Dargaville

Established by Yugoslavian immigrants in the 1870s, Dargaville is a river town with an interesting history. Stop here to enjoy the History

Originally a timber town, founded during the heyday of kauri felling and gum digging, Dargaville is built along the edge of the wide Northern Wairoa River. Dairy farming is the main local industry; the district also produces around two thirds of New Zealand’s kumara (sweet potato) crop. The town has re-employed many of its 19th century buildings – you’ll find cafes, art shops and other interesting retail opportunities. The Dargaville Museum has an interesting collection of Maori artefacts, shipwreck treasures and gum digging exhibits. At nearby Matakohe, a theme museum honours the historic kauri industry.

Dargaville, Gateway to the Kauri Forest, two and a half hours drive north west of Auckland, is a unique town of approximately 4,800 people and nestles amongst the hills radiating northwards from the Northern Wairoa River.

In the past two decades Dargaville has grown as a tourist destination, especially as a central base from which to visit the virtually untouched and unspoiled recreational paradise - The Kauri Coast, the Great Outdoors to which more and more discerning visitors are returning each year.

The residential areas of Dargaville show the homes of the past, villas and bungalows with the newer architecture emerging. Dargaville's modern cafes, restaurants, hotels and motels, backpackers, motor camps, stand alongside tributes of the past such as the Gumdigger Statue, and offer a full range of all the services that will satisfy any vistors requirments.

The friendly retailers in this town have a policy of 'nothing being too much trouble' and 'if we haven't got it we'll get it for you as soon as possible'. A great place to stay, picnic. Once you have been exposed to the Dargaville experience you will inevitably return bringing your friends with you. There's something about the laid back atmoshphere and informal, friendly hospitality that makes people want to return and discover more about our natural heritage in the surrounding environs.

Dargaville has a small conveniently situated Airport on the banks of the Northern Wairoa River and is within easy reach of Whangarei's larger air terminal. The town is also serviced by two major bus services providing daily travel to Auckland.

Functional facts: Approx. population: 4,800, Visitor Centre, good range of shops and services.