, take-away food, plus a medical centre and pharmacy.

Karikari Peninsula is the playground for those who just love beaches and is perfect for young families or fishermen. Starting just 15 kilometres west of Mangonui, each beach or bay has its own distinct personality and special character.

These vary from sheltered bays with fine white sand, such as the idyllic Matai Bay, to rugged rocky coastline with pounding surf. Relax and soak up the sun in this subtropical paradise. Carrington Club is a world-class golf resort with fine dining and award-winning Karikari Estate Winery is the most northerly in New Zealand.

Historical sites include the Butler Point Whaling Museum and Historic Homestead at Hihi (close to Misty River Lodge), Mangonui Heritage Trail, Rangikapiti Pa (ancient Maori hill fort) with its 360 degree view over Doubtless Bay and Matthews Vintage Collection of historic vehicles and farm equipment at nearby Aurere.

There are potteries to visit at Fern Flat and a unique cinema experience at the Swamp Palace.

Fishing (sport and big-game), sailing, diving and swimming are all superb in Doubtless Bay (also surfing when the weather is right) and excellent golf is available at nearby Whangaroa Golf Club and at Kauri Cliffs and Carrington.

Further afield, excursions to Ninety Mile Beach and Cape Reinga by 4x4 landcruisers and special buses are very popular. Ancient Kauri Kingdom, Gumdiggers Park, Puketi Kauri Forest, Bay of Islands and Hokianga Harbour are all well worth visiting from here.