Whangarei & surrounds

In Whangarei you get the best of both worlds, urban and rural. This lively harbour-side city offers great shopping, arts and culture. Just a short drive away you find rural idyll in the pretty bays of Whangarei Heads and on to the stunning coastline out at Ocean Beach.

The coastal route from the Bay of Islands to Whangarei takes you on a leisurely path along the gorgeous Tutukaka Coast. Once in the the city (only 45 minutes from Paihia via the state highway), you find all that you would expect, from good shopping opportunities to excellent cafes and restaurants. There is a strong arts vein to the city, with many small galleries in the town basin.

Heading out to Onerahi and beyond, you will reach follow the north side of the Whangarei Harbour, taking you out towards some of the most stunning small bays and beaches and the opportunity for fantastic day walks at Mount Manaia and Breamhead.