Totara Country Lodge

Totara country Lodge Dining Room

Just spent a deliciously relaxing Queen’s Birthday Weekend at Totara Country Lodge in the sleepy hamlet of Totara North. Tony had a Uni exam to study for so I headed north with friends on Saturday morning, taking a leisurely, and suprisingly traffic-free drive with frequent stops to sample local wares. One of my favourite haunts in Northland is the Kaiwaka Cheese Shop which has a wonderful selection of cheeses, cured meats, wine and Dutch delicacies.

I slept in the gorgeous, self-contained cottage

Totara Country Lodge is located just a little north of Kaeo and about 20 minutes south of Mangonui (home of the best fish and chips in the North). It’s a beautifully restored kauri villa and cottage, set on about 5 acres of garden, lawns and native bushland, with views of nearby Whangaroa harbour. The main house has a gorgeous,  modern kitchen which we made good use of with a big lamb roast on Saturday night and full cooked breakfast on Sunday morning. The weather was pretty atrocious but we were very snug and warm thanks to the big open fire in the main living room.

There are 3 double bedrooms in the villa, a separate lounge and dining room, modern bathroom and laundry. There’s plenty of space for up to 3 couples, or your family. The separate cottage is fully self-contained, and a delightful love-nest for a couple.

Patches of fine weather over the weekend allowed opportunity for walks to the historic wharf, cemetery and local school (founded in 1860s). The local pub – Gumdigger Hotel – is also rich with history and local characters and is an easy amble from the lodge.  We were genuinely welcomed by the local patrons when we called in for a drink on Sunday evening, enjoying some local yarns, and a good laugh. Dinner that night was enjoyed in fairly wet and blustery conditions on the wharf at Mangonui – but the fresh fish and chips, deep-fried oysters and scallops were delicious, eaten straight out of their paper wrappings.

I can highly recommend Totara Country Lodge as a place to rest and restore yourself, to get lost in a good book, go for long walks and explore the beautful coastline in this special part of Northland. Go to the website for more information and bookings. Find out more about Totara North by clicking here.