THINGS TO DO IN THE WHANGAROA AREA

Accommodation in the Whangaroa Area  
Charter Boats operating from Whangaroa Harbour

Boating and fishing is a large part of life in the Whangaroa area, however there are many land-based activities close by or just a short drive away.

BEACHES

Tauranga Bay is one of many unspoilt sandy beaches along the scenic drive towards  Matauri Bay.  This is also a beautiful beach with views to the Cavalli Islands, the final resting place of the Greenpeace flagship ‘Rainbow Warrior’.  Dive trips to the wreck leave from Whangaroa Harbour.
Find a Charter Boat

THE BUSH

There are Department of Conservation walkways nearby and these are highly recommended.  Visit the D0C.website for more information.

GOLF

Courses can be found at Whangaroa, Carrington Estate on the Karikari Peninsular, Kerikeri, Waitangi as well as world-class golf just 25 minutes from Whangaroa at the exclusive Kauri Cliffs.

SHOPPING

Kaeo is a small community close to Whangaroa with a supermarket, bakery, pharmacy, and museum.  Slightly further afield but still only 35 minutes by car is Kerikeri, offering a wide variety of boutique type shops as well as a large number of cafes and restaurants, wineries and art and craft shops.

SIGHTSEEING

When you have explored Whangaroa, there are many other options available to you.
These are highly recommended!

KERIKERI

Known as ‘Cradle of the Nation’ and learn of the early Maori and European settlers.  Visit a reconstructed Maori village, the Stone Store and Kemp House, New Zealand’s oldest surviving building made of wood.  Make a day of it, visit the wineries, have lunch in an award-winning café, follow the art and craft trail, and learn all about the Kiwi at Aroha Island Ecological Centre.

MANGONUI

A charming historic port and early Maori settlement. Home to the ‘World Famous Fish Shop’. Eat your fish and chips alfresco over the water.  Mangonui is renowned for it’s craft shops and quaint buildings.

PAIHIA & RUSSELL

Paihia is known as Northland’s adventure playground. Take a boat trip, parasail, jet ski, hire a kayak or laze on the beach. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, take a short ferry ride to romantic Russell.

THE WEST COAST

Visit the mighty Kauri tree ‘Tane Mahuta” (king of the forest) along a short well-maintained walkway. Relax on the beach at Omapere or Opononi, or drop in for lunch at ‘The Boatshed’ in Rawene.

CAPE REINGA

The top of New Zealand. See the meeting of the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea. Truly amazing scenery.  Bus tours leave from Paihia in the Bay of Islands, picking up passengers in Kerikeri along the way. The highlight of the journey is the bus ride up 90 mile beach.