Bream Bay

Gentle surf at Uretiti Beach
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Bream Bay is a continuous 23 Klms curve of pure white sand, gentle surf, warm seas and generally warm days.

The Uretiti Beach camp is run by the NZ Dept of Conservation.  It provides fairly basic ammenities; flush toilets, cold showers straight out of the Moscow production of South Pacific and not much else.

Sparkling ocean, sparkling white sand and friendly Kiwis

The camp charge is NZ$7.00 per person per day which is about 4euros.

Uretiti Beach camping ground
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The camp is right on Bream Bay. 5 minutes from both Waipu and Ruakaka shopping centres. 30 minutes from Whangarei City, movies, supermarkets restaurants, fashion shopping etc. plus renowned clock museum.

Waipu has excellent local shopping, good cafe style dining and a genuine 1940's style Kiwi pub.

Bream Bay is fairly shallow so that mainly the surf is gentle and quite safe.

10 minute takes you to Waipu Cove at the sourthern end of the bay, one of the worlds great surfing beaches.

Uretiti Beach camping ground
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At the northern end is Marsden Point, the entrance to Whangarei Harbour, with the Marsden Point Oil Refinery overshadowed by the towering volcanic peaks of Mts Manaia & Bream Head.

The Marsden Point Refinery has an excellent Visitors Centre with a marvellous model of the refinery on display. The centre also screens old movies of the refineries construction and the 'Grand Opening".  Note the plummy way Kiwis used to talk, especially the politicians.

Waipu was settled by Scottish religious refugees from Nova Scotia.  There is an excellent museum in the town with colonial artifacts and an excellent collection of movies.

Uretiti Beach cam;ping ground
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Superb pizzas at the Pizza Restaurant and fine dining at the Arthouse Restaurant.

Continuing south of Waipu Cove takes you to Langs Beach, golden sand bay with celebrity mansions.

Bathing at Uretiti Beach is generally 'Al la natural'.  The only disturbing feature is that the locals tend to 'Cruise' the beach on their farm bikes and 4WD's on Sunday afternoons.  Obviously there isn't a lot to do in Waipu on Sundays.