What to do in Whangarei

Activities, attractions and tours

Town Basin Marina which includes a bay or harbour
Town Basin Marina
Town Basin Marina which includes a bay or harbour
Botanica & Cafler Park showing forests
Whangarei Falls which includes a river or creek and a cascade

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Top places to visit

1. Town Basin Marina

If you love the water and art browsing, make a beeline for the Town Basin Marina when you arrive in Whangarei. Browse the shops, restaurants, cafés and docks of the Whangarei Marina, watch boats come and go, then follow the Town Basin Art Trail along the waterfront to be immersed in creativity and culture.
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Whangarei which includes a bay or harbour, a marina and sailing

2. Whangarei Quarry Gardens

Whangarei Quarry Gardens are a community-run project that feature landscaped gardens, a visitor centre and a café. Explore the many gardens that include a collection of camellias and an area with cacti and succulents. Whangarei Quarry Gardens is home to a regenerating forest that is teeming with indigenous plants.
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Whangarei Quarry Gardens showing a garden

3. Claphams National Clock Museum

See an enormous collection of historic, artistic and antique clocks at Claphams National Clock Museum in Whangarei. The museum’s collection includes approximately 1,500 clocks that range from Victorian cuckoos to small children’s clocks. Timepieces built by famous clockmakers, including London’s Edward John Dent, also feature in the museum’s displays.
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Take a guided tour of this unique museum to see one of the largest collections of clocks in the Southern Hemisphere.

4. Botanica & Cafler Park

Visit two of Whangarei’s best green spaces. First, enjoy the landscaped beauty of Cafler Park, then learn about ferns, cacti and other plant species in the green houses and gardens of nearby Botanica Whangarei.
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Botanica & Cafler Park which includes interior views and a park

5. Reyburn House

The Northland Society of Arts (NSA) has been the proud custodian of Reyburn House since 1966. Visit this heritage house in Whangarei’s Town Basin to see an art collection and to enjoy the location of this precious reminder of days gone by. The kids will love the adjacent Town Basin playground.
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Whangarei featuring heritage architecture, a park and a house

What to do in Whangarei

Popular places to visit

Whangarei which includes a bay or harbour, a marina and sailing

Town Basin Marina

Stroll through this picturesque yachting marina and along its pedestrianized river inlet, a place where seafaring, heritage, arts and culture come together.

Town Basin Marina
Whangarei Quarry Gardens showing a garden

Whangarei Quarry Gardens

Enjoy the fruits of this remarkable community garden project as you explore areas planted with species of indigenous and subtropical plants.

Whangarei Quarry Gardens
Claphams National Clock Museum

Claphams National Clock Museum

Take a guided tour of this unique museum to see one of the largest collections of clocks in the Southern Hemisphere.

Claphams National Clock Museum
Botanica & Cafler Park which includes interior views and a park

Botanica & Cafler Park

See one of New Zealand’s largest collections of native ferns in a tranquil garden complex and explore the adjoining park for a relaxing time.

Botanica & Cafler Park
Whangarei featuring heritage architecture, a park and a house

Reyburn House

Visit Whangarei's oldest settlers house at its scenic riverside location in the Town Basin, to browse one of New Zealand’s delightful art galleries.

Reyburn House

Whangarei Art Museum

You can spend time browsing the exhibits at Whangarei Art Museum during your trip to Whangarei. While in the area, you can find time to visit its spas.

Whangarei Art Museum

Northland Event Centre

Catch an event at Northland Event Centre during your trip to Whangarei. While in the area, you can find time to visit its spas.

Northland Event Centre

Hundertwasser Art Centre

You can spend an afternoon browsing the exhibits at Hundertwasser Art Centre during your trip to Whangarei.

Hundertwasser Art Centre

Quarry Arts Centre

You can spend time exploring the galleries in Quarry Arts Centre during your trip to Whangarei. While in the area, you can find time to visit its spas.

Quarry Arts Centre

Explore areas of Whangarei

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One Tree Point

Though One Tree Point may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Mcleod Bay and Mount Manaia.

One Tree Point
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Onerahi

4/5(1 area review)

While Onerahi may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Whangarei Art Museum and Town Basin Marina.

Onerahi
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Marsden Point

While Marsden Point may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Mcleod Bay and Mount Manaia.

Marsden Point
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Parahaki

If you're spending some time in Parahaki, Mair Park and Camera Obscura Timatatanga Hou are top sights worth seeing.

Parahaki
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Kamo

While Kamo isn't home to many top sights, Whangarei Quarry Gardens and Whangarei Falls are some notable places to visit nearby.

Kamo
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Mata

Plan a visit to nearby attractions like Refining NZ Visitors Centre while you're exploring Mata and the larger area.

Mata