2021 Whangarei Visitor Guide
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2021 VISITOR GUIDE CENTRAL WHANGĀREI TOWN BASIN TUTUKĀKĀ COAST WHANGĀREI HEADS BREAM BAY WhangareiNZ.com Whangārei Visitor Guide Cape Reinga CONTENTS EXPLOREEXPLORE 3 District Highlights 4 Culture WHANGĀREI DISTRICT 6 Cultural Attractions NINETY MILE 7 Kids Stuff BEACH 1f Take the scenic route 8 Walks Follow the Twin Coast Discovery 13 Markets signs and discover the best of 14 Beaches both the East and West Coasts. 16 Art 18 Town Basin Sculpture Trail New Zealand 20 Waterfalls Kaitaia 22 Gardens Bay of 10 Islands 23 Cycling Kerikeri 24 Events 1 36 Street Prints Manaia Art Trail H OK H IA AR NG CENTRAL BO A Climate UR Kaikohe Poor Knights 12 Islands WHANGĀREI Whangārei district is part of 1 Northland, New Zealand’s warmest CENTRAL 26 Central Whangārei Map WHANGĀREI Waipoua WHANGĀREI and only subtropical region, with 12 30 Whangārei City Centre Map Kauri TUTUKĀKĀ an average of 2000 sunshine hours Forest COAST 31 See & Do every year. The hottest months are 28 Listings January and February and winters are mild WHANGĀREI WHANGĀREI 34 Eat & Drink – there’s no snow here! 14 HEADS Average temperatures Dargaville BREAM BAY BREAM Hen & Chicken Spring: (Sep-Nov) 17°C high, 10°C low BAY Islands 12 Waipū 40 Bream Bay Map Summer: (Dec-Feb) 24°C high, 14°C low 1 42 See & Do Autumn: (Mar-May) 21°C high, 11°C low 12 Winter: (Jun-Aug) 16°C high, 07°C low 42 Listings 1 Travel distances to Whangārei WHANGĀREI HEADS • 160km north of Auckland – 2 hours drive or 30 minute flight 46 Whangārei Heads Map • 68km south of the Bay of Islands – 1 hour drive 47 See & Do UR K RBO Auckland • 265km south of Cape Reinga – 4 hours drive AIPARA HA 49 Listings TUTUKĀKĀ COAST This official visitor guide to the Whangārei district is owned by Whangarei 50 Tutukākā Coast Map District Council and produced in partnership with Big Fish Creative. 53 See & Do Printed on 100% recycled paper with eco-friendly inks. 55 Listings Cover photo: Moureeses Bay, Whananaki. Photo by Doug Pearson. 2 WhangareiNZ.com Whangārei Visitor Guide NAUNAU MAI,MAI, HAEREHAERE MAIMAI KIKI WHANGĀREIWHANGĀREI TERENGATERENGA PARĀOAPARĀOA Hātea River Walk HI AND WELCOME TO WHANGĀREI WHANGĀREI TERENGA Whangārei city is nestled between forest-clad hills at the heart of the PARĀOA beautiful Whangārei Harbour and nowhere in the district is more than Whangārei was a well established and thriving Māori 40 kilometres from the spectacular coastline. settlement by the time Captain Cook arrived in Explore the outstanding Tutukākā Coast, Whangārei Heads Peninsula, 1769. Many prominent hill and land features around Bream Bay, Ruakākā and Waipū. Offshore lie the Poor Knights Islands, the harbour and river valleys show signs of being part where the pristine waters in this marine reserve provide world class of a pā (fortified village), garden or food storage pit. diving and water-based activities. Whangārei Harbour was a waypoint for Māori Enjoy the city, which is compact and mostly tribes from the north travelling south by waka flat and everywhere within the CBD is (canoe). Early missionary records show as many within walking distance. The retail as 3000 Māori would camp on the shores of this heart of the city has an attractive Whangārei bountiful harbour. pedestrian mall while the Town Basin, Need a little help Parāoa is the Māori name for the sperm whale, which a picturesque yachting marina, adds an pronouncing Whangārei? was highly regarded by Māori. Symbolically the This is how you say it: international flavour with restaurants, “Far-ngar-ray” with Parāoa represented persons of chiefly status. Legend cafés, shopping, craft and art galleries, the “ng” as in ‘sing’. has it that great assemblies of these whales, that museums, the Sculpture and Heritage Easy eh! gathered to feed there during summer, inspired the Trails, walking tracks and frequent events. harbour’s true name – Whangārei Terenga Parāoa, meaning ‘the swimming place of the whales’. 1 Whangārei Visitor Guide LOVELOVE OUROUR DISTRICTDISTRICT Discover, escape, explore and enjoy all the great things to see and do in the subtropical Whangārei district. Otuihau – Whangārei Falls 2 WhangareiNZ.com Whangārei Visitor Guide HIGHLIGHTS Town Basin & Hātea Loop – Huarahi o te Whai Fishing & Golf This picturesque city marina is a haven for local and international yachties. Cast your line from a charter boat, from one of the jetties dotted around Enjoy craft and art galleries, cafés and restaurants, shopping and a popular the harbour and coast, or enjoy surf-casting or rock fishing from one of the children’s playground. Stroll, stride or bike the waterside 4.2km Hātea many beautiful beaches. Launch your own boat from ramps throughout Loop – Huarahi o te Whai Walkway. More on page 31 the district. Whangārei offers nine golf courses in beautiful rural or seaside locations. Walks & Hikes Poor Knights Islands Walk and hike all year round in sub-tropical Whangārei. Challenge yourself These world-renowned islands are a breathtaking marine and nature with an all day hike that follows an ancient Māori trail or meander slowly reserve and are a scuba and snorkelling paradise. If you’re not a diver, along an easy pathway through native forest. Discover beautiful waterfalls, enjoy kayaking, snorkelling, paddleboarding or simply relax on board a streams and rivers, white sandy beaches and coastal panoramas that will comfortable cruise boat. More on page 53 take your breath away. More on page 8 Beaches & Water Activities Whangārei district has many superb beaches. Choose from secluded coves or long, sweeping white sand beaches; surf, swim, dive, snorkel, fish, kayak, paddleboard or just kick back and relax. More on page 14 Waterfalls Discover six stunning waterfalls including Otuihau – Whangārei Falls, a picturesque 26m high waterfall, with picnic spots and native forest. Aquatic Adventures More on page 20 VISIT, EXPLORE, SCUBA, SNORKEL Markets Savour New Zealand’s first growers market and the many other wonderful craft, art, community, food and antique markets – all with treasures to discover. More on page 13 Poor Knights Marine Reserve and Bream Bay Area Art & Craft Discover the Sculpture Trail, the Street Art Trail, murals, galleries and exhibitions showcasing unique works of art and craft in all mediums by local and international artists. More on page 16 DIVE & SNORKEL Museums With Whangārei’s fascinating history and heritage told through unique TutukakaYUKON & Marsden DIVE Cove collections that include Māori taonga (treasures), vintage vehicles and fascinating clocks. Yukon Dive & Snorkel – Tutukaka and Marsden Cove, Northland yukon.co.nz | [email protected] | +64 (021) 2611779 3 Whangārei Visitor Guide LOVELOVE OUROUR CULTURECULTURE Tangata Whenua – People of the Land. Māori make up nearly one third of the population of Whangārei so you can expect to meet us wherever you go. We share many of the things and places we love and hold in high regard. Gathering seafood at Pātaua South 4 WhangareiNZ.com Whangārei Visitor Guide CULTURE Tangata whenua, or the indigenous people, of New Zealand are strongly connected to the environment. Before Pākehā or Europeans Whangārei i-SITE arrived, Māori dominated Aotearoa, land of the long white cloud. Visitor Centre Tarewa Park, Tangata whenua are the kaitiaki (protectors) of all living forces like the Whangārei 92 Otaika Road land, forests and waterways. We pride ourselves on manaakitanga or 09 438 1079 welcoming and caring for our visitors, so hope that you may be better Information Centres [email protected] informed and enriched by New Zealand's rich history and beautiful TTALKALK TTOO Māori culture. Today, Māori make up nearly one third of the population of Whangārei THE EXPERTS Te Manawa The Hub so you can expect to meet us wherever you go. From our creative Māori and discover why we love it here! Information Centre artists to our innovative and entrepreneurial business people, we are Town Basin, Dent Street what make Whangārei special and unique. Local or visitor, our friendly team make it easy! 09 430 1188 We’ll help you plan your visit, not only in [email protected] Through the Māori Cultural Guide, we share many of the things and Whangārei but anywhere in New Zealand! places we love and hold in high regard. Most of these have been We off er a free booking service for accommodation provided to us by Papatūānuku, our earth mother. We are the kaitiaki and activities with free maps and brochures, as well of all living forces like the land, forests and waterways. The Whangārei as a great range of giftware and souvenirs. Event tickets are also available at Te Manawa The Hub. Cultural Guide tells the unique stories and legends of Whangārei Both centres are open 7 days (closed Christmas Day). Terenga Parāoa. Call into Te Manawa The Hub at the Town Basin Come and see us, we’d love to see you! WhangareiNZ.com or the Whangārei i-SITE to collect your copy, or download it from WhangareiNZ.com/kiaora. Haere mai ngā manuhiri Haere mai e, tūārangi e Mauria mai o koutou aroha i Te keupapa nei Tēnā koutou Tēnā koutou Tēnā koutou katoa Hātea River, downstream from Otuihau – Whangārei Falls 5 Whangārei Visitor Guide CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS Mt Parihaka Parihaka was sculpted by early Māori inhabitants into a pā or great fortress, reputedly the largest in all New Zealand. Battles were fought and after the people of the pā were overwhelmed by attacking forces in the battle of Ōparakau in 1827, a large section of the mountain was declared tapu (sacred). A special carved kohatu (rock) at the lookout summit represents the mauri (life essence) of the mountain. Walking tracks lead you through native flora and fauna where native medicinal plants are still collected and from the summit you can see The Library Pou other important landmarks and maunga (mountains).