Closest Beaches
Beautiful beach for a swim or a walk. Note this carpark gets busy in peak times - if we can't find a park we head to Langs beach or walk down to the estuary.
35 locals recommend
Mangawhai Beach
147 Wintle StreetBeautiful beach for a swim or a walk. Note this carpark gets busy in peak times - if we can't find a park we head to Langs beach or walk down to the estuary.
This part of the estuary can be accessed by turning left at the top of the driveway, then right onto Holiday Crescent. At the bottom of holiday crescent, on the opposite side of Robert Street, there is a walkway down a grass bank down to the estuary.
A similar distance away there is another access if you turn right out of the driveway, then left down Wood Street. Cross the road and across Robert Street reserve down the steps to the beach.
Mangawhai Boat ramp
Alamar CrescentThis part of the estuary can be accessed by turning left at the top of the driveway, then right onto Holiday Crescent. At the bottom of holiday crescent, on the opposite side of Robert Street, there is a walkway down a grass bank down to the estuary.
A similar distance away there is another access if you turn right out of the driveway, then left down Wood Street. Cross the road and across Robert Street reserve down the steps to the beach.
Activities for kids
The Activity Zone is an amazing playground and resource. As well as a great playground (with a wooden pirate ship and huge flying fox) it has a skatepark, a pump track for scooters, exercise equipment, tennis/basketball courts, walking/mountain bike tracks and a grassed field area. There is also a small onsite cafe run out of a container.
24 locals recommend
Mangawhai Activity Zone
191 Molesworth DrThe Activity Zone is an amazing playground and resource. As well as a great playground (with a wooden pirate ship and huge flying fox) it has a skatepark, a pump track for scooters, exercise equipment, tennis/basketball courts, walking/mountain bike tracks and a grassed field area. There is also a small onsite cafe run out of a container.
Nearby beaches
10 minutes drive away you will find Langs Beach, a beautiful white sand surf beach lined with Pohutukawa trees. No shops here but there is a food truck that sells coffee and real fruit ice creams. There are no life guards here so beware of unsafe swimming conditions, waves at high tide can be dumpy if there is swell.
6 locals recommend
Langs Beach
10 minutes drive away you will find Langs Beach, a beautiful white sand surf beach lined with Pohutukawa trees. No shops here but there is a food truck that sells coffee and real fruit ice creams. There are no life guards here so beware of unsafe swimming conditions, waves at high tide can be dumpy if there is swell.
Approx 20 minutes away Te Arai beach is a beautiful spot. Part of the Te Arai Regional Park. No life guards here and the beach can have dangerous swimming conditions. Great for surfing.
25 locals recommend
Te Arai Beach Reserve
Te Arai Point RoadApprox 20 minutes away Te Arai beach is a beautiful spot. Part of the Te Arai Regional Park. No life guards here and the beach can have dangerous swimming conditions. Great for surfing.
Pacific Road Beach
Pacific RoadBeautiful stretch of beach away from the crowds. Just less than 15 minutes drive.
Long surf beach with life guards and a small river at the Langs Beach end. There is a public toilet and shower block, dairy, takeaways and The Cove restaurant.
38 locals recommend
Waipu Cove
Long surf beach with life guards and a small river at the Langs Beach end. There is a public toilet and shower block, dairy, takeaways and The Cove restaurant.
Sightseeing
Great little museum with a lot of history about the people, animals and land forms of the area. There is a lovely gift shop and nice cafe on-site.
27 locals recommend
Mangawhai Museum
Molesworth DriveGreat little museum with a lot of history about the people, animals and land forms of the area. There is a lovely gift shop and nice cafe on-site.
Walk along the cliffs above Mangawhai beach - stunning scenery. Takes a couple of hours if you do it all, you can do one way via the beach at low tide. https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/northland/places/waipu-area/things-to-do/mangawhai-walkway/
39 locals recommend
Mangawhai Cliff Walk
Walk along the cliffs above Mangawhai beach - stunning scenery. Takes a couple of hours if you do it all, you can do one way via the beach at low tide. https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/northland/places/waipu-area/things-to-do/mangawhai-walkway/
Approx 7 minutes drive away, Tanekaha reserve and walking tracks. Various lengths and difficulties with more information here https://www.mangawhaitracks.com/tanekaha-tracks
12 locals recommend
Tanekaha Walking Track
302B King RdApprox 7 minutes drive away, Tanekaha reserve and walking tracks. Various lengths and difficulties with more information here https://www.mangawhaitracks.com/tanekaha-tracks
Stunning walk along the coast between Langs Beach and Waipu Cove. Highly recommend! You can do this in either direction - the river at the Waipu end needs to be crossed so you can either do the crossing at low tide or get wet. We have always done Ding Bay to Waipu direction with a swim at Waipu afterwards. The Cove at Waipu is great for a stop afterwards as well. How we do it is that we leave all but two people at the start of the track at Ding Bay, coming up the hill from Langs Beach at the top you will see the sign for the walkway on the right hand side of the road. Two people then drive to Waipu, leave one car there then drive back to the beginning of the track. Afterwards you have a car waiting for you in Waipu. It usually takes about 1-1.5 hrs one way. The track is slippery when wet in places and care needs to be taken with small children as there are some interesting transitions but it is well worth the effort.
8 locals recommend
Waipu Coastal Walkway
Stunning walk along the coast between Langs Beach and Waipu Cove. Highly recommend! You can do this in either direction - the river at the Waipu end needs to be crossed so you can either do the crossing at low tide or get wet. We have always done Ding Bay to Waipu direction with a swim at Waipu afterwards. The Cove at Waipu is great for a stop afterwards as well. How we do it is that we leave all but two people at the start of the track at Ding Bay, coming up the hill from Langs Beach at the top you will see the sign for the walkway on the right hand side of the road. Two people then drive to Waipu, leave one car there then drive back to the beginning of the track. Afterwards you have a car waiting for you in Waipu. It usually takes about 1-1.5 hrs one way. The track is slippery when wet in places and care needs to be taken with small children as there are some interesting transitions but it is well worth the effort.
Saturday morning market with a wide range of fresh food, food trucks and stalls.
77 locals recommend
Mangawhai Tavern Market
2 Moir StSaturday morning market with a wide range of fresh food, food trucks and stalls.
Food scene
Gringas used to be a food truck and opened as a restaurant in December 2021. Delicious mexican food and drinks in a cool setting - all 5 minutes walk from home. Bookings a must - https://www.gringas.co.nz/
13 locals recommend
Gringas
7 Mangawhai Heads RdGringas used to be a food truck and opened as a restaurant in December 2021. Delicious mexican food and drinks in a cool setting - all 5 minutes walk from home. Bookings a must - https://www.gringas.co.nz/
Great coffee, breakfast, lunch (till 3) and dinner. If taking away coffee you will need your re-useable cup otherwise they have some for purchase. https://www.brewedas.com/brewedas
21 locals recommend
Brewed As Collective
7 Wood StGreat coffee, breakfast, lunch (till 3) and dinner. If taking away coffee you will need your re-useable cup otherwise they have some for purchase. https://www.brewedas.com/brewedas
5 minutes walk away at the Wood Street shops. Relaxed restaurant/pub that works for both family and adult only dinners. Yummy pizzas and pub food, good selection of beers and drinks. Chalkboard table tops and games for kids available. Dog friendly outside.
23 locals recommend
Wood St Freehouse
12a Wood St5 minutes walk away at the Wood Street shops. Relaxed restaurant/pub that works for both family and adult only dinners. Yummy pizzas and pub food, good selection of beers and drinks. Chalkboard table tops and games for kids available. Dog friendly outside.
You can't beat sitting on the deck at the Tavern on a sunny day when the tide is in, but it's always a good time regardless. Yummy food, great beer and drinks selection. Good for families or adults only. Book if a large group or at peak times (long weekends and school holidays).
77 locals recommend
Mangawhai Tavern Market
2 Moir StYou can't beat sitting on the deck at the Tavern on a sunny day when the tide is in, but it's always a good time regardless. Yummy food, great beer and drinks selection. Good for families or adults only. Book if a large group or at peak times (long weekends and school holidays).
Good takeaway sushi at the Wood Street shops (5 minutes walk).
6 locals recommend
BK's Sushi Mangawhai
7 Wood StreetGood takeaway sushi at the Wood Street shops (5 minutes walk).
Yummy takeaway indian food - menu available here https://www.madlyindian.co.nz/our-menus/. This is a takeaway (some seating available outside) version of another Madly Indian restaurant in Waipu.
Madly Indian Mangawhai
7 Wood StreetYummy takeaway indian food - menu available here https://www.madlyindian.co.nz/our-menus/. This is a takeaway (some seating available outside) version of another Madly Indian restaurant in Waipu.
Fantastic little supermarket with everything you need. Fresh bread and baked goods, fresh fish, meat, rotisserie chickens, beer and wine. Friendly service. 5 minutes walk away in the Wood Street shops.
34 locals recommend
Four Square
3 Wood StFantastic little supermarket with everything you need. Fresh bread and baked goods, fresh fish, meat, rotisserie chickens, beer and wine. Friendly service. 5 minutes walk away in the Wood Street shops.
Fun place with an amazing kids playground inside. Delicious pizza, food and drinks. Book in peak times or if a large group.
52 locals recommend
McLeod's Pizza Barn & Brewery
2 Cove RdFun place with an amazing kids playground inside. Delicious pizza, food and drinks. Book in peak times or if a large group.
Delicious food and drinks in a cool spot, this place has a great vibe and amazing service. Highly recommend for any time of day.
37 locals recommend
The Cove Cafe
910 Cove RdDelicious food and drinks in a cool spot, this place has a great vibe and amazing service. Highly recommend for any time of day.
MEAN BRGR MANGAWHAI
6 Wood StreetLocal favourite - plan ahead in peak times. https://www.mean-brgr.co.nz/
New World supermarket is 5 minutes drive away, great supermarket with everything you need for your holiday.
New World Mangawhai
New World supermarket is 5 minutes drive away, great supermarket with everything you need for your holiday.
Beautiful and delicious chocolates made on site - great selection of wine too. Mangawhai institution. The cafe next door is also highly recommended.
60 locals recommend
Bennetts Of Mangawhai
52 Moir StBeautiful and delicious chocolates made on site - great selection of wine too. Mangawhai institution. The cafe next door is also highly recommended.
Beautiful outdoor courtyard and delicious food. Gets very busy. Chocolate shop and factory next door also a must do.
17 locals recommend
Bennetts Cafe
52 Moir StBeautiful outdoor courtyard and delicious food. Gets very busy. Chocolate shop and factory next door also a must do.
Activities
Mangawhai Golf Club
219 Molesworth DrA few minutes drive away - https://www.mangawhaigolf.co.nz/
Friendly surf school which does lesson at Te Arai and Mangawhai.
9 locals recommend
Aotearoa Surf School & Board Hire
11 Te Arai Point RdFriendly surf school which does lesson at Te Arai and Mangawhai.
This is one of two Saturday morning markets in Mangawhai, it is located in the Mangawhai Beach School. Come here for fresh bread, coffee, local growers market stalls and rotating food stalls. Inside the hall are rotating stalls that include local photography, ceramics, crochet, kids trinkets and olive oil to name a few.
Mangawhai Community Market
34 Insley StThis is one of two Saturday morning markets in Mangawhai, it is located in the Mangawhai Beach School. Come here for fresh bread, coffee, local growers market stalls and rotating food stalls. Inside the hall are rotating stalls that include local photography, ceramics, crochet, kids trinkets and olive oil to name a few.
The Mangawhai Tavern market is one of two Saturday morning markets in Mangawhai. This market has a wide selection of delicious food stalls as well as clothes, art and household items.
77 locals recommend
Mangawhai Tavern Market
2 Moir StThe Mangawhai Tavern market is one of two Saturday morning markets in Mangawhai. This market has a wide selection of delicious food stalls as well as clothes, art and household items.