Diving The Cavalli Islands just off shore are excellent for diving. They are also home to the Rainbow Warrior, the Greenpeace flagship sunk by sabotage in Auckland harbour and now providing a beautiful marine habitat to be explored.
Beaches The area has many outstanding beaches. Matauri Bay is the most famous and has 2 beaches. One is long and sandy. The other smaller beach on the other side of the mount has dark sand and pebbles. It often has clear water and is great for snorkeling. Just north around the coast from Matauri Bay are numerous sheltered sandy beaches.
Walking A memorial to the Rainbow Warrior stands on the mount at Matauri Bay overlooking the Cavalli Islands. The structure was created by the world famous local artist Chris Booth. A visit to the memorial provides wonderful views and a good short walk. St Paul's rock towers over Whangaroa Harbour. An energetic but short walk to the top will be rewarded with absolutely stunning 360 degree views. Lane Cove is another good walk. 2 hours each way, it's possible to arrange a boat to either drop you there or pick you up. The Puketi forest is big and is home to some very impressive Kauri trees. The native forest can be seen on a 5 minute boardwalk or explored on other walks from 1 hour - 2 days.
Harbour Cruise Whangaroa is steeped in history. A harbour cruise will give you the chance to hear the fascinating stories while enjoying the wonderful sights.
Surfing In the right conditions the long sandy beach at Matauri Bay can be great for surfing. Takou Bay and Taupo Bay are both within easy reach and both can also be excellent surf beaches.
Fishing There is good fishing to be had right off the rocks. Also charter boats leave from Whangaroa for big game fishing adventures and bottom fishing day trips. If you have your own boat you can beach launch at Matauri or Te Ngaere. You'll find boat ramps at Whangaroa and around Kerikeri.
Kayaking Beautiful coastline with safe sheltered beaches, Whangaroa harbour or out around the Cavalli Islands for the more adventurous.
Art Kerikeri is home to many talented artists and crafts people and boasts a wealth of unique pottery, wood carving, paintings and galleries. If you follow The Art and Craft trail you will meet many of them in their working studios and have a wonderful day out.
Wine There are several local wineries and vineyards to be visited and many superb wines to be sampled.
Kerikeri Apart from the art and wine Kerikeri offers several visitor attractions. The Stone Store visitor center is a piece of history and a window into the early pioneering days of New Zealand. Rewa's Village is a mock up early Maori village with huts built out of natural materials. At Rewa's village there is also a very good botanical garden not only identifying the plants but giving an idea of how the plants used to be used. Kaleidoscope world is also worth a look.

 

From south of Kerikeri: Heading north on state highway 10 go past Kerikeri and through Waipapa and Kapiro then take a right turn towards Matauri Bay.  You are now 8.7km from the The Welcome Swallow.  Follow the road towards Matauri Bay for about 6km then take a right turn onto Hikurua Rd.  Hikurua Rd is a gravel or metal road and is about 2.7km long.  The Welcome Swallow is at the end of the road, please come down the track and find reception.

From north of Kaeo: Heading south on state highway 10 go through Kaeo then take a left turn towards Matauri Bay.  You are now 8.7km from The Welcome Swallow.  Follow the road towards Matauri Bay for about 6km then take a right turn onto Hikurua Rd.  Hikurua Rd is a gravel or metal road and is about 2.7km long.  The Welcome Swallow is at the end of the road, please come down the track and find reception.

* If you turned left onto a gravel or metal road after Kaeo you are on the Matauri Bay cut through road.  Just turn left when you meet up with the main Matauri Bay road and follow the road on until you see Hikurua Rd on the right.

By Bus:
Take Intercity bus to Kaeo.  To arrange pick up, please ring us at 09 405 1019.

 

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