The Highlands offers privacy and seclusion yet is only a 10 minute drive to the centre of Waipu or to Langs Beach. The Highlands also borders with Te Araroa Trails bringing the opportunity to interact with interesting characters from all over New Zealand and abroad, as well as explore your own backyard in greater depth.
Waipu is a thriving village rich in Scottish heritage, a bustling local art and craft scene, exciting markets, as well as cafés, restaurants and health shops.
Sand & Surf
Combining the best of both bush and coastal living, The Highlands has unrestricted views of Bream Bay, which stretches from Langs Beach in the south to Marsden Point in the north. With 22 kilometers of golden sand and clear blue waters this really is as close to paradise as you will find.
Ten minutes from The Highlands is Waipu Cove Beach, where you can swim or surf, then enjoy a bite at the Cove Café. A little further south is stunning Langs Beach, this white sandy beach is framed by craggy headlands and shady pōhutukawas making it the perfect spot to enjoy the sun and a book.
Continue south to Mangawhai and Mangawhai Heads for surfing, sunbathing and fishing, or head north to Uretiti Beach for horseback riding.
Markets
Every second Sunday of the month Coronation Hall hosts the Waipu Boutique Market selling local and hand-made food, arts and crafts. Four times a year on long weekends, in the Main street of Waipu you will find the lively Waipu Street Market, while every Saturday between 9a.m. and 1p.m., you can stroll through the local farmers market at Mangawhai Heads. If you feel you like an early start, Whangārei also holds their weekly Farmers Market (the first farmers market established in the country) on Saturday mornings between 6.30a.m. and 10.30a.m.
Running over the summer months on a Friday in Whangarei is the Canopy Food Market, a fortnightly open air food market. Whilst on Saturday, an Artisan Market running from 3p.m. to 7p.m. providing quality craft and art, food, music and entertainment, both situated in the lively Town Basin. Also fortnightly at Tutukaka you will find the Twilight Market running on a Saturday from 4.30p.m. to 8p.m, located at the Northern end of the Tutukaka Green, with the beautiful Tutukaka Marina as a backdrop, this twilight summer market features live music, food, northland artists, artisans, service providers and curators.
Boating & Golf
Need to launch the boat? Marsden Cove Marina is just 20 minutes away. With boat servicing, hard stand facilities and marina berths, as well as cafés and shops, it has everything you would expect from a world class marina.
The Waipu Golf Course is settled in the sand dunes above Uretiti Beach and boasts some of the best greens in the country. For the course that the professionals play on, head south to Mangawhai Golf Club.
Whangārei & Northland
The Highlands is an easy 40 minute drive to Whangārei, making it the perfect location for your dream lifestyle or as a weekend getaway.
New Zealand’s most northern city, Whangārei, has a population of just over 90,000. As well as all the essentials you’ll find art galleries, museums, restaurants and cafés, bars, libraries, an aquatic centre and plenty more to keep you entertained. In the heart of Whangārei, Mt Parihaka offers panoramic views of Whangārei and the bustling, vibrant Town Basin Marina hugging the mouth of the Hātea River.
Heading further north you’ll reach the Bay of Islands and the Far North, with great places for fishing, walking, swimming and surfing. From your base in The Highlands, all of Northland is there for you to discover, experience and enjoy.