Renate’s guidebook for Ruakaka and surroundings
Sightseeing
Free access and great walkway for the adventurous. Includes glow worms. Take a light and prepare with good shoes which can get wet when you like to go further than the first 10 meters or so.
There is also a guided tour available on AirBnB.
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Waipu-Höhlen
Waipu Caves RoadFree access and great walkway for the adventurous. Includes glow worms. Take a light and prepare with good shoes which can get wet when you like to go further than the first 10 meters or so.
There is also a guided tour available on AirBnB.
Piroa Falls
Great local falls within a short stroll from the parking area
Ask for the guided tour and explore the local bird wildlife. Or just go by yourself and enjoy the great scenery of the Ruakaka River. Tip: travel with the tides for an easy peddle.
Ruakaka Kayaking
8 Princes RdAsk for the guided tour and explore the local bird wildlife. Or just go by yourself and enjoy the great scenery of the Ruakaka River. Tip: travel with the tides for an easy peddle.
Great trip and walks. Fabulous photo shoot opportunities and nice beach alongside sand-spit.
Try the tourist route to Ruakaka when your are coming from the South and leave the highway at Wellsford or Kaiwaka to Mangawhai and follow the route through Langs beach, Waipi Cove and Waipu back to the highway. It is about 30-40 minutes longer and windy at places, but with beautiful country and vistas, beaches and places you would like to stop even if only to shoot some pictures.
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Mangawhai Heads
Great trip and walks. Fabulous photo shoot opportunities and nice beach alongside sand-spit.
Try the tourist route to Ruakaka when your are coming from the South and leave the highway at Wellsford or Kaiwaka to Mangawhai and follow the route through Langs beach, Waipi Cove and Waipu back to the highway. It is about 30-40 minutes longer and windy at places, but with beautiful country and vistas, beaches and places you would like to stop even if only to shoot some pictures.
The local Golf club, open to visitors. They have some great 180+ degree views of Bream Bay and all the islands and have a simple cafe on-site in case you are hungry or thirsty.
Less than 10 minute drive from Ruakaka along the highway.
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Waipu Golf Club
3229 State Hwy 1The local Golf club, open to visitors. They have some great 180+ degree views of Bream Bay and all the islands and have a simple cafe on-site in case you are hungry or thirsty.
Less than 10 minute drive from Ruakaka along the highway.
For the horse trekking fans. Guided tours.
7 Minute drive from Ruakaka.
Tuidale Stables - Uretiti Beach horse treks
51 Uretiti RdFor the horse trekking fans. Guided tours.
7 Minute drive from Ruakaka.
One Tree Point is a 10 minute drive from Ruakaka. There are some beautiful beaches without much of a surf and the water is usually a lot warmer here as it has a very gradual slope. Ideal for swimming, kayaking or just a stroll across the beach or in knee deep water. Or just drive around the harbour and enjoy the many yachts. sailing boats or the cafe with some nice views.
One Tree Point
One Tree Point is a 10 minute drive from Ruakaka. There are some beautiful beaches without much of a surf and the water is usually a lot warmer here as it has a very gradual slope. Ideal for swimming, kayaking or just a stroll across the beach or in knee deep water. Or just drive around the harbour and enjoy the many yachts. sailing boats or the cafe with some nice views.
Food scene
Great artisan pizzas and local beer. Make sure you book a seat during weekends and public Holidays. 10 minute drive from Ruakaka.
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McLeod's Pizza Barn & Brewery
2 Cove RdGreat artisan pizzas and local beer. Make sure you book a seat during weekends and public Holidays. 10 minute drive from Ruakaka.
Good place to get a meal and have a seat if you are in the area. Open 7 days. 2 Minute drive.
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Porthouse Bar and Eatery
163 State Highway 15AGood place to get a meal and have a seat if you are in the area. Open 7 days. 2 Minute drive.
Good Indian food, takeaway or have a seat. Has good reviews, well known in the area. Don't forget to walk (or drive) down to the Ruakaka river estuary afterwards. Lunch, dinner and takeaways. Open 7-days. 2 minute drive.
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Spice Route Indian Restaurant
5 Princes RdGood Indian food, takeaway or have a seat. Has good reviews, well known in the area. Don't forget to walk (or drive) down to the Ruakaka river estuary afterwards. Lunch, dinner and takeaways. Open 7-days. 2 minute drive.
Nice surroundings and views located at One Tree Point Harbour. Local cuisine. Approximately 7 minute drive from Ruakaka. Limited opening hours on Monday and Tuesday.
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Land & Sea Cafe, Bar & Eatery
30 Rauiri DrNice surroundings and views located at One Tree Point Harbour. Local cuisine. Approximately 7 minute drive from Ruakaka. Limited opening hours on Monday and Tuesday.
Great Coffee, nice breads and treats. Good for a breakfast or lunch. Worth making a stop. 2 minute drive from Ruakaka. Right at the Ruakaka roundabout next to the Gas station.
La nonna Italian Bakery
2618 State Hwy 1Great Coffee, nice breads and treats. Good for a breakfast or lunch. Worth making a stop. 2 minute drive from Ruakaka. Right at the Ruakaka roundabout next to the Gas station.
Nice place for a breakfast/lunch or a coffee when in the Ruakaka shopping centre. Less than 2 minute drive.
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Two Birds cafe
2 Peter Snell RdNice place for a breakfast/lunch or a coffee when in the Ruakaka shopping centre. Less than 2 minute drive.
Neighbourhoods
Check out the great long beaches (swim at the life savers club) and the Ruakaka estuary which is also a bird sanctuary.
Or have a swim or kayak in the Ruakaka river. Just make sure you go out around high tide!
Ruakaka also has a small shopping centre, with a medium sized supermarket, pharmacy, bank and takeaways in walking distance from Two Birds Lodge (1 minute drive).
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Ruakaka
Check out the great long beaches (swim at the life savers club) and the Ruakaka estuary which is also a bird sanctuary.
Or have a swim or kayak in the Ruakaka river. Just make sure you go out around high tide!
Ruakaka also has a small shopping centre, with a medium sized supermarket, pharmacy, bank and takeaways in walking distance from Two Birds Lodge (1 minute drive).