Four Northland spots make AA Directions magazine

Four Northland spots make AA Directions magazine summer section

Four popular Northland recreational sites, including two swimming holes, have been named in the AA Directions magazine’s, “summer on the water” special section for this year.
The magazine’s editorial team placed Kerikeri’s Rainbow Falls in fifth place and the Mermaid Pool at Matapouri Bay in sixth place overall, while Urupukapuka Bay in the Bay of Islands made the list for the finest “water access only” beach and camping spots, and the 26m Whangarei Falls is named in the top four North Island “walks to waterfalls” list.

The Rainbow Falls is a 27m waterfall located on the Kerikeri River near the town, while the Mermaid Pool, located close to Rangitapu Pa north of Matapouri Bay on the Tutukaka coast, is a naturally occurring, deep rock-pool best accessed at low tide.

Just 7.3km from Paihia Urupukapuka is the largest island in the Bay of islands with Urupukapuka Bay being the eastern-most campsite. Meanwhile Whangarei offers its own special summer water spot with just a 10 minute walk from the carpark to the 26m waterfalls which can be found on the way out to the Tutukaka coast.

“Having the two swimming spots listed in the Top 10 is wonderful for our region, and then to have the other two sites in Whangarei and at Urupukapuka Island is the icing on the cake, “says Northland Inc General Manager, Regional Promotions, Paul Davis.

“It is good to see Northland featuring among the best recreational spots in the country as we head into our summer and holiday season

"All the spots named in the magazine have a very special feel and effect on those who go there and they highlight the wonderful water activities that are on offer to tourists and visitors to Northland in our peak season.

"Add to that our beaches, water sports, available accommodation and quality wining and dining; and Northland gives you pretty much everything you need for a great summer holiday.”

He says it is pleasing that such a widely distributed and read publication like the AA Directions magazine recognised and acknowledged Northland as being among the premier summer destinations in the country.

“It speaks volumes for what Northland offers to those who want to venture north of Auckland for the summer,” he says.

The lists feature in a magazine that is delivered to around 580,000 letterboxes of AA members throughout New Zealand.

Top 10 swimming holes: Karekare Falls, Auckland; Bulli Point, Lake Taupo; Blue Spring, Putaruru; Kerosene Creek, Rotorua; Rainbow Falls, Kerikeri; Mermaid Pool, Matapouri, Northland; Mosquito Point, Whanganui; Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve, Marlborough; Cleopatra's Pool, Abel Tasman National Park; Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes, South Island.

Walks to Waterfalls - North Island: Whangarei Falls, Whangarei; Taranaki Falls, Tongariro National Park; Rere Falls, East Coast; Bridal Veil Falls, near Raglan, Waikato.

Water access only: Motuihe Island Te Motu-a-Ihenga, Hauraki Gulf; Urupukapuka Bay, Urupukapuka Island, Bay of Islands; Home Bay, Motutapu Island, Hauraki Gulf; Hot Water Beach, Lake Tarawera, Bay of Plenty; Poukaria, Whanganui Journey; Matiu/Somes Island, Wellington; Observation Beach, Abel Tasman National Park; Blumine Island/Oruawairua, Marlborough Sounds; Hall Arm, Doubtful Sound, Fiordland.

ENDS

© Scoop Media