Want to find out more about the Kauri Coast then Dargaville is an excellent place to base yourself. From heritage walks along the Northern Wairoa River to river cruises the importance of the massive Kaipara Harbour will be evident. There are small settlements, each with their own story, a lighthouse and kumera (sweet potato) to enjoy in its myriad forms as a snack, part of a meal or roasted on a BBQ. Dargaville is worth a detour.
DARGAVILLE HIGHLIGHTS
- Butter Barques And Gum Trail formerly known as Dargaville Heritage River Trail, a fascinating short walk introducing visitors to the area.
- Trounson Kauri Park for a glimpse of forest giants
- Dargaville Museum, look for the accordion collection, including well known Kevin Friedrich accordion collection and find out what it was like to be a kauri gumdigger
- Kaipara Vintage Machinery Park with its stunning views of the Kaipara Harbour
DARGAVILLE FAME
- Paikea, Paraire Karaka
Born Ōtamatea, Kaipara approximately 75km from Dargaville. Prominent Maori leader. He was Te Uri-o-Hau iwi, Methodist minister and Rātana leader, Paraire Paikea, played a leading role in forging the historic alliance between the Rātana movement and the Labour Party. He was minister in charge of the Māori war effort during the Second World War.
- Sportspeople from Dion Nash (cricket) and Dunne brothers (All Blacks) call Dargaville home
- Amelia Batistich, writer born in Dargaville 1905
Cheap deals on flights, cars, insurance, tours and activities here
DARGAVILLE NOTORIETY
- Kaipara Harbour, second largest in New Zealand with a notorious bar across the Dargaville River mouth. There are accounts of over 11o shipwrecks.
Where to Take the Best Selfie in Dargaville
- Kumera, enormous vegetable sculpture at the edge of town
- Harding Park for the sweeping views over the Northern Wairoa river and district
Harding Park, Pou Tu Te Rangi complex includes the museum’s replica Gumdiggers site, the Rainbow Warrior’s masts, Vintage Machinery Club and the Pou tu te Rangi Pa site. And neighboring the park is the old Mt Wesley Cemetery. The panoramic park overlooks the Northern Wairoa River with picnic tables and walking / cycling trails.
There are day trips along Bayleys Beach and beyond on the longest drivable beach in Aotearoa NZ to explore remements of ancient petrified kauri and wonder about waka and ships navigating the treacherous waters. You will encounter wild and uninhabited beaches where you can easily feel like an adventurer finding new territories.
Perhaps a cruise exploring the waterways of the Kaipara Harbour on the historic MV Daisy listening to tales about human endeavour in the region.
JUCY, NZ most trusted car hire company – car hire and campervans DEALS
FESTIVALS IN DARGAVILLE
- Kairpara Vintage Machinery Crank Up day (spring & autumn)
- Dargarville River Festival
- Tour of Northland cycle event
- Northland Field Day
Dargaville for Kids
- Kai Iwi Lakes, three freshwater lakes with white sandy beaches and walks
- Kaipara Vintage Machinery Park for a picnic
- Quirky Kumera Box, a farm dedicated to the unusual. Farm tours in a kumera ‘cart’ driven by a tractor. Headed by Warren Suckling otherwise known locally as ‘Ernie the kumara king
What Makes Dargaville Tick Over?
- The area exploded with opportunities in the nineteenth century with the wholesale logging of kauri. The short lived exploitative industry led to a rush of new immigrants from Croatia and beyond. Today dairying is a mainstay and the kumera crop bounty has crowned Dargaville as the Kumera Capital of New Zealand.
Best travel deals - Over 2 million happy travellers since 1962
Judgment on Dargaville
- From half day exploring the historic river walk and museum to several days there is plenty to keep visitors occupied.
Every town adds to the richness of things to do and see. For more details about the region check Far North & Northland Region nearby attractions and events.
Who Turned Up and Settled in Dargaville?
Māori settlements have been situated around the harbour for hundreds of years. The immense harbour and river were water highways connecting marae’s (villages) as well as a rich food resource. The area’s Maori name is Takiwira. The name Dargaville relates to a timber merchant, politician and banker, Joseph Dargaville.
Dargaville’s Social Media
Climate
Best Time to Go to Dargaville
- Year round, Northland climate with plenty to do indoors if it’s a bit chilly
Population
- 4,795 (2018)
- Dargaville has had a steady growth in population since the early 2000’s.
Be Careful in Dargaville
- Ocean currents, do not swim alone
Thinking about a motorhome?
Dargaville – Where to Stay
Dargaville is struggling to retain its population with dwindling financial resources and vacant shops; the town is visibly tired around the edges. Most visitors whisk through Dargaville on their way north with stops in Matakohe and Waipoua Forest. Need to stay in Dargaville overnight or a few days? Check out your options here.
Where to Stay in NZ @Dargaville Motel @Dargaville Motel @Dargaville Motel @Dargaville MotelWant to stay longer in Northland?
- According to Māori tradition, the name Kaipara had its origins back in the 15th century when the Arawa chief, Kahumatamomoe, travelled to the Kaipara to visit his nephew at Pouto. At a feast, he was so impressed with the cooked root of the para fern, that he gave the name Kai-para to the district. Kaipara comes from the Māori kai meaning “food”, and para meaning “king fern”.[4] Wikipedia
- The place, Dargaville is part of the Kaipara Harbour is one of the largest in the world (by area) econd largest in New Zealand with a treacherous sandbanks creating a notorious bar across the Dargaville River mouth.By area, the Kaipara Harbour is one of the largest harbours in the world. It covers 947 square kilometres (366 sq mi) at high tide, with 409 square kilometres (158 sq mi) exposed as mudflats and sandflats at low tide.
- Kaipara Harbour is a ship graveyard, due to the notorious sandbar, coastal currents and high tidal range there have been 43 documented shipwrecks with unconfirmed wrecks totalling over 110.
Best deals on tours and activities all around the world
If we have accidentally used your photograph without your permission, we are sorry and will remove the photograph as soon as possible. Any use without permission is an oversight… for more information regarding our Terms and Conditions check HERE.
BEST BITS TRAVEL GUIDE