Things to do from The Beach Cottage at Cable Bay, Doubtless Bay, Far North, Northland, New Zealand, nz

Things to do
Doubtless Bay Maori legend tells us that Kupe, the great Polynesian navigator, made his first landing near Taipa in A.D. 950. In 1769, Captain James Cook sailed past the entrance and recorded in his journal - Doubtless a Bay. From 1831, European whalers, timber workers and immigrants arrived here.		The Beach Cottage 382 State Highway 10 Cable Bay Doubtless Bay New Zealand
	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 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 harbour is Mill Bay, an artist's dream with its backdrop of the dominating Rangikapiti Pa, its yachts and boats of all kinds. At Coopers Beach there is dining at the Beachhouse Cafe and shops of all kinds including take-away food, plus a medical centre and pharmacy.
For more information about this area, please visit Doubtless Bay Online

There are many attractions and activities in, or within a short drive of, Doubtless Bay. Here are just a few

	Karikari Peninsula: This is the playground for those who just love beaches and is perfect for young families or fishermen. Starting just 15 kilometres west of Cable Bay, each beach or bay has its own distinct personality and special character. These vary from sheltered bays with fine white sand, such as Matai Bay, to rugged rocky coastline with pounding surf. Relax and soak up the sun in this subtropical paradise.
Hokianga Harbour: Located about 100 kilometres south west of Cable Bay, this historic harbour is the jewel of New Zealand's northwest coast and the place from where most of Northland's Maori trace their ancestry. Ride on the car ferry across the narrows, visit historic Clendon House, Mangungu Mission Station and Wairere Boulders and marvel at the huge sand dunes and the giant Kauri trees of the Waipoua Forest.

Carrington Club and Karikari Estate Winery This world class golf resort is located on the Karikari peninsula and rests between a private four kilometre white sand beach and the 65 acre mountainside vineyards of the winery. The club's facilities include an 18 hole golf course, dining & lounge facilities, library, tennis courts, swimming pool, billiard room, & pro shop.	Tel: 09 408 7222

Butler Point New Zealand Tel: 09 406 0006	Butler Point Whaling Museum Butler Point is a privately owned 26 hectare property at Hihi - just across the harbour from Mangonui. Over the last three decades the proprietors have developed the property into a macadamia orchard and one of the Far North's most fascinating heritage tourism destinations. Butler House dates back to the 1840s and is furnished in early Colonial and Victorian styles. The Whaling Museum displays a full range of authentic harpoons and a fully equipped whaleboat as used from the whale ships.

Matthews Vintage Collection Located a few kilometres west of Taipa, off State Highway 10, experience a unique opportunity to view a privately-owned collection of vintage cars and machinery used in farming dating back to the early 1900’s. Accumulated and restored by an avid vintage enthusiast over the last 40 years, covering over 1100 square metres of display area. There is a wide range of tractors, stationary engines, vintage cars and pioneer farm and domestic equipment.	Tel: 09 406 0939

Tel: 09 408 7202 Tel: 09 408 1778	Ninety Mile Beach and Cape Reinga: Take a trip to Cape Reinga via a drive up Ninety Mile Beach in comfortable, late model, air-conditioned coaches or 4x4 Toyota Landcruisers. Frequent stops are made throughout the full day Safari Tour of the Aupouri Peninsula - an area of many contrasts from desert brown sands of Ninety Mile Beach, cliff faces drenched in wild surf to the pure white sands of Great Exhibition Bay and rolling farm land of the interior. Paradise Connexion Sand Safaris

Millennium Nocturnal Park: Located at Fairburn, about 20 kilometres south west of Cable Bay, by day enjoy a scenic walk through natural bush which surrounds a meandering stream and unusual rock formations. Observe Kiwis in the undisturbed night-like environment of the Nocturnal House and, by night, see an extensive and dramatic display of glowworms in a spectacular grotto above the stream.	Tel: 09 408 4100

Tel: 09 406 7172	Ancient Kauri Kingdom Located 30 kilometres west of Cable Bay on State Highway 1 at Awanui, the Ancient Kauri Kingdom displays hand-crafted furniture, art, crafts and gifts from the oldest workable timber in the world. See the amazing centrepiece in the shop - a staircase carved within a 140 ton log. Independent radiocarbon dating confirms that this tree had lain in a swamp for 45,000 - 50,000 years.

Potteries There are two interesting potteries that can be visited; located about 15kms. inland from Cable Bay at Fern Flat. Shepherd Road Pottery Tel: 09 408 5532 Fern Flat Pottery Tel: 09 408 5548

Okahu Estate Vineyard & Winery One of New Zealand's most northerly vineyards and wineries. The winery is situated 45 kilometres west of Cable Bay on the road from Kaitaia to Ahipara which is at the southern end of Ninety Mile Beach. The first vines were established in 1984 by vineyard owner Monty Knight. Since then the label has earned a reputation for consistent quality, winning numerous awards including a number of gold medals.	Tel: 09 408 2066

	Sailing Enjoy sailing the beautiful Northland coast and harbours from Mill Bay at Mangonui on the 42-foot yacht Mr Roosevelt or the 44-foot Hinemoana II. Laze around in idyllic bays or learn sailing skills, swim, snorkel and explore. Teddy Bear Sailing Charters Tel: 09 406 1554 Mill Bay Haven Sailing Charters Tel: 09 406 1113

Gumdiggers Park Discover the history of 'The Far North' and the gum digging revolution that shaped the landscape, the people and the local industries of our past as well as our modern day lives. View the maze of giant gum holes that reveal extraordinary kauri trees from prehistoric times and explore the mystery that caused the destruction of these ancient forests. Situated 45 kilometres northwest of Cable Bay, off State Highway 1, Gumdiggers Park is a four minute detour off the main route to Cape Reinga.	Tel: 09 406 7166

	Whangaroa Harbour: The spectacularly beautiful Whangaroa harbour is just 25 kilometres east of Cable Bay off State Highway 10. Explore the harbour on the Kuri, go big game fishing, sailing or kayaking. Or stop off for lunch or dinner at the Gum Store pub at Totora North. Kuri Charters Tel: 09 405 0307 Whangaroa Golf Club: located 15 kilometres east of Cable Bay on State Highway 10. Tel: 09 405 1808

Mangonui Heritage Trail Beginning and ending at the Mangonui courthouse, the Mangonui Heritage Trail provides a glimpse of the great wealth of Maori and European history associated with this area. The Trail is three kilometres in length and accessible by foot or vehicle. The average time taken to walk the trail is one and a half hours. Walkers are advised to take the St. Andrew's walkway up to the church and enjoy the spectacular views from above Mangonui's waterfront. And you can always break off for an eponymous meal at the world-famous Mangonui Fish & Chip Shop.	Pick up a map from Doubtless Bay Information Centre Beach Road Mangonui Tel: 09 406 2046 Email:info.centre@actrix.co.nz

Blue Sky Scenics Tel: 09 406 7320	Blue Sky Scenic Flights: Experience New Zealand's most beautiful and untouched coastline by taking a flight with Blue Sky Scenics. Part of the Kaitaia Aero Club, they are located at Kaitaia Airport, 30 kilometres west of Cable Bay. See the beautiful areas of Ninety Mile Beach, Cape Reinga, North Cape, Great Exhibition Bay, Karikari Peninsula, Doubtless Bay and the Bay-Of-Islands.

Swamp Palace Cinema: Visit the Swamp Palace, the tiny cinema of some 68 seats, which shows up to date movies four nights a week, plus matinees. Only the "better" movies are shown, with no advertisements, and a great, personal introduction by Richard, who runs the place, a converted building hauled inland from Cable Bay to Oruru, about 10 kilometres south west of Cable Bay.	Tel: 09 408 7040

Tel: 09 409 4729	WildCat Fishing Charters Based in Ahipara, 50 kilometres west of Cable Bay, they offer Big Game Fishing full-day charters for novices or hard-core fishermen. WildCat 1 is an eight metre aluminium catamaran powered by a 200 HP outboard and cruises at 18-20 knots. The fishing grounds off Ahipara are relatively untapped and offer some of the most exciting nonstop action in the country. All fishing gear is supplied or you can take your own rod and reel. For the keen-eyed, there are dolphin and killer whales to be seen and occasionally sperm whales.
Fishing	Clypso Charters Tel: 09 406 0914 Hihi Charters Tel: 09 406 1041 Pisces Charters 09 406 1234 Enjoy fishing Doubtless Bay from Mill Bay and Mangonui in fully equipped, safe boats. Catch some of the many species found in this beautiful bay.

Kayaking	Northland Sea Kayaking, Tauranga Bay Tel: 09 405 0381 Doubtless Bay Sea Adventures Tel: 09 406 0926

Tuatua Tours Quad Biking is a popular adventure activity in the west coast sand dunes and gumfields at Ahipara, 50km west of Cable Bay.	Tel: 09 409 4875

Here are details of historic places to visit in Northland

Here are details of major walkways in Northland

Archibald Rentals offer a large range of rental cars and vans, with pick-up and drop-off at Kaitaia Airport, at very competitive prices.