Visiting Northland

Whangarei is New Zealand’s Northernmost City and enjoys a sub-tropical climate.

It offers plenty to visitors, both within the District itself and also as a gateway to other Northland attractions such as The Bay of Islands and Cape Reinga.
To view some of these attractions visit See&do New Zealand for some awesome videos of our district. For a selection around Whangarei click the links below.

Whangarei Tutukaka Coast Bream Bay Mangawhai

Diving & Fishing

The Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve is renowned as one of the worlds top dive locations. Further recreational diving is available on the artificial reef created off Tutukaka by the sunken frigates Tui and Waikato.

Excellent boat launching facilities available throughout the district, good shore fishing also. Big Game Fishing is exceptional in season (December to April) with record catches off the Tutukaka Coast.

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Whangarei Falls

Whangarei Falls is known as the most photogenic waterfall in New Zealand, dropping 25 metres into a beautiful bush-fringed pool.

Located centrally at Tikipunga, 5km north east of the city, a short 10 minute drive from the city centre.

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Quayside Town Basin

In the heart of the city, a popular haven for international yachts, with an award winning waterfront development. Incorporates the renown Clapham Clock collection, art galleries, shops, cafes and restaurants.

Shopping in Whangarei City

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Shopping

The central shopping area is centered around The Strand, Quality Street, and the newly renovated Cameron Street Mall. Specialist boutiques to nationwide department stores all feature.

Kiwi North:

Including Whangarei Museum, Clarke Homestead & Kiwi House

The Exhibition Centre features relics of our European history and a fine collection of Maori artifacts. The Clarke Homestead was built in 1885 and remains a unique example of an original, unrestored homestead. The Kiwi House offers the opportunity to see our nocturnal and endangered Kiwi bird.

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Mount Parihaka

Mount Parihaka towers 242 metres above the city and offers a superb panoramic view of the city and harbour. The summit can be reached by road, or by walkway from Mair Park or indeed the walkways mentioned below.

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Parks and Walkways

The district has abundant native forest and a great variety of marked trails to suit any age or fitness ability. Notable parks and walkways within the district are Mair Park, Parahaka Reserve, AH Reed Memorial Park (500 year old Kauri trees), Mount Manaia, Bream Head, Smugglers Cove, and Whale Bay. Abbey Caves are just a few minutes from the city centre, and offer an opportunity to discover extensive unspoiled limestone caves.

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Beaches

Beautiful beaches are all within a 30-minute drive of the city – sparkling white sands of the Bream Bay, Whangarei Heads and Tutukaka coastlines, or the tranquil beauty of Whangarei’s deepwater harbour.

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Cultural & Conference Centre

The Whangarei Centrally located Forum North is a community complex offering a superb theater for local and visiting performing arts groups.

The conference and meeting rooms are available for hire to the general public for conferences, exhibitions, banquets and seminiars. Other facilities are available at Northland Event Centre with grand views out over the playing field.

Of course many of the local hotels and motels have facilities for meetings and conferences.

Venue Manager
Ph: (09) 430 4244
Fax: (09) 430 4212

Or visit the Venues and Events Whangarei Website for further information.

FROM THE AIRPORT

Due to the airports location on the end of a peninsular, there is in fact a lot to do right from the airport itself.

It is just a short walk down the hill (Pah Road) and you are on Beach Road. As its name implies it follows the shoreline around the end of the peninsular. About 2.5 Km of water side viewing with panoramic views out onto the harbour. Good safe swimming, a childrens park bench seating etc. Great for a picnic.

No need to hire a car with all this just 5 minutes walk away.

If you go down Cockburn Street right to the end you will join the Waimahunga Track. This track initially follows the old Onerahi rail trail. The 1st 3 km crosses through native bush. The trail is well formed, wide, hard surfaced and suitable for all weather. Very popular with the locals. There are branch tracks that take you up to the local shops (Tavern) or you can continue on to where it meets Waimahunga Road where it turns into a shared pedestrian cycle path that takes you all the way into town and the very popular loop.

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