The Three Furlongs Bar, Grill & Hotel—affectionately known as the 3 Furs—is a quintessential country pub and hotel located on State Highway 1 in Kaiwaka, Northland. Rooted in local community history dating back to 1966, the venue offers a warm, family-friendly gathering spot for both Kaiwaka locals and travelers voyaging north.
The kitchen presents a contemporary Kiwi menu emphasizing fresh, local produce and regional seafood, complemented by Thai wok offerings in the evenings and weekends. With a spacious dining setting, accommodation options, function spaces for celebrations, and a complimentary courtesy van service for surrounding towns, the Three Furlongs serves as a true hub in lower Northland.
Perched directly along State Highway 1 in Kaiwaka, the Three Furlongs Bar, Grill & Hotel stands as one of Northland’s most enduring and welcoming roadside stops. Affectionately dubbed 'the 3 Furs,' this multifaceted venue brings together a lively public bar, a full-service grill, guest accommodation, and community event hosting under one roof. Whether breaking up a long road trip up north or settling in for a hearty community meal, guests find an unpretentious, family-friendly venue dedicated to hearty fare and genuine hospitality.
The origins of the pub are tied to a twelve-year community battle that began in 1954. At the time, Kaiwaka was completely dry with nowhere to purchase liquor or secure overnight lodging, requiring travelers and residents to travel to Mangawhai, Maungaturoto, or Wellsford. Spearheaded by local resident Rue Colson and an energetic committee of townsfolk, efforts to secure a liquor license persisted through years of legal hearings, brewery opposition, and bureaucratic delays.
A publican's license was eventually awarded to Mr. E.C. Pipe, an avid racing enthusiast from Avondale. When the doors officially swung open in June 1966, Pipe was asked why he christened the establishment 'The Three Furlongs.' As a racing man, he admitted with good humor that his racehorses always tended to stop around the three furlongs mark—well short of the finish line—and he hoped travelers heading north would do the exact same thing. In 2015, new proprietors known locally as 'The Sparkies' took over, refreshing the heritage pub while retaining its quintessential rural Kiwi charm.
The kitchen at the Three Furlongs celebrates contemporary Kiwi comfort dining. Sourcing heavily from fresh, regional produce and local Northland seafood, the grill offers daytime and evening dining from midday onwards. Alongside traditional pub staples, the venue operates a dedicated Thai Wok menu starting late afternoon during the week and from noon across Saturday and Sunday, giving visitors a wide variety of comforting meals to pair with cold draught beer.
Gatherings of all sizes are accommodated across the grounds. Private functions—including weddings, birthdays, corporate events, and club get-togethers—cater for groups up to 100 people. Regular visitors also enjoy community hospitality perks, including a free main meal promotion for patrons celebrating their birthday alongside family and friends.
Recognizing its rural setting, the Three Furlongs provides a free courtesy van to ensure patrons get home safely. Operating with advance bookings across Kaiwaka, Wellsford, Mangawhai, and Maungaturoto, the service exemplifies the pub's commitment to community welfare. For anyone navigating the Twin Coast Discovery Highway or exploring the Kaipara District, stopping short at the 3 Furs remains an essential Northland tradition.