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Outer Whangārei Must-Do's
Adventure Forest, Glenbervie - If you have the kids on board (or you’re just a big one yourself), drive 13 minutes north of Whangārei City and you’ll find 12 tree-top obstacle courses ready to challenge – and exhaust – the smaller members of your clan.
Parihaka Scenic Reserve & Mt Parihaka - Your go-to for forest walks alongside the Hātea River and three tracks leading to the summit of Parihaka, a former volcano and once the site of the largest pā in Aotearoa. There’s also a network of mountain bike trails here. A 10-minute drive from Whangārei.
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AH Reed Memorial Park - Pack a picnic and your togs, the walk between Memorial Park and Whangārei Waterfall follows the Hātea River and passes various lunch spots and swimming holes. Mature 500-yearold kauri trees can also be viewed from the pic-perfect boardwalk.
Abbey Caves - Proper shoes, a head torch and a some caving experience are required. Squeeze through small spaces, wade through water and stare at throngs of glowworms. There are three caves in total, all free to enter. A 10-minute drive from the CBD.
Parua Bay - Old-world coastal village with a pretty, sheltered bay and just 22 minutes east of Whangārei city. Lazy afternoons are best spent at the Parua Bay Tavern, with its long, grassy beer garden rolling into a sparkling basin of water.
Packard Motor Museum - Located in Maungatāpere, 11km from Whangārei, this old dairy building is crammed with vintage Packard cars, motorbikes and a myriad of other antique treasures. A guided tour is highly recommended.
Whangārei Falls - Just 10 minutes from the city, these 26m-high falls are some of New Zealand’s most photographed. A 30-minute loop walk leads to two elevated viewing platforms as well as a picnic spot and swimming hole at its base.
Whangārei Falls © Alistair Guthrie
