Attractions

Northland’s Creative Hub for Community and the Arts

Celebrating Northland’s talent through pottery, art exhibitions and events. See their website for more information about upcoming classes, exhibitions and events.

Botanica Whangārei is a horticultural complex where the public can come and enjoy a wide range of plants.

In the complex, you can enjoy the colourful and exotic palms, orchids, bizarre cacti and succulents, fragrant subtropical plants, native ferns and filmy ferns.

Admission is free, and the complex is accessible for wheelchairs.

Set in one of Whangarei, Northland’s, most peaceful park-like locations, Barge Showgrounds Events Centre is a multi-use facility with a three-metre wide deck on three sides. 

It is an ideal indoor-outdoor environment for weddings and corporate meetings or training days.

You will find Northland's only Kiwi House here at Kiwi North. This Whangarei attraction is set on 25 hectares of rolling farmland, forest & bush, with views that overlook the city  & the Whangarei Heads the site features a museum, a nocturnal kiwi house and gift store, and unique Victorian heritage buildings.

The Wairau Māori Art Gallery is the first dedicated public Māori art gallery in Aotearoa. Wairau Māori Art Gallery shares real stories from living communities and reflect Māori today, both in Aotearoa and on the world stage. View their website for more details on their upcoming exhibitions. 

Step into a world where time gets whimsical. Claphams National Clock Museum and Gift Shop in Whangārei's Town Basin is home to one of the largest clock collections in the Southern Hemisphere, from ancient sundials to singing birds, dancing ballerinas and even a clock that makes you a cuppa.

Just down the road, the Whangārei Art Museum in Town Basin is well worth a visit too, with free entry and a changing lineup of exhibitions celebrating art and culture from across Aotearoa.

See their website for more info on their upcoming shows.

Otuihau Whangārei Falls is a picturesque 26.3 metre-high waterfall, cascading over basalt cliffs. 

Enjoy a relatively short circular walk or, for a longer walk, start from the A H Reed Memorial Park or Hātea River Walkway.

Mair Park was part of the estate of Robert Mair, which he donated to the city in 1914. Follow the old coach road through mature lowland forest to the Hātea River and a large flat area of grass.

Feeding the ducks and fishing for sprats on the riverbank has been a popular activity for generations of local children.

A bridge leads across the river to Parihaka Scenic Reserve  and the Hātea River walkway.

With over 7 different pools, Whangārei Aquatic Centre has something for everyone. A 25-metre lane pool, learn to swim pool, toddlers pool, leisure pool and spa! We even have a purpose built hydrotherapy pool! 

In summer take it outdoors and enjoy our purpose built dive well! 

Whangārei might just be one of New Zealand's best kept golfing secrets, with four cracking courses all within easy reach of town. Sherwood Park Golf Club, just 7km out, offers a flat but challenging layout tucked among native trees and stone walls, with free draining volcanic soil that plays well year round. Head out towards the coast and you'll find The Pines at Whangārei Heads, a stunning and social course right on the shores of Parua Bay with Mount Manaia as your backdrop. Whangārei Golf Club has been bringing locals and visitors together since 1907, with a classic course plus their unique F.O.R.E indoor golf simulator for when the weather doesn't play ball. And just north at Kamo, Northland Golf Club is a picturesque par 71 set among native bush and birdlife, with a driving range, practice areas and Hole in One Café to refuel after your round.