Welcome to Leigh by the sea
Goat Island
Famous for Goat Island
Turn off State Highway One at Warkworth and follow the signs to the Goat Island Marine Reserve, passing through the Matakana Valley and its vineyards and Saturday morning markets. The road winds its way to Whangateau Harbour, climbs over a hill with magnificent views of Little Barrier Island and into the village of Leigh.
Snorkel or scuba dive off the beach or just watch the fish from the rocky shore or from the Glass Bottom Boat at Goat Island. Having been protected for over 30 years, this marine reserve has snapper, blue maomao and a dozen other species of fish close to shore. Dive and snorkelling gear can be hired locally.
Leigh Wharf
Pretty Leigh Harbour, home to a fleet of commercial fishing boats, is the access to other diving and fishing spots around the islands of the Hauraki Gulf. In addition there is good diving at Leigh Reef, Matheson Bay, Ti Point and Tawharanui.
During an easterly swell with an offshore wind surfers head to Daniel’s Reef, Tawharanui, Goat Island, Omaha or Pakiri.
Mathesons Bush Walkway
Walkways extend east and west along the coast above the marine reserve. Leigh Harbour Walkway around the harbour passes the boat ramp and historic Jolly Fisherman’s Lodge. A Clifftop Walkway meanders around the coast giving fantastic views and finishing at Matheson Bay where a bush walk follows the river to Leigh Road. At Ti Point the track follows the coastline under the shade of large pohutukawa trees.
Within easy driving are the beaches of Pakiri, Matheson Bay, Omaha and Tawharanui and the regional parks at Pakiri, Tawharanui, Mahurangi and Scandrett. Pakiri is one of the finest undeveloped beaches anywhere where you can walk or take a horse ride.
Whangateau Harbour
Bring your kayak and explore the coast or the Whangateau Harbour.
Bird life includes kaka – a native parrot, bellbirds, tui and kereru. There are even a few kookaburras. Little blue penguins feed around the coast during the day and come ashore at night. Australasian gannets, pied shags and oyster catchers are common. Bottlenose dolphins and orca are often seen close to shore while common dolphins and Bryde’s whales are usually further out.
New Zealand’s only reptile park is at Ti Point where the huge variety of reptilian wildlife includes tuatara, alligator, turtles and tortoises.
Snapper at Goat Island
Stay a little longer in one of the accommodations in the area. There are camping grounds at Pakiri, Goat Island and Whangateau, a variety of bed and breakfast establishments and a motel. The Sawmill Café’s food and gigs are legendary and so are the fresh fish takeaways at Leigh.
For more information see the Warkworth to the Coast book, $20 at local shops.
View a slideshow of images taken in the area on FLICKR.