KAURI CLIFFS - MATAURI BAY
Set on 6,000 acres near Matauri Bay, Northland, The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs affords spectacular 180-degree views of the Pacific Ocean. Cape Brett and the offshore Cavalli Islands are part of the panorama which can be viewed from the verandas, lounge, card and dining rooms.
Kauri Cliffs consists of eleven outlying guest cottages, each with two guest suites providing twenty-two accommodation units at Kauri Cliffs. Every suite offers its own private porch, comfortable bedroom with sitting area and open fireplace, walk-in his and hers wardrobes and a bathroom with a shower, bathtub and his and hers vanities. The cottages are nestled on the edge of a native forest overlooking the ocean and golf course. The eleven cottages comprise 16 Deluxe units (approximately 900 sq ft) and 6 standard units (approximately 765 sq ft) which are nestled on the edge of native bush looking east from private verandas across the golf course and the Pacific Ocean. They are in a staggered row to the north of the main lodge building along a meandering tree studded path.
The main lodge, which overlooks the golf course and the Pacific Ocean, consists of a spacious beamed living room, meeting room, card room, and small computer room. Gourmet a la carte dining is available in the main dining room or on the verandas.
Amenities include two Astroturf tennis courts, an infinity swimming pool with spa and a fully equipped fitness centre. Kauri Cliffs has three secluded swimming beaches, which are also available for picnics and barbeques. Guests can enjoy this beautiful property and also experience a variety of nearby activities including world famous game fishing, scuba diving, snorkelling, sailing, sea kayaking, and hunting for boar and pheasant. Guided tours feature visits to the Ninety Mile Beach, Tane Mahuta, Doubtless Bay, the Puketi Kauri Forest, Rainbow Falls, historic Russel and the Waitangi Treaty House.
Your guide, Dr. Greg Blunden, one of New Zealand’s experts on native flora, fauna and bird life, offers Guided Nature Trails. Dr. Blunden will collect you from reception and take you on a guided tour of the property by luxury four-wheel drive vehicle and, if you are feeling active, he will guide you along the nature walking trails.
Fishing is a religion around Kauri Cliffs and the local fishing legend, Des, will take you to one of the beaches on the property. You may well hook snapper or kahawai (similar to a blue fish) and you can bring your catch back to the lodge and the chef will prepare it for your dinner. This is fresh fish at its best! A big part of this fishing experience is taking in the serenity and beauty of these spectacular surroundings (not to mention the tall tales of Des!)
Wonderful scenic attractions abound near Kauri Cliffs. Tours feature visits to the Ninety Mile Beach, Tane Mahuta (New Zealand’s largest Kauri tree), Doubtless Bay, the Puketi Kauri Forest, Rainbow Falls, historic Russell and the Waitangi Treaty House. Magnificent sand dunes abound near Ahipara where all terrain vehicles may be rented. Arrangements can be made to see these attractions by guided motor tour, helicopter or aeroplane.
Boats make regular scheduled excursions to the hole in the rock at Cape Brett. A half-day or full day of sailing will take you to secluded bays of the Cavalli Islands where you can swim and picnic.
Diving or snorkelling in the Bay of Islands is superb. A private trip to remote islands or to shipwrecks and the chance to swim with dolphins are all possible.
Zane Grey wrote of the great marlin and swordfish offshore and thereby popularised deep-sea fishing in the Bay of Islands. Most of the world-record striped marlin and makos have been caught in the waters nearby. Charters can be arranged at either Kingfish Lodge at world famous Whangaroa Harbour or at Paihia. Or, perhaps best of all, you can be picked up from one of the Kauri Cliff beaches.
Mountain bikes are available to enable you to explore the property although bicycles are not permitted on the golf course.
There are many beautiful walks over the 6000-acre property ranging from a 10-minute bush walk, which takes in the magnificent Kauri Tree (700-900 years old) to a two-hour walk that includes a visit to the waterfall.
There is no better way to relish this sub-tropical paradise than by sea kayak. It’s all about water in Northland which is one of New Zealand’s premium paddling locations. This is as gentle or as challenging an experience as you wish a tour will be tailored to your experience level. Those who are feeling more adventurous can paddle to the Cavalli Islands to enjoy pristine water and striking scenery. Your tour guide will be yours for the day so you can make the trip as long or as short as you wish.
A boat can be organised for bottom fishing for snapper, kingfish, hapuka, trevally and kahawai.
You can be collected from Kauri Cliffs by helicopter and fly Northland’s spectacular coast to meet a 4-wheel drive vehicle which will take you to the very top of the North Island, Cape Reinga. The flight back also takes in incredible scenery with the option of stopping on a secluded beach for a swim or a stroll before returning to the lodge. Alternatively, there is a fixed wing flight available from Kerikeri airport.
Horse riding facilities are located on a farm 40 minutes from the Lodge. The rolling farmland is magnificent and surrounds waterfalls, caves and forest. Available to all levels of riders.
Aroha Island, 40-minutes away, is a reserve for New Zealand’s national icon, the kiwi. Take a guided evening excursion into native bush and experience the ‘call’ of the kiwi and an opportunity to see them in their natural habitat. This adventure can only take place in the evening hours. You will be collected from the lodge just before sunset by the local specialist Dr. Greg Blunden.
Guests can enjoy this beautiful property and also experience a variety of nearby activities including world famous game fishing, scuba diving, snorkelling, sailing, sea kayaking, and hunting for boar and pheasant. Guided tours feature visits to the Ninety Mile Beach, Tane Mahuta, Doubtless Bay, the Puketi Kauri Forest, Rainbow Falls, historic Russel and the Waitangi Treaty House.
There are two private launches available for charter. The MV Waikopou and Sian depart from Doves Bay or Paihia in the Bay of Islands. Your hosts will stop in a secluded bay giving you the opportunity to swim and explore the islands or simply sit back with a glass of wine and take in the scenery. All tours are catered to your requirements and include a beautiful lunch or morning and afternoon tea.
If scuba diving is your interent then the ‘Rainbow Warrior’, one of the world’s top wreck-dives, is located a short distance away. There are also many scenic dives where you will encounter plentiful marine life - crayfish, kina, paua, seahorses, octopus and masses of schooling fish to name a few. You may wish to stop on an island beach between dives and enjoy a picnic lunch.
Car tours to visit New Zealand’s oldest house, Kemp House, and the nearby historic Stone Store are available. There are craft shops, a chocolate factory and the not to be missed Rainbow Falls. Marsden Estate vineyard is a lovely place to have lunch.
You can visit the historic Treaty House, Paihia/Waitangi, where the pact between the Maori leaders and Queen Victoria was signed in 1840. The lovely grounds, museum, Maori meetinghouse and world’s largest war canoe make this a unique trip. There are live Cultural Performances each day. From Paihia you have the option of taking a round trip jet boat ride on The Excitor to see The Hole in the Rock and the scenic Bay of Islands.
Puketi Forest offers an amazing walk among the giant Kauri and other varieties of flora and Kawiti Glow Worm Caves offer guided tours
Whether it’s for the perfect wind-down after a day’s golf, to de-stress and rejuvenate after hours of travelling or for pure indulgence the Spa at Kauri Cliffs is a haven for unprecedented relaxation. Treatments include Massage, Reflexology, Personalised Yoga Sessions, Manicures, Pedicures and Facials. Take time for yourself and complete your stay in this magical sanctuary.
Kauri Cliffs is approximately one hour by helicopter and almost four hours from Auckland. There are daily scheduled flights to Kerikeri/Bay of Islands airport and charter flights are also available
