Mangawhai is a marvellous place for a wedding.
My aunty and her family live there and one weekend while home we headed over for a wedding - a great excuse for fun, laughter, meeting whanau and having a great time.
We took the long route to Mangawhai, which means we drove past Wellsford because we had car sick types who don't really like the winding bits on the short route through Tomorata.
Mangwhai is still a holiday beach place, though the big progress machine is changing that at a rapid pace, with more housing popping up at the northern end. Being such a short drive from Auckland a number of people now commute for work.
There is no huge mass produce mall - yet. The Village has all the basics you need for a weekend escape plus a few local souveneir shops and cafe's. And there is plenty of holiday accomodation, including camping sites.
If you want to visit surf take off to Mangawhai Heads. If you prefer the safety of a calmer water then stick to the lagoon.
Our Aunty's house looks over the lagoon, which meant, the morning after the wedding we got to look at the stunning million dollar view from the patio with the sun shining, dew on the grass and a hot coffee in hand....Marvellous. My brother, being more energetic than the rest of us, headed out to dip his toe in the water.
There are other beautiful beaches fairly close by to Mangawhai if by any chance you should get tired of relaxing on the beach at your doorstep. You can also plan a stop off at Mangawhai as part of a driving north package if your travels are not restricted by the clock so have the time for a little detour.
It is possible to do a day trip from Auckland, but for chillaxin I recommend staying over in Marvellous Mangawhai.
