December, 2013
There is a very nice, lesser-known excursion in Northland: Taupo Bay. The bay itself is just north of Whangaroa Harbor, but the road to get there is half way between Whangaroa and Mangonui and so is yet another good excuse to detour north to Mangonui for those famous fish and chips.
Taupo Bay will never be on anyone’s “must do” list, and I would not recommend it for anyone short on time. But it’s a nice excursion of you’re staying in the Bay of Islands for awhile, a beautiful stretch of white sand beach devoid of tourists. –Cyndi