7 minute read
Whangārei Must-Do's 2022-23
Northland’s only city, with its gleaming marina and well-polished places to wine and dine, Whangārei is blessed with good looks and a sharp style. As a hub for international yachties and a pedestrianised city centre, you'll likely see more boats than cars.
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The Camera Obscura Timatatanga Hou overlooks Te Matau ā Pohe Bascule Bridge and uses CCTV technology to connect with the world via the web.
Spot all the colourful artworks brightening up city spaces. Simply download the Whangārei Sculpture & Art brochure with a map of the Street Prints Manaia Street Art Trail to follow.
Hundertwasser Art Centre and Wairau Māori Art Gallery © Northland Inc
Rolling Ball Clock is a unique, kinetic sculpture that tells the time through a series of bowling balls rolling around tracks, banking corners, performing loops and riding elevators. Aim for a 1pm visit.
Claphams Clock Museum has a fine collection of timepieces with guided tours that bring history to life in ways you never knew were possible via the humble clock.
Whangārei Art Museum is located on the water's edge, showcasing a diverse and ever-changing mix of homegrown talent and far-flung artwork. Plus, it's free to visit.
Animal lovers will treasure Kiwi North's Kiwi House, Museum & Heritage Park, a multi-faceted experience for the whole family. Spy kiwi and tuatara in the nocturnal house and delve into Northland's rich history. The award-winning Whangārei Native Bird & Recovery Centre for injured birds. Where possible, birds are nursed back to health, with more than 60 percent rehabilitated and successfully released.
You'll find a subtropical haven at Whangārei Quarry Gardens, freckled with sculptures created by volunteers in a former stone quarry. Book a one-hour guided tour in an electric golf cart and then tuck into cake at the Quail Café.
Botanica Whangārei is a real little oasis. Check out the fernery of natives housed in three shade houses, a room specialising in desert succulents and a conservatory housing beautiful floral displays. Make plenty of time to enjoy it in full.
The Fudge Farm found in the town basin will help satify any sugar craving. Try one of the many unforgetable flavours, all crafted with care on site using full-cream dairy milk.
You'll find the Artisan Markets in the Town Basin Park and in front of the Hundertwasser Art Centre. Every Saturday, after Labour Weekend during summer, these markets are bustling with crafts, art, tantalising food and live music.
The Pohe Island Bike Park is perfect for toddlers on balance bikes, mountain bikers young and old, e-bikers wanting to get their confidence up, and BMX and freestyle riders.
Raumanga Waterfalls are just a five-minute drive from Whangārei in the Raumanga Valley Reserve. From the park entrance follow the walking path for five minutes (always keeping to the right) until you reach the top of the waterfall. An unofficial path leads you to the upper cascades but the official path heads downstream – a good spot for taking photos and enjoying the waterfall. Return via the same track.
TOP WALKS
Mt Manaia Track - This iconic peak is on the way to Whangārei Heads. The track involves a steady climb through regenerating native bush to the summit, where you ‘ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of Whangārei Harbour.3.5km, 2-3hr return.
Te Whara Track - This Whangārei Heads hike treks through some of the best coastal forest in the North Island to the Te Whara summit, with views of Cape Brett to Cape Rodney, and on a clear day, the Hauraki Gulf Islands too. 7.5km, 5-6hr.
Smugglers Bay Loop Track - A beautiful 5km coastal hike near Whangārei with WWII gun emplacements and stunning views. Starting from Urquharts Bay car park, the track takes you around Busby Head to Smugglers Bay.
Mt Aubrey Shoreline Loop -Take a 30-minute drive from Whangārei to walk this 3.7km loop. It has plenty of stairs and some steep sections but the views and little coves for a quick dip make it worth the effort.
Hātea River Walks - Following the river from Whangarei Town Basin to Whangarei Falls, takes approximately 3 hours one way with shorter options to Mair Park and AH Reid Memorial Park.
The Hātea Loop Walkway is a fully accessible walkway for wheels as well as walkers (and pooches on leashes, too) following the Hātea River around the town basin for 4.2km.
Hatea Loop © Whangārei District Council
WHANGĀREI HEADS
This stunning 600ha peninsula is flanked on one side by the sheltered bays of the Whangārei Harbour and ocean coastline on the other. Between these beautiful bodies of water runs a spine of 20-million-year-old volcanic peaks.
The landmarks of Mt Manaia & Mt Lion are two of the Head’s most striking physical features; these ancient volcanoes mimic the shape of the islands offshore. It is well worth a clamber up to their peaks for the spectacular views.
There are two protected marine areas at Whangārei Harbour: Waikaraka and around Motukaroro Island. The latter is ideal for low tide explorations. Swimming in the harbour is great at high tide or you can stay dry and clamber to the top of Whangārei Heads for unparalleled harbour views.
A harbour cruise is one of the nicest ways to see Whangārei Harbour and M.V. Waipapa is a small touring boat treating guests to a 90-minute harbour dalliance.
The road to Ocean Beach may have transformed from a dirt track to sealed over the years but it remains delightfully rough-hewn and isolated. There are no shops or cafés at Ocean Beach, just good surf, good people, warm water and explorable rock pools.
OUTER WHANGĀREI MUST DO’S
Just ten-minute drive from the city you'll find Whangārei Falls, some of New Zealand’s most photographed falls, towering a 26m-high. A 30-minute loop walk leads to two elevated viewing platforms as well as a picnic spot and swimming hole at its base.
If you have the kids on board, drive 13 minutes north of Whangārei City and you’ll find Adventure Forest Glenbervie, a 12 tree-top obstacle courses ready to challenge the smaller members of your clan.
Parihaka Scenic Reserve & Mt Parihaka are go-tos for forest walks alongside the Hātea River with three tracks leading to the summit of Parihaka, a former volcano and once the site of the largest pā in Aotearoa. A 10-minute drive from Whangārei.
Kamo Wildcats Sanctuary offers guided tours and the chance to hand-feed these big, beautiful cats.
Abbey Caves is just a 10-minute drive from the CBD and a real adventure. Sturdy footwear, a head torch and some caving experience are required before you head off squeezing through small spaces, wading through water and staring at throngs of glowworms.
Parua Bay is an old-world coastal village with a pretty, sheltered bay, just 22 minutes east of Whangārei. Spend a lazy afternoon at Parua Bay Tavern with its long grassy beer garden rolling into a sparkling basin of water.
Packard Motor Museum can be found in Maungatāpere, 11km from Whangārei. The old dairy building is crammed with vintage Packard cars, motorbikes and a myriad of other antique treasures. A guided tour is highly recommended.
