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Whangārei (Māori: [faŋaːˈɾɛi]) [4] is the northernmost city in New Zealand and the regional capital of Northland Region. It is part of the Whangarei District, a local body created in 1989 from the former Whangārei City, Whangārei County and Hikurangi Town councils, to administer both the city proper and its hinterland.
Discover the subtropical Whangārei, a city of adventure, culture and natural beauty. Head for the summit of Mount Parihaka, the highest point in the city. It was once the site of the largest Māori Pā (fortified village) in New Zealand.
- Visit Kiwi North
- Visit Whangārei Falls
- Hike Up Mt. Mania
- Wander Around Whangārei Quarry Gardens
- Head Down Into Abbey Caves
- Catch A Boat to Poor Knights Islands
- Head Out on A Kayaking Tour
- Explore A.H. Reed Memorial Kauri Park
- Try Glow-In-The-Dark Mini Golf
- Visit Claphams National Clock Museum
Kiwi Northis home to Whangārei Museum, a Heritage Park and our personal favourite – the Kiwi House. It’s the only kiwihouse in Northland. It is a nocturnal enclosure that replicates the kiwi’s natural environment, making this the perfect opportunity to see our treasured bird. Kiwi’s are pretty hard to see in the wild but here you can spot them fora...
If you’re a fan of nature, then visiting Whangārei Falls is for you. This beautiful waterfall is the most visited natural feature in Whangārei and it isn’t hard to see why! The falls are an impressive 26m (85ft) high, and there are two viewpoints for you to choose from. You can hike to the top viewpoint that overlooks the falls, or head to its base...
If you’re looking for the best views of Whangārei, then you need to hike up Mt. Mania. Mt. Mania’s summit is 420m above sea level, and the walk to the top takes about 2 hours. On the way up you will walk through kauri forest, and come across several outcrops that offer stunning views of Bream Head and the Hen and Chicken Islands. Although the hike ...
The Whangārei Quarry Gardensare the perfect place for an afternoon stroll, or to take a picnic. Although incredibly beautiful, the story behind these gardens is the most special part about this place. Originally the quarry was disused and became a bit of a dumping ground before the community rallied together and made a change. Now, for over 25 year...
If you’re looking for an adventure, then walking through Abbey Caves is one of the top things to do in Whangārei. The loop trail takes you through three caves; Organ Cave, Middle Cave and Ivy Cave. The walk itself isn’t strenuous but expect to do a bit of scrambling to enter each cave as there are no designated paths. As you head into the dark, you...
The Poor Knights Islands are one of the top diving locationsnot only in New Zealand, but in the world as well. If you’re skilled when it comes to snorkelling or diving, you don’t want to miss out on this place. However, many of the tours cater for other activities such as kayaking if you don’t fancy heading underneath the waves. There are plenty of...
Kayaking is one of the best ways to explore the many bays around Whangārei. There are plenty of companies that offer kayaking tours in the area, and if you’re lucky you might even get to spot some wildlife. Some of the most popular launch spots near Whangārei Harbour include the Town Basin, Onerahi, Waikaraka, McLeod Bay, and Urquharts Bay. Some co...
If you’re looking for a nature escape, then heading to A.H. Reed Memorial Kauri Park is a must. The park is a remnant of the beautiful kauri trees that used to cover large areas across Northland. Incredibly, here you can still walk underneath the kauri trees, and some are 500 years old. Whilst you’re there, make sure to walk the canopy walkway to g...
Now, this is definitely one of the wackiest things to do in Whangārei. Extreme Mini Golfis an 18 hole glow in the dark mini-golf course and it’s great fun for the whole family. There are 6 awesome themed areas including Monster Industrial, Croods Cave, a circus area, and an alien space area. With so many quirky sections everyone is bound to be ente...
Visiting the Claphams National Clock Museumis one of the more unique things to do in Whangārei. This museum is famous across the world and is home to one of the largest and most historically significant collections of timepieces in the southern hemisphere. In fact, there are over 2,000 clocks at the Claphams National Clock Museum! The collection wa...
- Check out Whangarei Falls and the AH Reed Kauri Park. Linked by a gorgeous riverside walkway, Whangarei Falls and AH Reed Kauri Park are two natural attractions in Whangarei you can’t miss!
- Walk the Hatea Loop Walkway. Starting in the picturesque city centre of the Town Basin, the Hatea Loop Walkway highlights the best of Whangarei city in a 4.2 km (3.6 mi) walk/cycle trail.
- Visit the Whangarei Quarry Gardens. This disused quarry-turned-subtropical garden paradise is an example that anything is possible! The Whangarei Quarry Gardens, a free attraction just outside of the city, benefits from the subtropical climate that is perfect for weird and wonderful exotic flora to thrive.
- See the Birds at the Whangarei Native Bird Recovery Centre. The Whangarei Native Bird Recovery Centre is like an animal hospital for native birds that have been found injured in the local area.
- Hike at the Bream Head Scenic Reserve. There are so many amazing hikes on the North Island, and one of my favorites is the Bream Head Scenic Reserve. The Bream Head Scenic Reserve is a series of coastal forests full of native wildlife.
- Visit Whangarei Falls. New Zealand has many beautiful waterfalls, and one of my favorites is the stunning Otuihau Whangarei Falls. It’s the picturesque waterfall you imagine, with tall falls dropping into a big, bright blue pool below.
- Surf! Whangarei isn’t called the “city of 100 beaches” for nothing! With many beautiful white sand beaches, bays, and coves, Whangarei is a paradise for surfing enthusiasts visiting New Zealand.
- Visit Waipu Caves (see glow worms!) When visiting New Zealand, glow worm caves should absolutely be on your bucket list. And of all the places to see glow worms, I enjoyed Waipu Caves the most!
Whangarei is known for being the northernmost city in New Zealand, particularly famous for its large picturesque waterfall and abundance of beaches. Where is Whangarei located? In the Northland region of the North Island , approximately 2 hrs 15 mins north of Auckland and 1 hour south of Paihia .
People also ask
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Is Whangarei a 'city of 100 beaches'?
Jun 30, 2020 · Whangarei is the largest city in Northland, but with a population of around 60,000, it's a relaxed place. The subtropical climate means there's a wealth of beautiful outdoor attractions both within the city and just outside: think white-sand beaches, lush forests, mountains, water sports...