Whangarei is located on the stunning north-western coastline of Whangarei Harbour, just 30 kilometres west of Whangerei Heads which connects the harbour to the Pacific Ocean. It is a small modern city of approximately 50,000 residents and is surrounded by fertile farmlands, orchards and forests, and is known as New Zealand’s northernmost city. It lies 160 kilometres north of Auckland and less than 80 kilometres south of the Bay of Islands and is the largest city, principal commercial centre and capital of the Northland Region. Whangarei is the main transport hub in the region and stands at the centre of a popular tourist area containing the famous Bay of Islands, Ninety Mile Beach and the two most northerly points in New Zealand, Cape Reinga and North Cape. Whangarei makes an ideal location from which to tour this northern region which has a rich cultural heritage, numerous places of interest and an abundance of outstanding natural beauty.
Whangarei is known for its rugged windswept Whangarei Heads and its pristine harbour with its numerous sandy beaches and tranquil bays, all of which are backed by picturesque rolling hills and forested volcanic peaks. It is an area which provides visitors with many activities such as swimming or lazing in the sun on one of its 100 beaches, sailing on the harbour from the Town Basin Marina, surfing on the awesome waves of the Tasman Sea, deep-sea fishing or diving off the nearby Poor Knights Islands or kayaking around the beautiful harbour. If water isn’t your thing it is also possible to hike on some of the many trails that surround Whangarei, mountain-bike ride in the Glenbervie Forest, walk to the nearby Whangarei Falls or visit the Mount Parihaka Lookout where superb panoramic views over the harbour can be enjoyed. If all this isn’t enough a bird’s eye view can be experience by partaking of a scenic flight by helicopter which is probably the best way to see the highlights of the region. The town itself is also well equipped to satisfy the large number of visitors and provides numerous local galleries and craft shops for that unique purchase and a shopping district for the essentials in life, cafes, restaurants, shops and cinema. While in Whangarei why not try the local fudge, be tempted by the brews of Brauhaus Frings the city’s own micro-brewery or perhaps try your hand at bone carving. If you have time why not make a visit to the Clarke Homestead known as ‘Glorat’ where the whole family can have some fun. Visit the Kiwi House to see the nocturnal activities of the Kiwi, enter the Oruaiti Chapel which is thought to be New Zealand’s smallest church, visit the first Women’s Gaol and/or Jane Mander’s Study.
For those who are interested, in the small town of Waipu, which is located approximately 40 kilometres south of Whangarei, visitor can see New Zealand’s longest running Highland Games which take place every New Year’s Day. The games are considered to be one of the most iconic events in all of Northland and include piping, drumming, fiddling and dancing, plus a full program of athletic and heavyweight competitions.
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