Northland

Make the most of two coasts

If you like the sand between your toes and seafood on your plate, Northland is the beachiest area of New Zealand. In some parts of the region, the east and west coasts are barely 10 kilometres from each other.

Slideshow     8 shots A TALE OF TWO COASTS New Zealand's most northern region is overloaded with stunning beaches, native forests and year round mild temperatures. View Slideshow

For a taste of everything that makes Northland great, take the Twin Coast Discovery Highway - a touring route that lets you explore both coasts. You’ll probably begin in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, then follow the east coast to the Bay of Islands. On the way there are many magnificent surf beaches to enjoy - Tawharanui and Omaha east of Warkworth; Pakiri, Mangawhai and Waipu on the way to Whangarei; and Sandy Bay on the Tutukaka Coast, a beach much loved by the surfing fraternity for its reliable break. Beach houses are available for rent in nearly every seaside settlement.

Once in the Bay of Islands, you can arrange to go swimming with dolphins, sailing around the islands and or big game fishing. While Paihia is the main town in this area, Waitangi is the seat of Maori culture. Sweeping ocean views provide a backdrop for the beautiful gardens surrounding the Waitangi Treaty House and the ornately carved Maori meeting house - Te Whare Runanga. Within the grounds of the estate, you can also see Ngatokimatawhaoru - a large ceremonial waka (canoe).

	The spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean are enough to put you off your swing!
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A loop of Northland wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the magical Waipoua Forest where Tane Mahuta stands tall as the largest kauri in existence - almost five metres in diameter. To understand the significance of this tree, visit the fascinating kauri museum in Matakohe.

Episode 8 - Northland

Expecting a warm welcome at a Northland chilli farm, Bender and Mark were surprised to find the place deserted - the farmer couldn’t resist the call of the waves. They jumped the fence and helped themselves to the red hot crop. Persimmons were next on their picking list, then local chef Mark Collins took them to gather fresh scallops that had washed up on the beach during an overnight storm. Shellfishing made easy! Being of a competitive nature, the chefs couldn’t resist a little wager at a nearby shooting range. They agreed that the loser would be required to swim across an eel-infested stream. Mark won; Bender swam.

BEN AND MARK'S RECIPES Check out the recipes cooked in this episode and try to replicate the guy's meals at home using the best of New Zealand's produce. Read More