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Things To Do in Whangarei
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Whangarei Attractions
The Town Basin by the harbor the place to go for a wander. There, you’ll find the Burning Issues art gallery, 8 Quayside (tel. 09/438-3108) where you can watch master glass blower Keith Grinter at work. Free to enter, it’s open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm and until 4pm on Sundays. If you’re fine with a gentle reminder that your time on holiday is slowly ticking away, there’s the Claphams National Clock Museum (tel. 09/438-3993). Displaying the personal collection of Archibald Clapham, who came to NZ in 1903 and amassed 400 clocks and music boxes, it’s open daily from 9am to 5pm; admission is NZ$10 for adults and NZ$4 for kids.
The Town Basin is also home to the Hātea Art Precinct which includes the Whangārei Art Museum (tel. 09/430-4240). It’s open daily from 10am to 4pm; entry is by donation. However, the main attraction is the new Hundertwasser Art Centre & Wairau Art Gallery.
Kiwi North (tel. 09/438-9630) is a short name with a long agenda: It encompasses the Whangārei Museum, Kiwi House, and Heritage Park and is situated on a 25-hectare (62-acre) historic farm just three minutes from town. The museum showcases natural history, historic Māori, and early-settler exhbitis. The kiwi house has a nocturnal house with a number of these iconic birds, as well as tuatara. The heritage park tells early European story with historic buildings. One of the more affordable family attractions, a pass for two adults and three kids is just NZ$45. Otherwise, adults are NZ$20 and kids 5 and over are NZ$5. It’s open from 10am to 4pm daily.
Located next door to Kiwi North is the Whangārei Native Bird Recovery Centre (tel. 09/438-1457). It’s open Monday to Thursday from 9:30am to 4pm and Fridays from noon to 4pm. Visitors are welcome at the info center and to peer into the aviaries, which contain native birds in different stages of recovery, including moreporks (owls), kiwi and white herons. Koha (donations) are welcome.
Whangārei Quarry Gardens, 37A Russell Rd. (tel. 09/437-7210), was once an old quarry site. Now, it’s been converted into a lush subtropical paradise by volunteers. There are numerous walking trails and a very good café, and guided tour by golf cart are available if booked at least 48 hours in advance. The visitor center is open daily from 9am to 5pm. Otherwise, entry is by koha (donation).
Surrounded by lush native bush, you’ll find Otuihau/Whangārei Falls, 5km (about 3 miles) from the town center on the Tutukaka road. There are plenty of walking trails nearby, as well, including some that go past ancient kauri trees.
Keen hikers, meanwhile, should consider the Te Whara Track (pictured above), one of the country’s best day hikes. A challenging 7.5km (4.6 miles) climb through the coastal forest, it rewards those who attempt it was spectacular 360-degree panoramic views of Bream Head and its surroundings. It can be accessed via Ocean Beach parking lot on Ranui Road and takes about six hours—but you’ll need to organize transportation back to your car, as it’s one-way.
If you’re short on time, Tu Tika Tours’ one-hour waterfront walk (tel. 021/507-826) will show you Whangārei through the eyes of a local Māori family (NZ$95). Run by the Hardings (Mervyn, Rangimarie, and their five kids), the tour explains the cultural, spiritual and historical context behind popular roadside attractions such as Otuihau/Whangārei Falls and Parihaka. Mervyn used to be a performer at the Auckland Museum, and it’s clear to see why when you hear his robust narration or witness one of his musical performances. Expect to be asked to sing along (in te reo Māori, of course) and to laugh—a lot—on this family-friendly tour.
For outdoor family adventures, there are three frontrunners: Adventure Forest (tel. 0210/485-300; bookings essential) is a treetops adventure park open during the summer months, with canopy bridges and ziplines. HeadsUp Adventures, 189 Whangārei Heads Rd. (tel. 09/553-3407) rents monster scooters (like fat bikes, but scooters), which you can try out on its extensive trails system. It’s open daily in the summer from 10am to 5pm. Finally, Adrenaline, 27 Hukerenui Rd. Ruatangata West (tel. 021/231-0890) is your go-to for water-based sports, including wakeboarding and NZ’s largest waterpark and inflatable obstacle course. It’s open on weekends from 11am to 5pm.
The Town Basin is also home to the Hātea Art Precinct which includes the Whangārei Art Museum (tel. 09/430-4240). It’s open daily from 10am to 4pm; entry is by donation. However, the main attraction is the new Hundertwasser Art Centre & Wairau Art Gallery.
Kiwi North (tel. 09/438-9630) is a short name with a long agenda: It encompasses the Whangārei Museum, Kiwi House, and Heritage Park and is situated on a 25-hectare (62-acre) historic farm just three minutes from town. The museum showcases natural history, historic Māori, and early-settler exhbitis. The kiwi house has a nocturnal house with a number of these iconic birds, as well as tuatara. The heritage park tells early European story with historic buildings. One of the more affordable family attractions, a pass for two adults and three kids is just NZ$45. Otherwise, adults are NZ$20 and kids 5 and over are NZ$5. It’s open from 10am to 4pm daily.
Located next door to Kiwi North is the Whangārei Native Bird Recovery Centre (tel. 09/438-1457). It’s open Monday to Thursday from 9:30am to 4pm and Fridays from noon to 4pm. Visitors are welcome at the info center and to peer into the aviaries, which contain native birds in different stages of recovery, including moreporks (owls), kiwi and white herons. Koha (donations) are welcome.
Whangārei Quarry Gardens, 37A Russell Rd. (tel. 09/437-7210), was once an old quarry site. Now, it’s been converted into a lush subtropical paradise by volunteers. There are numerous walking trails and a very good café, and guided tour by golf cart are available if booked at least 48 hours in advance. The visitor center is open daily from 9am to 5pm. Otherwise, entry is by koha (donation).
Surrounded by lush native bush, you’ll find Otuihau/Whangārei Falls, 5km (about 3 miles) from the town center on the Tutukaka road. There are plenty of walking trails nearby, as well, including some that go past ancient kauri trees.
Keen hikers, meanwhile, should consider the Te Whara Track (pictured above), one of the country’s best day hikes. A challenging 7.5km (4.6 miles) climb through the coastal forest, it rewards those who attempt it was spectacular 360-degree panoramic views of Bream Head and its surroundings. It can be accessed via Ocean Beach parking lot on Ranui Road and takes about six hours—but you’ll need to organize transportation back to your car, as it’s one-way.
If you’re short on time, Tu Tika Tours’ one-hour waterfront walk (tel. 021/507-826) will show you Whangārei through the eyes of a local Māori family (NZ$95). Run by the Hardings (Mervyn, Rangimarie, and their five kids), the tour explains the cultural, spiritual and historical context behind popular roadside attractions such as Otuihau/Whangārei Falls and Parihaka. Mervyn used to be a performer at the Auckland Museum, and it’s clear to see why when you hear his robust narration or witness one of his musical performances. Expect to be asked to sing along (in te reo Māori, of course) and to laugh—a lot—on this family-friendly tour.
For outdoor family adventures, there are three frontrunners: Adventure Forest (tel. 0210/485-300; bookings essential) is a treetops adventure park open during the summer months, with canopy bridges and ziplines. HeadsUp Adventures, 189 Whangārei Heads Rd. (tel. 09/553-3407) rents monster scooters (like fat bikes, but scooters), which you can try out on its extensive trails system. It’s open daily in the summer from 10am to 5pm. Finally, Adrenaline, 27 Hukerenui Rd. Ruatangata West (tel. 021/231-0890) is your go-to for water-based sports, including wakeboarding and NZ’s largest waterpark and inflatable obstacle course. It’s open on weekends from 11am to 5pm.
