Visit Whangārei
Nau Mai, Haere Mai ki Whangārei Terenga Parāoa
Hi and welcome to Whangārei
Tō Mātou Tāngata - Our People
We love that you are visiting our place and welcome you with open arms and hearts. We offer manaakitanga, hospitality and care, so that your visit with us will be an experience of a lifetime. We are passionate about rugby, with the game woven into our lives and our stories and we look forward to hosting you for the Rugby World Cup in 2021.
Tō Mātou Whenua - Our Land
Our subtropical district, city and facilities, our landscapes, our beaches and rivers, our forests and mountains are all part of what makes our place so special.
Located at just over two hour’s drive north of Auckland, Whangārei city is nestled between forest-clad hills at the heart of the Whangārei Harbour. Nowhere in the district is more than 40 kilometres from the spectacular coastline; explore the outstanding Tutukākā Coast, Whangārei Heads peninsula, Bream Bay, Ruakākā and Waipū.
Our attractive city is compact and mostly flat, with everything in the central shopping precinct within walking distance. Superb street art and murals, buskers and frequent events add vibrancy to the city. The stadium, accommodation, transport and services are all close by.
The Town Basin, a picturesque yachting marina, is a lovely destination with restaurants, cafés, shopping, craft and art galleries, museums, the Sculpture and Heritage Trails, walking tracks and frequent events.
While you are here, we invite you to learn about and enjoy the stories and legends of Whangārei Terenga Paraoa – the Meeting Place of the Whales, with a Māori cultural tour and guide.
Our coastal and rural areas offer superb activities. Explore walks and hikes on trails, just a few minutes from the city centre, through native forest with towering, mature kauri trees, and along coastal tracks with superb views.
Wander along a beach and let the waves wash over your feet, take a stroll through a colourful, subtropical garden or discover wonderful waterfalls. Enjoy the antics of Aotearoa / New Zealand’s iconic bird, the kiwi at Northland’s only Kiwi House.
Cruise to the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve, an island wonderland and dive into the deep blue of this superb marine and nature reserve, considered one of the top ten dive sites in the world.
We look forward to meeting you at our place soon.
