Great Exhibition Bay

The Far North


On the east coast, Great Exhibition Bay has dazzling snow-white silica dunes. There’s no public road access, but some tours pay a koha (donation) to cross Māori farmland or approach the sand by kayak from Parengarenga Harbour.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The Far North attractions

1. Ngā-Tapuwae-o-te-Mangai

3.26 MILES

With its two domed towers (Arepa and Omeka, alpha and omega) and the Rātana emblem of the star and crescent moon, you could be forgiven for mistaking this…

2. Te Paki Giant Sand Dunes

15.93 MILES

A large chunk of the land around Cape Reinga is part of the Te Paki Recreation Reserves managed by DOC. It’s public land with free access; leave the gates…

3. Cape Reinga

23.89 MILES

This dramatic headland is where the waters of the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean meet, swirling and breaking together into waves up to 10m high in stormy…

4. Gumdiggers Park

25.21 MILES

Kauri forests covered this area for 100,000 years, leaving ancient logs and the much-prized gum (used for making varnish and linoleum) buried beneath…

5. Karikari Estate

26.29 MILES

Part of the Carrington Resort complex, Karikari Estate produces wines of all hues and has a cafe attached. While the wine tastings are shamelessly…