Dargaville Museum, also known as Dargaville Maritime Museum

One-hour show about the kumara (sweet potato), a major crop in the area, and a half-hour ride (weather permitting) on the kumara train made out of oil drums. Booking essential. Lunch or teas by arrangement. There is also Searle's Marine Collection, which includes items of geology, fossils, seashells, fish, kauri gum, ship wrecks.

three freshwater dune lakes

This large museum in a small village tells the story of the pioneering days through the use of kauri timber and kauri gum (fossilised resin).