Fernweh: Home
    ExploreTravel GuidesPlan a tripMy tripLast visited
    de|en
    All Places & RegionsAll highlightsAbout FernwehFAQPrivacy PolicyImprint
    ExploreTravel GuidesPlan a tripMy tripLast visited
    • Neighborhoods & highlights
    • Eat & drink
    • Culture
    • Nightlife
    • Getting around
    • Accommodation
    • Plan trip
    • Nearby
    Whangarei

    New Zealand

    Whangarei

    City

    Whangārei, Northland's only city, sits on a long natural harbour, about two hours' drive north of Auckland.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. New Zealand
    7. Northland
    9. Whangarei
    Whangārei, Northland's only city, sits on a long natural harbour, about two hours' drive north of Auckland. The Town Basin is lined with cafés, galleries, and the Hundertwasser Art Centre; nearby, waterfalls, caves, and the beaches of Whangarei Heads beckon.

    Sights in Whangarei

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Claphams Clocks
    Museum

    1Claphams Clocks

    Clock Museum at Town Basin with a large collection of historical clocks, from grandfather clocks to curiosities.
    Open in Google Maps
    Whangārei Falls
    Park

    2Whangārei Falls

    About 26-meter waterfall on the Hātea River, just north of the center. A short loop trail offers viewpoints above and below the basin.
    Open in Google Maps
    Abbey Caves
    Attraction

    3Abbey Caves

    Three unlit limestone caves just outside the city with fireflies. You go in at your own risk, so bring a headlamp, sturdy footwear, and clothes that can get wet.
    Open in Google Maps
    Kiwi North
    Museum

    4Kiwi North

    Museum with Kiwi House and Heritage Park on the city's western edge. See kiwis in a darkened enclosure, plus historical settler-era buildings.
    Open in Google Maps

    Essen & Trinken

    1

    Fat Camel Cafe

    Café on Quality Street in the center, open during the day.
    Show on Google Maps
    2

    Turmeric Indian Restaurant

    Central Indian restaurant, also offers takeout.
    Show on Google Maps
    3

    Pimarn Thai Restaurant

    Thai restaurant on Rathbone Street in the centre.
    Show on Google Maps
    4

    The Quay

    Restaurant at the Town Basin, overlooking the marina.
    Show on Google Maps
    5

    Frings Brauhaus

    Small brewery with a bar and restaurant on Lower Dent Street, own beers on tap.
    Show on Google Maps

    Culture

    Around the Town Basin, a small art scene has developed, with galleries, studios, and the Hundertwasser Art Centre, including the Wairau Māori Art Gallery. A large part of Northland's population is Māori; the region is considered the cradle of modern New Zealand.

    Nightlife

    1

    Loco

    Bar at the Town Basin with a terrace on the water.
    Show on Google Maps

    Exploring locally

    InterCity buses connect Whangārei with Auckland and the Bay of Islands. CityLink buses operate within the city, but a car is most practical for exploring the surrounding area.

    Accommodations in Whangarei

    Find perfect stay in Whangarei

    Booking.com* (Affiliate link)
    Search Hotels
    Agoda* (Affiliate link)
    Search Hotels
    Airbnb
    Vacation Rentals

    * Affiliate link: if you book through it, we earn a small commission. The price stays the same for you.

    Plan your trip to Whangarei

    Save places, build a route and plan your city trip, all in one place.

    1. 1
      Sunrise over alpine peaks and a sea of clouds
      1234

      Round trip

      12 days · 4 stops

      Saved

      Pick a route

      Pick a ready-made one or save places and plan your own.

      Open bookmarks
    2. 2

      Trip to Whangarei

      Live
      • 1Claphams Clocks3 days
      • 2Whangārei Falls4 days
      • 3Abbey Caves5 days
      Budget

      Plan your trip

      The planner sorts stops, days and budget. Plan together in real time.

      Start trip planning
    3. 3
      9:41 No signal
      Whangarei
      Available offline

      Use it on the road

      Download the guide to your phone and use it on site, even offline.

    Nearby

    Northland

    Northland

    Northland stretches from Auckland to Cape Reinga at the northern tip. The east coast is rugged and full of bays, especially the Bay of Islands, while the west coast is wild with long beaches, dunes, and ancient Kauri forests. The Treaty of Waitangi was signed here in 1840.
    Paihia

    Paihia

    Paihia is the main tourist hub of the Bay of Islands, a small town on a long waterfront road featuring beaches, motels, and restaurants. From the Wharf, boat tours, dolphin trips, and the ferry to Russell set off. The Waitangi Treaty Grounds are reachable on foot via the bridge to the north.
    Russell

    Russell

    Russell, in Māori Korōrāreka, was a wild port for whalers and merchant ships in the 1830s. Today, it is a tranquil spot with wooden houses, a waterfront promenade, and some of New Zealand's oldest buildings. Incidentally, the colony's first capital wasn't here, but in nearby Okiato, now known as Old Russell.
    Bay of Islands

    Bay of Islands

    The Bay of Islands is a sprawling bay on the east coast of Northland with around 140 islands. Paihia is the departure point for boat tours; historic Russell lies opposite, and the Waitangi Treaty Grounds are right next door.
    Waitangi

    Waitangi

    Waitangi lies just north of Paihia, across a small bridge. Representatives of the British Crown and Māori chiefs signed the Treaty of Waitangi here in 1840. The Treaty Grounds with museums, a meeting house and war canoe, are Northland's primary historical site.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Pexels, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI