Story by Kristina
Escape from the City
Adventure in Northland, Northland & Bay of Islands, NZ
Our weekend farm stay in Poutu was an idyllic escape from the city, a perfect blend of comfort and excitement. We arrived on a Friday afternoon and were guided across the farm to our little cabin by our lovely hosts. Sitting amongst rolling green hills overlooking a private lake, we couldn't wait to relax and enjoy our weekend.
We lit the wood-fired hot-tub and soon got lost in the tranquility of our surroundings. By morning, the temperature of the hot-tub was perfect for a morning dip.
Soon after, we joined a thrilling 4x4 polaris guided tour, tearing through the coastal forest and across pristine sand dunes to visit one of New Zealand’s oldest historic lighthouses. We loved every minute of the experience and had the entire beach to ourselves.
Back at the farm, we fired up the barbeque for lunch, before our host arrived with our horses for a relaxing pony trek along the lakeside. We learned about some of the history of the area while the unique personalities of our horses entertained us as we went.
After a day packed with excitement, the only thing left to do was relax and enjoy our surroundings. This called for another dip in the hot tub which lasted until the sun had set and the milky way glittered overhead.
As we wrapped up our time at Lake Kahuparere, we were left with smiles on our faces and memories that we won't soon forget.
We lit the wood-fired hot-tub and soon got lost in the tranquility of our surroundings. By morning, the temperature of the hot-tub was perfect for a morning dip.
Soon after, we joined a thrilling 4x4 polaris guided tour, tearing through the coastal forest and across pristine sand dunes to visit one of New Zealand’s oldest historic lighthouses. We loved every minute of the experience and had the entire beach to ourselves.
Back at the farm, we fired up the barbeque for lunch, before our host arrived with our horses for a relaxing pony trek along the lakeside. We learned about some of the history of the area while the unique personalities of our horses entertained us as we went.
After a day packed with excitement, the only thing left to do was relax and enjoy our surroundings. This called for another dip in the hot tub which lasted until the sun had set and the milky way glittered overhead.
As we wrapped up our time at Lake Kahuparere, we were left with smiles on our faces and memories that we won't soon forget.
Things We Did
- Hike
- 4WD
- Waterfall
- Horse riding
- Beach
- Experience
The historic Pouto Lighthouse is one of the oldest wooden lighthouses in the country. The track to get there is a 12km return beach walk along the remote and windswept Pouto Point, at the northern head of the Kaipara Harbour. It generally takes 3-4hours return, or alternatively you can drive your 4WD along this beach out to the lighthouse.
Kahuparere Adventures offer a thrilling 4X4 tour through Pouto’s epic sand dunes, coastal forests, rugged landscapes out to the iconic Pouto Lighthouse. This was such a fun and unforgettable way to explore the area!
A hidden gem waterfall at the end of a short 10 minute trail in the Waipu Gorge scenic reserve. This is perfect spot for swimming in summer.
We joined a horseback riding tour with Kahuparere Adventures which took us along a tranquil lakeside with gorgeous views over the surrounding countryside. This is an awesome relaxing way to explore the area.
A scenic wharf overlooking the Kaipara Harbour. If you're lucky you might see seals on the beach.
A highlight of our stay at Lake Kahuparere was enjoying a long relaxing soak in the hot tub overlooking the beach. The perfect way to end the day.
Our Adventure Map
Where we stayed
Things we did
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