Kirikiri Bay Retreat

With 100m of water frontage, lawns which glide down to the waters edge and your own boat ramp, Kirikiri Bay Retreat doesnt come around often. Offering peace, privacy and the sea lapping at your doorstep, this is a magnificent place in a top location.

"Pristine aquatic haven awaits in Northland"
from the NZHearld
Saturday Jul 22, 2006
By Maureen Marriner

...At four hours from central Auckland, it is not a day-trip, but is within reach. Just off State Highway 1 on the Old Russell Rd, we came across the Gallery Cafe at Helena Bay. It was a prime stop for lunch and had a fantastic view across folded hillsides covered in bush to the Pacific in the distance, and a gallery with a stunning collection of New Zealand art...

...Take the turnoff to Whangaruru North and you're in Bland Bay, or Tuparehuia - and then the seal ends. This is where I had found the bay on a rental-car company map. Their cars are "not permitted" on the rest of the road. Up a small hill, we paused on the top for the most fantastic view of Bland Bay on the right and the Whangaruru Harbour on the left....

...The sounds of birds, lapping water and the breeze are interrupted only a couple of times a day by cars crunching on gravel behind the lodge. The hills on the other side of the road are DoC land where bush is regenerating from farmland and birdlife is increasing. Calls of the little brown kiwi can be heard in the evening. Once a British couple leaving at 5am to catch a flight home, were astounded to see a kiwi in the middle of the road.

In the afternoon we headed back to the mountains, on foot this time. It was great tramping country. We headed first across farmland, then into the bush - thank DoC for direction markers. It wasn't a difficult walk, but I was glad of my hiking boots on the way up and manuka trunks for Tarzan-like swings on the way down. Okay, not Tarzan, but they were useful grab-handles. There were many ups and downs as we headed for the trig station, skirting two spectacular bays on the way and crossing a swamp by boardwalk on the way back. The last section was through a field of cows and their calves. "No," said Sir, "there are no bulls. Yes, I know they're big, but they will not charge."

The next day, tides precluding oyster gathering, we walked the length of Bland Bay. Pristine. Breathtaking. Untouched. All of that and more.

Getting there

From Whangarei head north on State Highway 1 for 15 minutes. Just past the Whakapara BP station, turn right on to the Old Russell Rd, signposted to Oakura. Follow the signs to Bland Bay, staying on the tar-sealed road for about 40km to the small settlement of Ngaiatonga. Cross the bridge and turn right to Bland Bay...

...continue through Bland Bay, onto the gravel road. Up and hill and around the corner. Last property before the Department of Conversation estate.

please call (021)581768 for more information.