What to do in Whangarei

Activities, attractions and tours

A waterfront with boats docked, a pier with a red-roofed building, and greenery along the shore.
A marina with multiple sailboats docked, surrounded by lush greenery and hills in the background.
A close-up of green leaves with visible veins.
A waterfall cascading into a calm pool surrounded by lush greenery.
A rural landscape with a winding road, green fields, a hill with trees, and a small building.

Whangarei Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Whangarei has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Whangarei is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Whangarei to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Whangarei Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Whangarei.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Whangarei attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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Top places to visit

1. Town Basin Marina

If you love the water and art browsing, make a beeline for the Town Basin Marina when you arrive in Whangarei. Browse the shops, restaurants, cafés and docks of the Whangarei Marina, watch boats come and go, then follow the Town Basin Art Trail along the waterfront to be immersed in creativity and culture.
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A marina with several sailboats docked, a small bridge, and a restaurant named "Nevo's Restaurant & Bar" with a red roof.

2. Whangarei Quarry Gardens

Whangarei Quarry Gardens are a community-run project that feature landscaped gardens, a visitor centre and a café. Explore the many gardens that include a collection of camellias and an area with cacti and succulents. Whangarei Quarry Gardens is home to a regenerating forest that is teeming with indigenous plants.
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A garden with a waterfall, red and pink flowers, and a rocky landscape.

3. Botanica & Cafler Park

Visit two of Whangarei’s best green spaces. First, enjoy the landscaped beauty of Cafler Park, then learn about ferns, cacti and other plant species in the green houses and gardens of nearby Botanica Whangarei.
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A greenhouse with a sign that reads "Fernery."

4. Reyburn House

The Northland Society of Arts (NSA) has been the proud custodian of Reyburn House since 1966. Visit this heritage house in Whangarei’s Town Basin to see an art collection and to enjoy the location of this precious reminder of days gone by. The kids will love the adjacent Town Basin playground.
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A yellow building with a white porch, surrounded by lush gardens and a winding path.

5. Claphams National Clock Museum

See an enormous collection of historic, artistic and antique clocks at Claphams National Clock Museum in Whangarei. The museum’s collection includes approximately 1,500 clocks that range from Victorian cuckoos to small children’s clocks. Timepieces built by famous clockmakers, including London’s Edward John Dent, also feature in the museum’s displays.
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The Clapham National Clock Museum entrance with a mural of clocks and gears.

Recommended things to do in Whangarei

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Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
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Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Whangarei

Stay near popular Whangarei attractions

A marina with several sailboats docked, a small bridge, and a restaurant named "Nevo's Restaurant & Bar" with a red roof.

Town Basin Marina

9.2/10 (360 reviews)
Stroll through this picturesque yachting marina and along its pedestrianized river inlet, a place where seafaring, heritage, arts and culture come together.
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Where to stay in Whangarei

Find the best Whangarei areas and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Whangarei
Learn more about Whangarei
Beautiful view of Mount Manaia in Whangarei Heads, New Zealand with a blue sky in the background

One Tree Point

While One Tree Point might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Mount Manaia and Mcleod Bay.
A waterfront with boats docked, a pier with a red-roofed building, and greenery along the shore.

Whangarei Central

If you're spending some time in Whangarei Central, Town Basin Marina and Whangarei Art Museum are top sights worth seeing.

Onerahi

While Onerahi might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Town Basin Marina and Botanica & Cafler Park.

Marsden Point

Though Marsden Point might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Mount Manaia and Ruakaka Beach.

Riverside

While Riverside isn't home to many top sights, Town Basin Marina and Botanica & Cafler Park are some notable places to visit nearby.

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Whangarei

A river with waterfalls surrounded by dense green forest.

Glenbervie

Frequently asked questions

Is Whangarei worth visiting?
Whangarei offers a unique mix of culture, attractions and local charm. Whether you're into nature, history or traditional cuisine, there's plenty you'll enjoy here.
How do I spend a day in Whangarei?
Kingdom of Zion and Whangarei Art Museum are two great places to start your vacation adventures. Remember to check out the retail and dining options in Whangarei while you're in town too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Whangarei?
The top tourist attraction in Whangarei is Kingdom of Zion, so make sure to include it on your agenda.
Is three days enough to stay in Whangarei?
Three days will give you time to check out many city highlights, including Town Basin Marina, Whangarei Quarry Gardens and Whangarei Art Museum. The average stay in Whangarei is two days. If you feel the urge to extend your getaway, Tutukaka isn't far away.
Is Whangarei a walkable city?
Some top attractions in Whangarei, like Town Basin Marina and Whangarei Quarry Gardens, are within walking distance. You can also discover several of the city's popular neighbourhoods on foot. Only 2 kilometres from the city centre of Whangarei is Woodhill and Onerahi is 5 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Whangarei with kids?
If you are after activities and attractions for all of your group, check out these great ideas for what to do in Whangarei with kids.
What to do in Whangarei for adults?
There's no shortage of things to do in Whangarei, with entertainment for adults of all ages. Finish your day off at Kiwi North: Museum or Claphams Clock Museum.
Are there free things to do in Whangarei?
One of the top ways to learn about free things to do in Whangarei is to chat to a local tour guide. You'll get insider views on interesting neighbourhoods, parks and other attractions you can enjoy without getting your cash out. Town Basin Marina is one spot that doesn't have an entrance fee.