Explore Pouto Peninsula

Starting in Dargaville, you can head south down the Pouto Peninsula, which forms the northern boundary of the entrance to Kaipara Harbour. The Kaipara is not only New Zealand's largest harbour but also its most challenging to navigate, thanks to a dangerous sandbar guarding its entrance.

The Pouto Peninsula itself is a vast expanse of sand, featuring towering dunes, freshwater lakes, and valleys. The landscape is constantly shifting as the wind sculpts the dunes into ever-changing formations. Just off the coast lies an area known as The Graveyard, a name earned due to the numerous ships—around 150— that have met their end here. Depending on the tides and sand conditions, you might spot remnants of these wrecks emerging from the water or buried in the sand.

At the southern tip of the peninsula, a short walk will take you to the Pouto Point Lighthouse. This three-story wooden structure, built in 1884, is now under the protection of the Historic Places Trust. Once upon a time, Kaipara Harbour was New Zealand's busiest, with sailing ships transporting timber from the nearby kauri forests.

Stretching from the northern head of Pouto Peninsula to Maunganui Bluff is Ripiro Beach, a driveable surf coast that spans over 100 kilometers. The beach is bordered by lignite cliffs, where you can see fossilized rata leaves embedded in the coal-like rock. The beach connects several coastal communities, including Glinks Gully, Baylys Beach, and Omamari. At Aranga Beach, the road ends, giving way to a coastal trail that leads all the way to the Hokianga Harbour.