VIDEO: Cape Brett Lighthouse with Marcus Lush, “North”, TVNZ
May21
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VIDEO: Whangamumu Whaling Station Film (1933)
May21
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Oke Bay
May20

Oke Bay

Cape Brett Track starts at the beautiful Oke Bay in Rawhiti. Oke Bay is rated one of the best in Northland. From the land above this beach you get breathtaking views. Global opera star Kiri Te Kanawa, who has a holiday home nearby,  considers this her favourite beach. Dolphins often come into this bay to play so if you are lucky, you’ll see them.  If you have time, you’ll be able to get into the water and swim with them. After this...

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Oke Bay Lodge
May20

Oke Bay Lodge

This is a 140 year old, two storey, historic homestead which is located right at the beginning (literally) of the Cape Brett walking track.  Start by clicking on the picture of the Lodge on the left of the screen, and then watch a video. All you need to do is walk out the front door and onto the track. The Lodge is also by far the best location available in Rawhiti if you want close proximity to Oke Bay which is Kiri Te...

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Kauri Forest
Feb20

Kauri Forest

This is definitely worth a visit. Many of the Kauri are 4-500 years old and several meters in diameter at the base. Standing among these gaurdians of the forest you’ll feel like you are stepping back in time way beyond when New Zealand was first populated! Spend a bit of time here and soak up the aura and sense of majesty that these magnificent trees exude. FYI, the largest diameter and oldest kauri tree still living in NZ is called...

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Whangamumu Whaling Station
Jan18

Whangamumu Whaling Station

This station was the only one in the world that caught whales with nets, and it was Northland’s longest running and most successful station. The physical remains at Whangamumu represent the last factory based whaling station in Northland. Whaling from Whangamumu reportedly began in 1844 by John Johnson and Andrew Gibson but details from of this early operation are sketchy. According to better known history, whaling at Whangamumu began...

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Getting near to Cape Brett
Dec20

Getting near to Cape Brett

Towards the Cape, walking alongside the dramatic cliff-face, you can see abundant fish and bird life below – often dolphins and seals will come close to shore – and even the odd whale! From Deep Water Cove onwards, the track gets more challenging and becomes quite exposed with steep drop-offs to the sea below. Although it is not that far to the lighthouse, it will take you about 2-3 hours, and can be quite tiring. The effort is...

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Deep Water Cove – HMNZS Canterbury
Nov20

Deep Water Cove – HMNZS Canterbury

On November 3, 2007, after nine months of final planning and a weather postponement, the HMNZS Canterbury was sunk by explosives at Deep Water Cover. The idea behind retiring the frigate at this beautiful location was to provide recreational divers with a thrilling underwater experience. Divers from all over the world now come to Deep Water Cove to explore the old girl. On the day she was sunk, over 300 hospitality boats and pleasure...

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Mt Rakaumangamanga
Oct17

Mt Rakaumangamanga

Mt Rakaumangamanga, at the headland of the end of the Cape Brett peninsula, has huge significance for the Maori people. It marks one of pivotal corners of the so called ‘polynesian triangle’.  The earliest navigators came from within this triangle to arrive in Aotearoa (i.e. New Zealand). The other points of the triangle are Hawaiiki and Easter Island. Mt Rakaumangamanga (“the branching out of the canoes”) is named after Te Heke Nui...

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Cape Brett Lighthouse
Sep20

Cape Brett Lighthouse

The 14-metre high Cape Brett Lighthouse stands at the entrance to the Bay of Islands. The iconic lighthouse was first lit in 1910, and it still has its internal workings. The light was unique in that it was the first light of three in New Zealand to utilize mercury bath technology. The Cape Brett Lighthouse keeper’s cottage, built in 1908, is a typical lighthouse keepers dwelling of the early 20th century. It is the only one of...

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Fishing Trips
Jun22

Fishing Trips

We can organise fishing trips for you anywhere in the Bay of Islands. And if you don’t know where to go to get fish, we do! Come and stay at the Lodge with your friends, we’ll take you out fishing for the day, and return you safely back to the Lodge in the evening! No mess, no fuss. You simply walk on the boat at the beginning of the day, and walk off at the end, loaded with fresh fish. Done. To watch a video of fishing at...

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Marsden Cross Tours
Mar24

Marsden Cross Tours

Marsden Cross, the place where Samuel Marsden preached the first evangelistic sermon in New Zealand on Christmas morning 1814, is only 15 minutes by boat from Oke Bay Lodge. When you visit this immensely significant site, you are in for a rich blend of history and scenery! The painting above shows Marsden’s ship Active anchored in Oihi Bay. It was at Oihi Bay that he conducted on shore the first Christian service to be held in...

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