Far North District: Historic Places and Nature

In Far North District, historic buildings, regional history and experiences in the landscape give your trip different points of focus. If you’re looking for a hotel, you can start by considering which of these themes you want to shape your stay. The places and experiences range from a 19th-century courthouse to a walk with views of the North Coast.

Historic buildings in Mangonui, Kerikeri and Russell

The former Mangonui Courthouse is located in Mangonui and was built in 1892. This well-preserved courthouse dates from the late 19th century and is an unusually intact example of a small courthouse of national significance. For a culture-focused stay, its construction date, building type and state of preservation come together as a shared historical theme.

Kerikeri is home to another notable landmark in architectural history: the Stone Store. Built between 1832 and 1836, it is New Zealand’s oldest intact stone building and oldest surviving warehouse. Unlike the courthouse in Mangonui, the Stone Store’s original function as a warehouse takes centre stage. Anyone interested in the history of historic buildings will find two distinct themes here to help plan their trip.

Pompallier in Russell adds French colonial architecture to the picture. Built between 1841 and 1842, it is one of New Zealand’s earliest surviving French colonial buildings. Together, the courthouse, Stone Store and Pompallier offer a range of periods and architectural styles: a small courthouse, a stone building that served as a warehouse, and an early French colonial building. These differences give culture enthusiasts concrete points to consider when choosing what to focus on.

History and exhibitions at the Te Ahu Museum

The Te Ahu Museum at the Te Ahu Centre in Kaitāia presents the history of Far North District. Its subject matter includes pre-European Māori artefacts, gold mining, Dalmatian heritage, kauri gum and timber, early shipwrecks, and missionaries and pioneers. These different aspects of the region’s past are presented side by side, rather than narrowing its history to a single subject.

The museum offers films, interactive exhibits, virtual landscape tours and informative displays for visitors of all ages. These different formats offer several ways to explore its themes. The extensive archive includes documents, journals, newspapers, maps and photographs, with more than 500 records available online. If you’re especially interested in historical documents and images, you can consider the archive as a distinct part of the museum.

Coastal scenery and walking on the Te Paki Coastal Track

The Te Paki Coastal Track offers a different focus: along the route, you can enjoy views of the North Coast, regenerating bush and large, wind-shaped sand dunes. You can walk the entire track or choose selected sections; there are four campsites along the route. This means your plans can take account of both the length of your walk and the variety of landscapes. Check current conditions and any possible closures when planning your route.

These themes can be a starting point when choosing a hotel: architecture and regional history offer a different focus from coastal scenery and walking. You can shape your trip around whether you’d rather focus on historic buildings and museum exhibits or the landscape along the Te Paki Coastal Track.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Paihia, Russell, Kaitaia, Kerikeri, Taipa-Mangonui, Opua, Ahipara, Whangaroa, Opononi, Matauri Bay, Waipapakauri, Coopers Beach, Waitangi, Pakaraka, Broadwood, Waimate North, Te Tii, Haruru, Waipoua Forest, Okaihau, Kawakawa, Te Kao.

For the broader travel overview: Northland.