Whangarei Travel Guide > Traveling | Attractions | Accommodation | Shopping | Restaurants

Introduction: When you decide to spend this vacation in a warm place in New Zealand, there is no second option than Whangarei. The city with a sub tropical climate and enough rainfall provides house for many tourist destinations. With 2000 hour sunshine a year, Whangarei maintains beauty through lush green surroundings and superb beaches with a wonderful and romantic countryside. The city could of course give you a different feel in New Zealand.

How to get there

Whangarei is situated at the western end of a large harbor. It is an easy reach from Auckland in flight. This journey will not take more than one hour. You could reach in 2.5 hours from Kerikeri in bus car or a coach.

What to See and Do

You will never run out of what to see and do in Whangarei. Great food and fine art are abundant in the city along with stunning natural attractions. The Whangarei falls and the canopy walk among the giant kauri trees will make you enjoy nature to its full beauty. Along with natural attractions, modern and stylish dishes are also presented for the tourists to see and do in Whangarei.
The town basin Marina will offer you a haven for local as well as international yachts. There are arty galleries, craft shops and specialty shops, where tourists could have much fun. The renowned clock museum and the children's playground offer immense chances of fun in Whangarei.
The Whangarei falls is the most photographed fall of New Zealand and the ease of access and the picturesque beauty of the fall will be a wonderful tourist spot throughout the year. The AH reed kauri park with a waterfall, walking tracks and tree top boardwalk will be a different experience for tourists.
A lookout from the Mount Parihaka lookout will be one of the sweetest memories you will love to cherish even after you leave Whangarei. The lookout with the beautiful city below and the harbor with the countryside shaped by lava flows are one of the most beautiful natural sceneries you could not see anywhere else in the world.

Outdoor Activities

Whangarei offers various outdoor activities to keep you cheerful and relaxed in the evenings. The main adventures include bungee jumping and caving. There are outdoor activities including golfing, hiking, horse treks etc. Whangarei is a best tourist destination to go on skiing or mountaineering and hunting. Age limits will not restrict you when you are in the out skirts of Whangarei. Water activities including cruises and luxury yachts will be a completely unique and mind blowing experience during your stay in Whangarei. The dolphin swimming and marine encounters are some of the highlighted outdoor activities of Whangarei. Glacier flights, snow landings and volcanic flights are unseen attractions for all categories of tourists in the sky limits of Whangarei.

Attractions

Whangarei has various tourist attractions which make the city a must to see place in your holiday trip. The Whangarei museum and heritage park features the artifacts of ancient European history. The living national icon of Whangarei is opened on all days to the visitors in the Kiwi house of the park. Injured and threatened birds from all parts of the world are housed in the native bird recovery centre of Whangarei and are a must to visit destination in your Whangarei vacation. The quarry gardens of Whangarei with natural beauty and walkways are a major tourist attraction in this city.
Accommodation
Accommodation options are plenty in Whangarei and you could choose anything comfortable for you. The homes, houses and apartments provide all basic facilities for tourists at affordable rates. There are vacation rentals, cabins, cottages and hotels where quality accommodation is provided to tourists. Easy accessibility to major tourist centers makes these places comfortable and convenient for visitors.

Accommodation

Accommodation options are plenty in Whangarei and you could choose anything comfortable for you. The homes, houses and apartments provide all basic facilities for tourists at affordable rates. There are vacation rentals, cabins, cottages and hotels where quality accommodation is provided to tourists. Easy accessibility to major tourist centers makes these places comfortable and convenient for visitors. Click here see the best Whangarei accommodation deals.

Shopping

Whangarei is the commercial center of New Zealand and no wonder, this city has various shopping centers and destinations with unique accessories and articles for visitors. The growers market in Whangarei is a place for fresh, locally produced growers. Honey, egg, beef, and oysters of natural origin are available for shopping in these markets. Duty free shops, shopping galleries and centre house some of the rare products of art, crafts and traditional jewelry. Wood products, jade, sculptures, glass, ceramic and fashion items are unavoidable from a shopping experience in Whangarei.
Antiques, greenstone and food products unique to Whangarei are available in the souvenir and gift shops of the city. Kauri timber of around 40000 years old is used to make clocks, mirrors and tables. These hand crafted products are a must to see and shop items of a shopping day in Whangarei.

Restaurants

Elegant dining is offered at the cafes and restaurants of Whangarei. Typical dishes from the kitchens of Whangarei are available in these restaurants. The eateries available in these hotels have some unique taste that waters your mouth even after you leave New Zealand. Diversity is visible in all restaurants and this is in fact the major attraction of Whangarei. The fresh fish with a hint of garlic and chili with wine is a special dish served in the hotels. Baked chicken with honey, garlic and other ingredients is another traditional item served for tourists. The list of dishes and menus in Whangarei hotels are unending.

Events and Entertainment

Whangarei local people and tourist department always try to bring something different and unique for tourists all the year round. Events and entertainment options are unlimited in the city. You can check out for what is happening in the nearby destination in Whangarei. Events, concerts, festivals and shows are common in Whangarei. The summertime events are festivals of color and special days like New Year Eve is welcomed with much fun and entertainment. Food show, heritage festival and art shows are some of the places where you will enjoy and discover the real beauty of Whangarei and its historical importance.
You could plan a wonderful holiday in Whangarei with your friends and family. The city welcomes people from all corners of the world to enjoy the uniqueness and peculiarities of this tourist destination. People regardless of age differences find immense pleasure and joy during a vacation in this commercial centre of New Zealand.

Whangarei City & Travel Guide

Whangarei Travel Guide & Visitor Information