Visit my Village: A local's guide to Tūtūkākā

Published on 08 December 2025

Take the road less travelled! While Whangārei is full of wonderful activities, events and restaurants, there's plenty to discover in the small villages spread throughout our district.

As business and operations manager for Ula Stays, Beatriz Longley knows a thing or two about what visitors love about the Tūtūkākā Coast. Here she shares some of her personal must-do's in the area.

My three must-do activities in Tūtūkākā are...

1. "Definitely walk the headland track between the Whale Bay carpark and Matapōuri. The walk itself is beautiful, and you have lots of areas along the way to admire the vast views. You end up at Matapōuri, and you can choose between two different beaches to have a break before finishing the loop back to the carpark".

   Where to find it: This all-weather track can be started from the Whale Bay carpark or from the northern end of Matapōuri Beach. A circular walk can be completed via the Morrison Reserve Track or Ridge Track.

2. "Go for a drink and a bite to eat at Schnappa Rock".

   Where to find it: 1 Marina Road, Tūtūkākā Marina.

3. "Have a game of tennis with friends at the Ngunguru Sports & Recreation Club".

   Where to find it: Kopipi Crescent, Ngunguru.

The best place to grab a coffee and bite to eat is...

"Marina Woodfire Dining serves good coffee, and their cabinet food is incredible".

Where to find it: 1 Marina Road, Tūtūkākā Marina (past the Deep Sea Anglers Club).

My favourite local shop or gallery is...

"The Tutukaka Gallery is a great place to go for local prints and art, I love the work of Paul Harris. I don't think I can ever go to Urchin in Tūtūkākā and leave without buying something; they have a great selection of local products, and the shop is tastefully curated. Elizabeth French's jewellery is also fantastic, and you can purchase it from Tutukaka Surf beside Urchin."

Where to find it: All are located at 11 Marina Road, Tūtūkākā Marina.

My favourite family-friendly activity is...

"Go for an explore and do one of the walks around the coast or our Friday routine of tennis lesson at the Ngunguru club and then dinner at a local restaurant. There're some great playgrounds on the coast too, including the Whale Tail Playground (Kopipi Crescent, Ngunguru) and the new fenced Rikoriko Park playground at the Deep Sea Anglers Club".

If you're looking for local flavours, don't go past...

"The veggie box from Nadia's Whole Garden. She also runs various food and farm related workshops from time to time. We always grab avocados from Operacado Orchard on our way from town and there is nothing like the strawberries from Glenbervie".

Where to find it: Nadia's Whole Garden: 698 Ngunguru Road, Glenbervie. Operacado Orchard: 643 Ngunguru Road, Glenbervie.

My favourite local markets or regular events are...

"During summer we love to go to Schnappa Rock when there is live music on. Tūtūkākā also has the Twilight markets over summer. The other thing we love is the yoga on the beach in Matapōuri with local yoga teacher Nancy Jean Mirales (and she runs these sessions beyond summer).

I love living in Tūtūkākā because...

"I love the community and the sense that people are there for each other when needed. I also love how connected to nature we feel living here, our daughter's playground is our closest beach".

Thank you to Beatriz from Ula Stays for sharing your local insights! Ula Stays offers luxury boutique accommodation on the Tūtūkākā Coast - ulastays.co.nz.