White Sands

We are situated in a very remote area of New Zealand " Extreme Far North", on the eastern seaboard of the Cape Reinga Peninsula.Cape Reinga is famous for it's "90" mile beach, with an endless panorama of wild ocean, surf, and sanddunes. Tourists use this Beach as a "Highway" when driving to tip of the Cape and the famous Lighthouse. Driving along this beach is quite an experience. From the Cape Reinga Lighthouse watch the maelstrom as the mighty Pacific and Tasman oceans meet.Embrace the mythology at Spirits Bay, where the souls of the early ancestors departed New Zealand on their journey to the afterlife.

Henderson Bay is located on the East Coast is quite different,it is surrounded by pristine unspoilt coastline, featuring endless white sandy ocean beaches, small safe swimming bays separated by rocky outcrops and rock pools. ... [+] More Some prefer our calmer blue water of the Pacific Ocean with a more serene aspect to the coastline. Henderson bay is approximately a 40 mins drive north along the State Highway to the Lighthouse, Pukenui is a 15 minute drive south of Henderson Bay. There you will find a Tavern,Cafe/Bistro, Game fishing club, Wharf, Fishing and Boat Charter operations, a well stocked General Store, Bakery, Liquor store, Golf Club, or a 35 mins drive south to the larger agricultural service town of Kaitaia with plenty of motels, shops
and other services.Our seaside settlement of Henderson Bay is rather isolated. Cell phone reception is unreliable,there are no Cafes, Shopping malls, Takeaway food, public toilets,streetlights, or sealed roads, only Stunning beaches,very good fishing, porpoises, dolphins, whales and other wildlife which includes about 2 of our 15 full time residents.
Henderson Bay is not well known and seldom visited by tourists, so you will find the Marine/Coastal enviroment very clean and healthy, the beaches are stunning.

If you prefer outdoor physical activites, like, surfcasting, boogie boarding, exploring, Tramping the many D.O.C scenic walking trails,rock fishing, diving, snorkling or mountain biking-you will enjoy your stay. The peninsula is very narrow at this location,so a 15 minute drive, via the forestry road will see you on the west coast,which is 90 Mile Beach. Go, sit on a sand dune and watch the wild horses play in the surf as the sun sets.

Holiday house 494 is a Two Bedroom, Ex farmhouse House located on a 10 acre Horticulture block which is 450 meters from the beach carpark. The house built in 1986 has an open plan design, all fittings and amenities are well maintained
and in keeping with the decor, styles and trends used during that era. Therefore it has a good sized combined kitchen/dining and
living area that opens via a ranchslider on to the deck. The deck is equipt with outdoor furniture and 2 burner gas barbeque.
For privacy, the 2 double bedrooms are well apart, each being placed at opposite ends of the building.Likewise, the toilet is a separate room at the opposite end of the building to the bathroom, which has a vanity unit and a shower. For comfort only beds and bedding are new, all else is still very much of the 1990's era. You will find it very clean, fresh and roomy. It suits people who like privacy and prefer to spread out a bit. Our shelter-belt trees obscure any views of the ocean but you can certainly hear the surf.

CHECK IN-is at the Main house -office, at 98 Otaipango Rd.

White Sands 98 is a small Semi Detached self contained unit situated across the parking area by our house. It comfortably accommodates two people and a child. The internal layout is typical of a Standard Motel situation. The toilet is in a separate room. There is a compact bathroom with a shower and a vanity unit.
In the living area is a kitchenette, a 3 seater dining table, TV, radio, and one of the queensize double beds. The other queensize bed is in the front room which has a sliding door for privacy.
The kitchenette has the usual utensils, kettle, pots, pans, etc. along with a small fridge,a microwave and a two burner hotplate.
Outside there is a small area with outdoor furniture and a gas barbeque. There is extra fridge/freezer space availiable close by.
This unit is generaly used by tired travellers who are in the area for one or two nights, require break in a quite peaceful place. That has handy access to our beaches, activities and attractions.

Note:the Unit is located 450 meters from Henderson Point, although you can hear the waves breaking on the point, walking access to the sea is prevented because there is a cliff. It is safer to go to the Henderson bay using the one kilometer long forshore the walkway, or use the road.
The unit has boat parking, boat washdown. Faxes, toll calls under 5 minutes duration, email and personal laundry are Free of charge and only availiable in our office. Note: we live in a remote area. There is no broadband service, only dial up. Extra charges apply for Kaitaia airport pick-up, transport to treks. You can hire golf clubs at the golf course office.
For the fishermen, if you don't have a fishing rod we can loan you a tired but trusty old rod that always seems to catch something, but we do ask, "please clean and fillet your fish outside on the sinkbench provided, or on the beach".

For groups that wish to tramp the many designated nature trails, scenic walks, we can organise transport to and from the start and finish of the various tracks.

Prior to confirming your booking we have found very helpful if we are able to contact you by phone to give you some local knowledge about the area, weather condtions and any special requirements you may need during your stay. You can phone us after hours or give us a landline phone so that we can call you.