Mangawhai's main claim to fame is the surf beach and its large hilltop car park fills up quickly in peak season. To the south a narrow spit of sand stretches for kilometres to form the estuary's southern head, sheltering a seabird sanctuary. Across the estuary the beautiful, seemingly empty expanse of dunes is home to precious wildlife including endangered dotterels and fairy terns who nest in the sand.
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Mangawhai Heads
Top choice in Bay of Islands & Northland
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
17.06 MILES
Only 3km from Leigh, this 547-hectare aquatic area was established in 1975 as the country’s first marine reserve. In less than 40 years the sea has…
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23.35 MILES
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1.93 MILES
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29.09 MILES
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23.56 MILES
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26.91 MILES
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1.93 MILES
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3.6 MILES
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17.06 MILES
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