Whangarei is a thriving, subtropical city by the sea. It’s home to a vibrant arts community, and a beautiful quayside with plenty of cafes where you can while away the day people-watching and looking out to sea. TheNorthland Region of NewZealand offers plenty to satisfy even the most well-travelled visitors.
Get a Bird’s Eye View
To get a bird’s eye view of Whangarei, head for Mount Parihaka, the highest point in the city. This place was once the site of the largest fortified Māori village in New Zealand. Today, excavations are visible, with visitor information available on-site that explains the history of the area. The area can be accessed via an enjoyable walk through native forest that goes all the way to the summit.
Relax by the Waterfront
One of the most beautiful features of Whangarei is its beautiful waterfront and marina, known by locals as the Town Basin. It’s a picturesque place where sophistication and style combine with modern landscaping and colonial era architecture. The beautiful international yachting marina lives alongside restaurants, cafes, art galleries, boutique shops, a loop walkway and plenty of other cultural, historic and heritage sights. The quayside is a gathering place loved by locals and tourists alike, with plenty of stylish cafes and restaurants to enjoy. Come down for a stroll and then stop in somewhere for a bite to eat or peruse the shops at your leisure.
Explore the Museums and Galleries
As well as offering the opportunity to enjoy glorious architecture and food, Whangarei is also great for galleries and museums. West of the city centre, in the suburb of Maunu, you’ll find the excellent Kiwi North: Museum, Kiwi House and Heritage Park. The museum focuses on natural history museum and also features a kiwi bird house, as well as the nearby native bird recovery centre that nurses native birds back to health.
The Whangarei Art Museum Te Manawa Toi is a great way to spend an hour or two browsing the city’s art collection, which features both older and more contemporary art work. There’s also plenty of art related to the local area that offers an interesting insight into the local history.
For a museum of an entirely different nature, head for Claphams National Clock Museum, home to the largest collection of timepieces in the Southern Hemisphere, with a collection of rare and wonderful clocks ranging from the beautiful to the bizarre. If you’re travelling with kids, make sure to bring them along. It’s guaranteed to entertain them.
Whangarei Falls
Whangarei Falls is the most popular natural attraction in Whangarei. The 26-metre high waterfall can be admired from all angles. After taking some pictures, take the 5-minute walk from the top of the falls down to the pool below. There you’ll find basalt columns, native forest, and wildlife like birds and eels that make it hard to believe you are so close to the city centre, just 5km away.
Whangarei is a beautiful part of the world. For the best way to explore the city and its surrounds, jump in a Hertz rental car and explore at your leisure.
