Guidebook for Ruakaka

Ria
Guidebook for Ruakaka

Parks & Nature

Join Jochen on his amazing boat for a two night three day adventure sailing around the beautiful Bay of Islands. Jochen will take you away from the touristy places to locations that are not well known. Not only a marine biologist but an amazing chef as well. EcoCruz is amazing for dolphin sightings. My most favourite trip out of the BOI. I loved being moored next to a predator free island and hearing kiwi calling in the night.
Ecocruz
69 Marsden Rd
Join Jochen on his amazing boat for a two night three day adventure sailing around the beautiful Bay of Islands. Jochen will take you away from the touristy places to locations that are not well known. Not only a marine biologist but an amazing chef as well. EcoCruz is amazing for dolphin sightings. My most favourite trip out of the BOI. I loved being moored next to a predator free island and hearing kiwi calling in the night.
Great little walk to see the glow worms This is at the end of a metal road http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/northland/places/waipu-area/things-to-do/waipu-caves-track/
56 locals recommend
Waipu Caves
Waipu Caves Road
56 locals recommend
Great little walk to see the glow worms This is at the end of a metal road http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/northland/places/waipu-area/things-to-do/waipu-caves-track/
Amazing marine reserve at the poor knights
30 locals recommend
Tutukaka
30 locals recommend
Amazing marine reserve at the poor knights
See nocturnal kiwi in the daytime from the cleverly designed viewing area . Approx 30km drive
29 locals recommend
Kiwi North - Kiwi House, Museum & Heritage Park
500 State Hwy 14
29 locals recommend
See nocturnal kiwi in the daytime from the cleverly designed viewing area . Approx 30km drive
Safe swimming here over the summer season
Ruakaka Surf Lifesaving Patrol
Ruakaka Beach Road
Safe swimming here over the summer season
Some great walking trails with amazing views, there’s also a lovely cafe right across the road
7 locals recommend
Waipu Cove Beach
813 Cove Rd
7 locals recommend
Some great walking trails with amazing views, there’s also a lovely cafe right across the road
Breath taking hike make sure you have good shoes
Bream Head Coast Walks
395 Ody Rd
Breath taking hike make sure you have good shoes
Stunning
19 locals recommend
Piroa Falls
19 locals recommend
Stunning
Brynderwyn walkway is a 12k hike one way. http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/northland/places/waipu-area/things-to-do/brynderwyn-hills-walk/
Brynderwyn
Brynderwyn walkway is a 12k hike one way. http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/northland/places/waipu-area/things-to-do/brynderwyn-hills-walk/
If you love adventure you have to try the mountain bike park at this place. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VUI4WydyBJA&feature=youtu.be
11 locals recommend
Parahaki
11 locals recommend
If you love adventure you have to try the mountain bike park at this place. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VUI4WydyBJA&feature=youtu.be
An amazing climb and breathtaking view. You can get a boat across from Marsden for $30 return (5 mins). Or drive around the coast (50 mins)
49 locals recommend
Mount Manaia
49 locals recommend
An amazing climb and breathtaking view. You can get a boat across from Marsden for $30 return (5 mins). Or drive around the coast (50 mins)

Food Scene

Their home made bakes are amazing
9 locals recommend
Two Birds cafe
2 Peter Snell Rd
9 locals recommend
Their home made bakes are amazing
Iconic pizza barn. Yummy pizza and sides. Also great atmosphere
52 locals recommend
McLeod's Pizza Barn & Brewery
2 Cove Rd
52 locals recommend
Iconic pizza barn. Yummy pizza and sides. Also great atmosphere
Amazing food, even if its just a muffin and a coffee. Lovely to sit outside at the marina
16 locals recommend
Land & Sea Cafe, Bar & Eatery
30 Rauiri Dr
16 locals recommend
Amazing food, even if its just a muffin and a coffee. Lovely to sit outside at the marina
HIghly recommended and the staff will adjust seasoning for you..if you don't like too much chilli!
8 locals recommend
Spice Route Indian Restaurant
5 Princes Rd
8 locals recommend
HIghly recommended and the staff will adjust seasoning for you..if you don't like too much chilli!
Great place for an evening meal, often live music and quiz nights
16 locals recommend
Porthouse Bar and Eatery
163 State Highway 15A
16 locals recommend
Great place for an evening meal, often live music and quiz nights
Nice fish and chips.
Estuary TakeAways & Pizzas
5 Princes Rd
Nice fish and chips.
Not Ruakaka but well worth a visit on your way up or down. Visit the chocolate factory and shop. The salted caramel is to die for. The hot chocolate is sublime:)
60 locals recommend
Bennetts Of Mangawhai
52 Moir St
60 locals recommend
Not Ruakaka but well worth a visit on your way up or down. Visit the chocolate factory and shop. The salted caramel is to die for. The hot chocolate is sublime:)

Everything Else

Busy little city with everything within walking distance. Town baisin is a happening place . Great walks along the river.28km drive
31 locals recommend
Whangarei
31 locals recommend
Busy little city with everything within walking distance. Town baisin is a happening place . Great walks along the river.28km drive

Entertainment & Activities

14 locals recommend
Event Cinemas - Whangarei
18 James St
14 locals recommend
Look out for one of the many fun filled days. 2km drive
Ruakaka Racing
Peter Snell Road
Look out for one of the many fun filled days. 2km drive
Highly recommended
Northland Dive
3851 Russell Road
Highly recommended
One of the great days out to be had. Scuba, snorkeling, sup, kayak or just watch the marine life at Poor Knights. See and sing in RikiRiko. Perfect day has it all plus yummy food all included. Tell Kate I sent you
6 locals recommend
Perfect Day Ocean Cruise
Marina Road
6 locals recommend
One of the great days out to be had. Scuba, snorkeling, sup, kayak or just watch the marine life at Poor Knights. See and sing in RikiRiko. Perfect day has it all plus yummy food all included. Tell Kate I sent you
Waipu Cove Surf Life Saving Club
Cove Road
Great fun day out, do look for specials on GrabOne
Skydive Ballistic Blondes
10 Domain Road
Great fun day out, do look for specials on GrabOne
Great place to learn with top class mounts
Northland Equestrian
2760 State Hwy 1
Great place to learn with top class mounts

Drinks & Nightlife

There is always something happening at the Butter factory. Be it a movie or a band. Staff are real friendly and the place always has a green feel to it. Whangarei is a 28km drive.
19 locals recommend
The Butter Factory
8 Butter Factory Ln
19 locals recommend
There is always something happening at the Butter factory. Be it a movie or a band. Staff are real friendly and the place always has a green feel to it. Whangarei is a 28km drive.

Arts & Culture

Very interesting, about 13km drive south
21 locals recommend
Waipu Museum
36 The Centre
21 locals recommend
Very interesting, about 13km drive south
Great for a run out west, see how our great kauri were logged. There are also amazing greenstone to be bought here,
39 locals recommend
The Kauri Museum
5 Church Rd
39 locals recommend
Great for a run out west, see how our great kauri were logged. There are also amazing greenstone to be bought here,
Forum North
7 Rust Ave
Not just crafty but there are some stunning walks here as well in native bush. See Keruru, Tui and Ruru :)
14 locals recommend
The Quarry Arts Centre
21 Selwyn Ave
14 locals recommend
Not just crafty but there are some stunning walks here as well in native bush. See Keruru, Tui and Ruru :)

Essentials

10 locals recommend
FreshChoice Ruakaka
378 Marsden Point Rd
10 locals recommend