Whangarei Holiday Activities

Centrally located, a popular haven for international yachts, with an award-winning waterfront development. Incorporates a renewed Claphams Clock collection, art galleries, shops, cafes and restaurants. All with landscaped foreground, and a tranquil harbour setting.

Whangarei Falls is known as the most photogenic waterfall in New Zealand, dropping 25 metres into a beautiful bush-fringed pool. Located centrally at Tikipunga, 5km north east of the city.

Claphams Clocks is the largest collection of its kind in the southern hemisphere with more than 1500 timepieces. Located in the new Town Basin development.

The district has abundant native forest and a great variety of marked trails to suit any age or fitness ability. The temperate climate and volcanic soils provide a haven for keen gardeners and are typified by the city's many parks and gardens. Abbey Caves are just a few minutes from the city centre, and offer an opportunity to discover extensive unspoiled limestone caves – tours available.

Excellent boat launching facilities available throughout the district, and good shore fishing. Big game fishing is exceptional in season (December to April) with record catches off the Tutukaka Coast.

Mount Parahaki towers 242 metres above the city and offers a superb panoramic view of the city and harbour. The summit can be reached by road, or by walkway from Mair Park. The top is crowned with a war memorial and a large red cross, which glows in the dark.

Set in a bush clad quarry site, this co-operative of crafts people in adobe buildings creates a unique atmosphere and environment for their activities.

The central shopping area is centred around The Strand, Quality Street, and the newly renovated Cameron Street Mall, a popular meeting place with seating, trees and attractive plants, buskers, space and sunshine, giving its own distinctive atmosphere. Specialist boutiques to nationwide department stores all feature.

There are beautiful beaches within a 30-minute drive of the city – sparkling white sands of the Bream Bay and Tutukaka coastlines, or the tranquil beauty of Whangarei's deepwater harbour.

The Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve is renowned as one of the world's top dive locations, offering spectacular water clarity and variety of sea-life. Further recreational diving is available on the artificial reef created off Tutukaka by the sunken frigates Tui and Waikato. Also great coastal and harbour diving in the district.

Unique setting where "the surf meets the turf". Race meetings held regularly and always very popular.

Whangarei has a selection of outstanding courses. Whangarei (Mt Denby) is centrally located; the Northland Golf Club and Sherwood Park are both set amid fertile farmlands and rambling stonewalls. The Pines Golf Club with its magnificant views nestles on the harbour-side.

Cultural and performing arts centre for Northland, includes the Capitaine Bouganville theatre, the Exhibition Centre, and meeting rooms, and the venue for the district's many shows, theatre, concerts and exhibitions.

Reyburn House and the Whangarei Art Museum are open daily and feature ever-changing exhibitions of local and visiting artists.

Whangarei offers an excellent selection of restaurants and cafés to suit all tastes and budgets, as well as all the main chain restaurants and fast food outlets. There is a good selection of night entertainment with bars and nightclubs to suit varying tastes in atmosphere and music.

WAODS (Whangarei Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society) Riverbank Theatre and the Repertory Society's Octagon Theatre both offer regular top class live shows. Dinner is an optional extra.

There are many other activities to do in the Whangarei region including: Horse trekking, caving, sea kayaking, dolphin and whale watch, scenic flights, adventure treks, and more.