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Featured bach Kaiaua, Auckland Region.
An hour's drive south from the City of Auckland brings you to the Seabird Coast. This is a fascinating area to explore. Coastal and marine flora and fauna abound and it is a photographers/bird watchers delight. Marilyn and Bill invite you to their secluded coastal paradise - "Tikapa Moana Lodge"
Why Kaiaua? We came here because we fell in love with this little organic orchard containing 30 varieties of succulent fruits, and because we both are lovers of the sea (no more so than our old German Shepherd, Kea, who thinks she's an otter). The Firth of Thames is where Bill does much of his professional work in marine biology, and the Hot Springs is mainly where Marilyn performs her revitalizing Watsu therapy. We have found it a special privilege to be in such a secluded coastal paradise only an hour away from all the benefits of a big city... and to be able to share it all with others.
Microclimate, mussels, mountain biking and much more... Tikapa Moana Lodge is nestled in a sunny coastal microclimate that is ideal for growing succulent subtropical fruits and for providing warm, relaxing outdoor holidays for our visitors. A nearby mussel farm produces succulent cultured mussels, and recreational fishers in small boats flock to it particularly targeting the snapper and kahawai that thrive in the Firth throughout the year. Our guests enjoy fishing and mussel collection from rocky shore outcrops along our quiet coastal country road. |
In spring, summer and autumn the protected waters of the Firth's western shore are a haven for sea kayakers and other lovers of coastal boating and sailing (especially with children). The smooth sandy beaches at Tawhitokino and Tapapakanga Regional Parks are long, broad, flat and very safe for swimming, wading and shellfish gathering. Mountain biking on designated trails in the parks, and cycle touring along the Seabird Coast and surrounding countryside are popular the year round. Holiday toys for hire... Some of our visitors bring their own small boats or kayaks or bicycles, but Tikapa Moana Lodge also has all three available for hire. Some people bring buckets and bags to pick the organic fruits of the season to take home with them for bottling or sharing with friends or family.
Exploring Kaiaua and nearby... You can soak and play in the largest hot springs pool in the southern hemisphere at Miranda (15 mins. to the south). Tikapa Moana Lodge offers exquisite therapeutic massage and aquatic Watsu treatments for total relaxation and bliss. There are picnic sites galore along the unspoiled coast, a "world famous in New Zealand" fish n' chips shop and two restaurants at Kaiaua, a brand new café and clock museum, two grocery shops and two organic fruit stalls. Mystical dragons lurk in a well-known local pottery shop. The five regional parks of the Seabird Coast and adjoining Hunua Ranges offer a vast system of walking tracks and mountain biking opportunities that traverse unspoiled native and regrowth forest (including some significant kauri remnants), lakes, streams and mountains, with frequent stunning views of the Firth of Thames and the Coromandel. Many of our visitors do day trips to catch some of the many unique attractions of the Coromandel. One of the best activities is simply "hanging out" in the orchard: lying under a tree, picking and eating fruit, and talking to our friendly chooks.
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Secret Spots! Our personal favourite day trip is to the Mangatangi Dam (20 min. away) and surrounding forest containing pristine streams, groves of young rimu and kauri trees, and an extensive network of walking tracks in the 16,000 hectares of protected Hunua Parklands. Secluded Tapapakanga Beach set in a spectacular coastal pohutukawa forest (10 min. away) is our preferred swimming and picnicking place. Eating out... Besides the Fish n' chips and 2 restaurants in Kaiaua, there are also two excellent restaurants in nearby Clevedon. Don't miss a visit to... Only 10 minutes away is the Miranda Bird Sanctuary, an internationally renowned feeding and roosting area for migratory shorebirds, draws many visitors to the area all year long.
Our fondest holiday memories are.. The many special small gatherings we have hosted of families, old friends, workmates, spiritual, training and team building groups and personally experiencing the energy that is generated by them. Rainy Day Options... Our large open plan house is ideal for workshops, retreats and other gatherings (and the group can readily shift to the expansive deck at the back when the weather's fine). We have an extensive library of good books and challenging games. And best of all, the hot springs are just down the road! Holiday Activities for Children... Kids love the playground by the sea at Kaiaua, the many safe beaches, and the shallow pools in the stream at Waharau Park. Visit www.seabirdcoast.co.nz for more information about the Seabird Coast.
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