Why We Love Whangarei

"The North" as it is known is not just our workplace, it's our home, and for many of us it's where we decided to stay after visiting a few times, for others, they have been lucky enough to be born here.

With the welcoming attitude of a country town, but the spirit and potential of the City that it has become, Whangarei and surrounds is very much "people orientated" and has so much to offer visitors and residents alike.

Drive to Cape Reinga, take a boat trip to the Poor Knights, have lunch at the Town Basin while watching the yachts or a picnic on some of the country's best beaches all within easy travelling from Whangarei City and you'll start to see some of the reasons we love it here.

Mt Manaia is located on the Eastern side of Whangarei.  Overlooking the Whangarei Harbour Mt Manaia is one of the most dramatic features of the landscape and can be spotted from quite a distance.

The walk through mature bush to the summit will take about one and a half hours and is not for the faint hearted, but the views are spectacular.

Whangarei Falls is just over 26 metres high and falls over steep basalt cliffs. The local iwi call the area Otuihau.  Mr Archibald Clapham brought the property in the late 1920s to prevent the falls being developed as a commercial water mill. It is a popular picnic spot and has peaceful walks through the bush.

Whangarei Town Basin

The Town Basin is a popular place for locals and tourists. The view alters daily as the tide moves through its cycle. Fishing boats, small pleasure craft, yachts and launches use the area creating an ever-changing vista. The Town Basin lends itself perfectly to a family outing with a variety of things to see and do. There are a variety of shops along the waterfront including cafes, art galleries and restaurants.  A boardwalk along the water front connects several Town Basin features including a children's playground and the Reyburn House Art Gallery with its delightful gardens and special memorial area created by the Child Cancer Foundation.

Poor Knights Islands

The Poor Knights Islands were established as New Zealand's second marine reserve in 1981.  The marine reserve extends for 800m offshore around the Poor Knights Islands.

The Poor Knights can be reached from Tutukaka Harbour which is approx 30 kilometres from Whangarei.  There are a number of charter boats that operate in the area.

Although landing on the islands is prohibited, the marine reserve is able to be enjoyed through diving, snorkeling or kayaking through the caves and arches.

For more information click on the following: http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/marine-and-coastal/marine-protected-areas/marine-reserves-a-z/poor-knights-islands/

Diving at Poor Knights

Cape Reinga

Cape Reinga, known by the Maori as "the place of the leaping", who believe the spirits of the departed leap from an 800-year-old pohutukawa tree on the cape to return to their ancestral homeland of Hawaiki.

Located at the top of the North Island it is an hours car trip from Kaitaia.

Sites of interest include scenic reserves, archeological sites and the Cape Reinga lighthouse.

Follow the link to get further information about Cape Reinga as well as some great photography.

http://www.aatravel.co.nz/101/101-details.php?section=Regional101&101Id=Cape-Reinga--The-End-of-the-Road

Sunset over Ngunguru Beach

Ngunguru 'the place of whispering waters' is approximately 25 kilometres from the centre of Whangarei.  A great place to have a swim, walk along the beach or just relax.

Bay of Islands

The beautiful Bay of Islands is just an hours drive from Whangarei and has a multitude of sights and activities.  Visit, Paihia, Waitangi, Kerikeri or take a trip over to Russell.

Experience the Hole in the Rock from the water: a sightseeing cruise by high-speed catamaran across the waves.

Visit the Whangarei Museum & Kiwi House Heritage Park

Located on State Highway 14 and only a short drive from the CBD you can visit the Whangarei Museum and Kiwi House.  The nocturnal Kiwi House has live kiwi, morepork and native gecko. The museum with Maori taonga (treasure) and early settler collections, includes the Clarke Homestead built in 1886.  Other heritage buildings on site include the first Women's Jail, Jane Mander's Study, Oruaiti Chapel (made from a single Kauri log and believed to be New Zealand's smallest church) and Riponui Pah School House.

The 25 hectare park is an ideal picnic area in the fine weather and provides bush walks, tree trail, water fall and enjoys 360 degree views of Whangarei. http://www.whangareimuseum.co.nz/

Visit one of Northlands new outdoor experiences

Located off Ngunguru Road on the way to the beautiful Tutukaka Coast is the Glenbervie Adventure Forest.  Share an adventure with family and friends in one of the most exciting forests in Northland. Amazing circuits rigged from tree to tree are designed for all ages and once the qualified safety instructors have you geared up and have shown you the ropes, you are set to go and experience the fun filled action! 

 

 For more information click below

Glenbervie Adventure Forest