This waterfront beach house is nestled in the centre of Urquharts Bay, a quiet haven on the Whangarei Harbour.
Located 33km from central Whangarei city, the property is unique because it offers such a diverse range of holiday options. If visitors just want to rest and relax, they can sit peacefully on the north-facing deck and watch the world go by. There is always something happening in the bay below or further up the harbour. From people going fishing and diving, windsurfers skimming across the waves, families swimming and people beachcombing. While the main shoreline of the beach is pebbley, and beach shoes are recommended, there are sandy beaches at each end. It is very safe and an ideal spot for youngsters to learn to kayak.
Boaties find Urquharts Bay easy for launching, with a concrete ramp that can be used in all tides (4x4 is recommended). Just a short boat ride from shore, you can catch your dinner or dive for scallops. And for those with larger boats, the Hen and Chicken Islands are further off the coast and reknowned for diving. Without a boat, it's a short walk along to the Urquharts Bay jetty - another popular local fishing spot.
For those wanting to challenge themselves physically while enjoying the stunning coastal enviornment, there are 11 specially developed walking tracks in the area. These vary in fitness levels and duration. From Urquharts Bay, you can explore the Smugglers Bay walk and the Peach Cove track. It's a short drive to the base of Mt Manaia - a challenging walk with breathtaking views of the coastline. For surfers, Ocean Beach, is only six minutes drive away. The beach is patrolled in summer.
En route to Urquharts Bay, visitors can collect extra provisions from the Four Square at Parua Bay, and there is a BP service station. The Parua Bay Tavern is also on the way, and there are cafes at Parua Bay and McLeods Bay. Emergency supplies can also be purchased at the nearby Taurikura Store.
Check in 3pm, check out 11am.
Special conditions:
Kayaks - Two kayaks with adult size lifejackets.
Property Access - Trailers and large vehicles are not permitted at the rear of the property. The concrete driveway to this area is narrow and turning is tight. There is ample room for parking boats and trailers at the front of the property off-road.
Beach Footwear - The shoreline of Urquharts Bay is stoney in places, so beach shoes are recommended.
Extras: Cleaning (Required, NZ$60.00 per stay); Bedding /sheets/tea towels and towels provided)