Vinkal's Guidebook
Sightseeing
Only a 10 mins drive from us is the mighty Mount Manaia.
Wander through regenerating native forest to the summit of Mount Manaia, where rocky outcrops create perfect natural lookouts with spectacular views. Wind your way through regenerating native forest to the summit of Mount Manaia, 420m above sea level.
As you climb, the landscape becomes increasingly spectacular, with views overlooking one of New Zealand's most dramatic harbour entrances. Along the way, check out the impressive stands of large tree ferns (punga) and natural rocky outcrops that are perfect lookouts for views of Bream Head and the Hen and Chicken Islands. To reach the mountain's true summit, you will need a strong head for heights, but the views from the top are well worth the effort.
49 recommandé par les habitants
Mount Manaia
Only a 10 mins drive from us is the mighty Mount Manaia.
Wander through regenerating native forest to the summit of Mount Manaia, where rocky outcrops create perfect natural lookouts with spectacular views. Wind your way through regenerating native forest to the summit of Mount Manaia, 420m above sea level.
As you climb, the landscape becomes increasingly spectacular, with views overlooking one of New Zealand's most dramatic harbour entrances. Along the way, check out the impressive stands of large tree ferns (punga) and natural rocky outcrops that are perfect lookouts for views of Bream Head and the Hen and Chicken Islands. To reach the mountain's true summit, you will need a strong head for heights, but the views from the top are well worth the effort.
10-15 mins drive from Country Nirvana, you will find yourself at Whangarei’s premier surf beach with its beautiful white sand and views of Bream Head. Lifeguards on duty over summer months. Play in the surf, run down the dunes, or just explore the surrounding environment. Public toilets in the car park.
34 recommandé par les habitants
Ocean Beach
374 Ocean Beach Rd10-15 mins drive from Country Nirvana, you will find yourself at Whangarei’s premier surf beach with its beautiful white sand and views of Bream Head. Lifeguards on duty over summer months. Play in the surf, run down the dunes, or just explore the surrounding environment. Public toilets in the car park.
It will take a nice, calming 20 mins drive to Smuggler’s Bay. Another 10-15 mins walk from the car park, you will find an amazing Instagrammable beach. With its stunningly clear water and white sand, this is one not to be missed. This secluded beach is great for swimming, snorkelling and has some large pohutukawa for shade.
18 recommandé par les habitants
Smuggler's Bay
It will take a nice, calming 20 mins drive to Smuggler’s Bay. Another 10-15 mins walk from the car park, you will find an amazing Instagrammable beach. With its stunningly clear water and white sand, this is one not to be missed. This secluded beach is great for swimming, snorkelling and has some large pohutukawa for shade.
Just 10 mins away is the Reotahi Marine Reserve.
Boating, kayaking or snorkelling are great activities within the Reotahi Marine Reserve. Nearby at Reotahi beachside community, there is a boat ramp and a safe beach for swimming.
Reotahi Bay
Just 10 mins away is the Reotahi Marine Reserve.
Boating, kayaking or snorkelling are great activities within the Reotahi Marine Reserve. Nearby at Reotahi beachside community, there is a boat ramp and a safe beach for swimming.
About 10-12 mins drive from Country Nirvana and here’s the Little Munro Bay.
Another popular swimming beach. Also good spot to launch boats at high and low tides. Some large pohutukawa trees for shade.
Little Munroe Bay
About 10-12 mins drive from Country Nirvana and here’s the Little Munro Bay.
Another popular swimming beach. Also good spot to launch boats at high and low tides. Some large pohutukawa trees for shade.
10 mins drive and you have Taurikura Beach. Great for swimming with kids. Playground. Public toilets and tennis courts. Some pohutukawa for shade
6 recommandé par les habitants
Taurikura Bay
10 mins drive and you have Taurikura Beach. Great for swimming with kids. Playground. Public toilets and tennis courts. Some pohutukawa for shade
Follow in the footsteps of Northland's Māori ancestors. This challenging track climbs through coastal forest before revealing a spectacular 360-degree panorama. It's one of our best day hikes.
Some of the best coastal forest in the North Island.
Magnificent coastal panorama views.
Ruins of a WWII radar station.
Bream Head (Te Whara) Scenic Reserve
Follow in the footsteps of Northland's Māori ancestors. This challenging track climbs through coastal forest before revealing a spectacular 360-degree panorama. It's one of our best day hikes.
Some of the best coastal forest in the North Island.
Magnificent coastal panorama views.
Ruins of a WWII radar station.
About 10-12 mins drive is the absolutely beautiful Kauri Mountain Beach and Walk.
Kauri Mountain Beach offers a spectacular experience with approximately 6 kms of white sandy Ocean Beach. Be sure to take supplies if you wish to walk the whole beach and back, or organise a driver to pick you up at the other end.
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Kauri Mountain Beach
Kauri Mountain RoadAbout 10-12 mins drive is the absolutely beautiful Kauri Mountain Beach and Walk.
Kauri Mountain Beach offers a spectacular experience with approximately 6 kms of white sandy Ocean Beach. Be sure to take supplies if you wish to walk the whole beach and back, or organise a driver to pick you up at the other end.
About 5 mins away is the Pataua South Beach, also known as the Frogtown Beach.
It is a popular family beach, ideal for boogie boarding or just playing in the waves. Safe, white sand beach. Access via Mahanga Rd in Pataua South.
The local campground store is open over the summer months, selling ice cream, fish and chips, etc
Pataua
About 5 mins away is the Pataua South Beach, also known as the Frogtown Beach.
It is a popular family beach, ideal for boogie boarding or just playing in the waves. Safe, white sand beach. Access via Mahanga Rd in Pataua South.
The local campground store is open over the summer months, selling ice cream, fish and chips, etc
From the Tiller Park car park this track passes between two large boulders and quickly has you climbing. The surrounding bush keeps you cool in the shade. There are rest spots with seats and plenty of opportunities to stand and admire the views. Pataua and the Pacific coastline can be seen to the east, together with Whangarei Heads and Mt Manaia to the south. Walk quietly and birds of all sorts will serenade you. This is a truly spectacular walk with plenty to look at and admire.
This track can be extended to include the Reotahi.
It’s only a 10 mins drive from Country Nirvana!
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Mount Aubrey
From the Tiller Park car park this track passes between two large boulders and quickly has you climbing. The surrounding bush keeps you cool in the shade. There are rest spots with seats and plenty of opportunities to stand and admire the views. Pataua and the Pacific coastline can be seen to the east, together with Whangarei Heads and Mt Manaia to the south. Walk quietly and birds of all sorts will serenade you. This is a truly spectacular walk with plenty to look at and admire.
This track can be extended to include the Reotahi.
It’s only a 10 mins drive from Country Nirvana!
Just before the Oceans Beach, you have a beautiful hike Peach Cove. Start from the sign posted car park located 1 km before Ocean Beach. Please park just inside the entrance as this carpark is a private driveway. Follow the track to the ridge and head right. The track becomes a formed gravel path broken up by sets of wooden steps descending steeply to Peach Cove. A Department of Conservation (DOC) serviced hut with 8 bunks can be booked in advance by phoning 09 470 3300. The track only goes one way, up and over, so unless you can arrange pick up by boat, you must return by the same route.
You do have an option to take a turn towards Te Whara track and finish at Oceans Beach.
Peach Cove Track
Peach Cove TrackJust before the Oceans Beach, you have a beautiful hike Peach Cove. Start from the sign posted car park located 1 km before Ocean Beach. Please park just inside the entrance as this carpark is a private driveway. Follow the track to the ridge and head right. The track becomes a formed gravel path broken up by sets of wooden steps descending steeply to Peach Cove. A Department of Conservation (DOC) serviced hut with 8 bunks can be booked in advance by phoning 09 470 3300. The track only goes one way, up and over, so unless you can arrange pick up by boat, you must return by the same route.
You do have an option to take a turn towards Te Whara track and finish at Oceans Beach.
Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary is a privately owned zoo located near Kamo, Whangarei. The facility houses a collection of four species of large cats and was formerly used as a location for the filming of the television series The Lion Man. More information on the site.
https://bigcats.co.nz
Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary
124 Gray RdKamo Wildlife Sanctuary is a privately owned zoo located near Kamo, Whangarei. The facility houses a collection of four species of large cats and was formerly used as a location for the filming of the television series The Lion Man. More information on the site.
https://bigcats.co.nz
You will find Northland's only Kiwi House here at Kiwi North. This Whangarei attraction is set on 25 hectares of rolling farmland, forest & bush, with views that overlook the city & the Whangarei Heads the site features a museum, a nocturnal kiwi house and gift store, and unique Victorian heritage buildings. More information available on the site.
https://www.kiwinorth.co.nz
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Kiwi North - Kiwi House, Museum & Heritage Park
500 State Hwy 14You will find Northland's only Kiwi House here at Kiwi North. This Whangarei attraction is set on 25 hectares of rolling farmland, forest & bush, with views that overlook the city & the Whangarei Heads the site features a museum, a nocturnal kiwi house and gift store, and unique Victorian heritage buildings. More information available on the site.
https://www.kiwinorth.co.nz
Whangārei Art Museum is Northland’s premier public art gallery, and the custodian of Whangārei city’s outstanding art collection. The Hātea Art Precinct Trust, which governs the art museum, also oversees the Hundertwasser Art Centre and Wairau Māori Art Gallery. This landmark project in Whangārei is the realisation of a community vision more than 25 years in the making.
Hundertwasser Art Centre is the only permanent display of renowned artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser’s work outside Austria, and is endorsed by the Hundertwasser Foundation in Vienna. Hundertwasser designed this remarkable building with curved lines and an afforested roof, to reflect his affinity with nature and his adopted homeland of New Zealand.
Wairau Māori Art Gallery, housed within the Hundertwasser Art Centre, is New Zealand’s first dedicated gallery of nationally and internationally recognised contemporary Māori art. We’re privileged to partner with the Wairau Māori Art Gallery board on this project.
These three facilities combine to create an art precinct that operates at an international standard, and that Northlanders can be proud to call their own. We aim to transform and enrich people’s lives through the experience of art and nature.
9 recommandé par les habitants
Whangarei Art Museum
91 Dent StWhangārei Art Museum is Northland’s premier public art gallery, and the custodian of Whangārei city’s outstanding art collection. The Hātea Art Precinct Trust, which governs the art museum, also oversees the Hundertwasser Art Centre and Wairau Māori Art Gallery. This landmark project in Whangārei is the realisation of a community vision more than 25 years in the making.
Hundertwasser Art Centre is the only permanent display of renowned artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser’s work outside Austria, and is endorsed by the Hundertwasser Foundation in Vienna. Hundertwasser designed this remarkable building with curved lines and an afforested roof, to reflect his affinity with nature and his adopted homeland of New Zealand.
Wairau Māori Art Gallery, housed within the Hundertwasser Art Centre, is New Zealand’s first dedicated gallery of nationally and internationally recognised contemporary Māori art. We’re privileged to partner with the Wairau Māori Art Gallery board on this project.
These three facilities combine to create an art precinct that operates at an international standard, and that Northlanders can be proud to call their own. We aim to transform and enrich people’s lives through the experience of art and nature.
This world-famous museum is home to one of the largest and most historically significant collections of timepieces in the southern hemisphere. You will be introduced to amazing timepieces and will discover why clocks tick, why there are 24 hours in a day, why clocks go “clockwise”, how cuckoo clocks “cuckoo”, and much more. From mindboggling backwards clocks, to antique French dancing girl clocks, and even clocks that make the tea, there’s something to entertain everyone at Claphams National Clock Museum
10 recommandé par les habitants
Claphams Clocks - The National Clock Museum
This world-famous museum is home to one of the largest and most historically significant collections of timepieces in the southern hemisphere. You will be introduced to amazing timepieces and will discover why clocks tick, why there are 24 hours in a day, why clocks go “clockwise”, how cuckoo clocks “cuckoo”, and much more. From mindboggling backwards clocks, to antique French dancing girl clocks, and even clocks that make the tea, there’s something to entertain everyone at Claphams National Clock Museum
Every millisecond has been accounted for in an eight-year project worked on by seven time-smart Whangarei men. The result is a perfected, full-scale model of the About Time ball clock sculpture, a feat of engineering which will be replicated in permanent format Whangarei's Town Basin.
Rolling Ball Clock
Every millisecond has been accounted for in an eight-year project worked on by seven time-smart Whangarei men. The result is a perfected, full-scale model of the About Time ball clock sculpture, a feat of engineering which will be replicated in permanent format Whangarei's Town Basin.
The Whangārei Camera Obscura is an interactive sculpture on the Hātea Loop walk. Visitors can enter the shell-like structure to find a surprising "upside-down projection room" inside showing the celebrated Bascule bridge, Te Matau ā Pohe and its surrounds, complete with vehicles, boats, people, skudding clouds and flowing water.
The attraction offers visitors and residents a simple yet wonderful phenomena of light projection and educational opportunities. Visitors can adjust the image using a movable aperture on the wall of the camera obscura.
It is one of only a handful of obscura sculptures in the world and is among the largest.
Camera Obscura Timatatanga Hou
The Whangārei Camera Obscura is an interactive sculpture on the Hātea Loop walk. Visitors can enter the shell-like structure to find a surprising "upside-down projection room" inside showing the celebrated Bascule bridge, Te Matau ā Pohe and its surrounds, complete with vehicles, boats, people, skudding clouds and flowing water.
The attraction offers visitors and residents a simple yet wonderful phenomena of light projection and educational opportunities. Visitors can adjust the image using a movable aperture on the wall of the camera obscura.
It is one of only a handful of obscura sculptures in the world and is among the largest.
Hundertwasser Art Centre with Wairau Māori Art Gallery is an original Hundertwasser architecture project. Absolute rationalism, geometric straight lines and the uniformity of modern architecture is abandoned in favour of new values like uniqueness, romanticism, individuality, creativity, especially creativity in harmony with nature. Hundertwasser created houses in which the creativity of nature meets human creativity. In keeping with his philosophy, the Hundertwasser Art Centre restores territories to nature with spontaneous vegetation, tree tenants and an afforested roof.
11 recommandé par les habitants
Hundertwasser Art Centre
81 Dent StreetHundertwasser Art Centre with Wairau Māori Art Gallery is an original Hundertwasser architecture project. Absolute rationalism, geometric straight lines and the uniformity of modern architecture is abandoned in favour of new values like uniqueness, romanticism, individuality, creativity, especially creativity in harmony with nature. Hundertwasser created houses in which the creativity of nature meets human creativity. In keeping with his philosophy, the Hundertwasser Art Centre restores territories to nature with spontaneous vegetation, tree tenants and an afforested roof.
Wairau Māori Art Gallery is home to the finest examples of contemporary Māori art and is designed to promote and enhance Te Ao Māori. It is the first unique and dedicated public Māori Art Gallery in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Wairau Māori Art Gallery
2 QuaysideWairau Māori Art Gallery is home to the finest examples of contemporary Māori art and is designed to promote and enhance Te Ao Māori. It is the first unique and dedicated public Māori Art Gallery in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Whangarei Quarry Gardens is a subtropical oasis created by volunteers in the remnants of a former quarry.
The Gardens are open to the public and feature a plethora of NZ native and exotic plant species.
Quarry Gardens Waterfalls
Whangarei Quarry Gardens is a subtropical oasis created by volunteers in the remnants of a former quarry.
The Gardens are open to the public and feature a plethora of NZ native and exotic plant species.
A system of three unspoilt caves, with glow worms and stalactites, right on our doorstep. If you really want to feel like you are the first adventurer to ever set foot in a cave, this is the place to go. Undeveloped and unmanned, you’re on your own, and it’s free! Make sure someone knows where you are and what time you’re due back. Not recommended to go by yourself. Need a moderate level of fitness and prepare to get wet, but great fun! You will need good sturdy shoes, torch and preferably a helmet of some kind! The Abbey Caves Reserve features dramatic limestone outcrops, sink holes and three significant caves; Organ, Middle and Ivy.
A well-established native forest includes particularly fine specimens of puriri trees.
27 recommandé par les habitants
Abbey Caves
A system of three unspoilt caves, with glow worms and stalactites, right on our doorstep. If you really want to feel like you are the first adventurer to ever set foot in a cave, this is the place to go. Undeveloped and unmanned, you’re on your own, and it’s free! Make sure someone knows where you are and what time you’re due back. Not recommended to go by yourself. Need a moderate level of fitness and prepare to get wet, but great fun! You will need good sturdy shoes, torch and preferably a helmet of some kind! The Abbey Caves Reserve features dramatic limestone outcrops, sink holes and three significant caves; Organ, Middle and Ivy.
A well-established native forest includes particularly fine specimens of puriri trees.
Food scene
Beautiful cafe, delicious food and awesome location. Either you’re returning from your hike from Mt Manaia, Mt Albert, Peach Cove or Oceans Beach, it’s a great stop to get some delicious kai.
19 recommandé par les habitants
The Deck Cafe
1 Reotahi RdBeautiful cafe, delicious food and awesome location. Either you’re returning from your hike from Mt Manaia, Mt Albert, Peach Cove or Oceans Beach, it’s a great stop to get some delicious kai.
Parua Bay Tavern is nestled on the waterfront of the beautiful Whangarei heads harbour under the majestic Mt Aubrey & Whangarei Headland. It’s only a 10 mins drive and we recommend booking ahead. They can be really busy on the weekends.
70 recommandé par les habitants
Parua Bay Tavern
1034 Whangarei Heads RdParua Bay Tavern is nestled on the waterfront of the beautiful Whangarei heads harbour under the majestic Mt Aubrey & Whangarei Headland. It’s only a 10 mins drive and we recommend booking ahead. They can be really busy on the weekends.
The Quay is in a premier location in Whangarei town, right on the Hatea river at the heart of the marina in the town basin. Spectacular Views from the deck and veranda over the marina. The Quay is a world class restaurant serving the best cuisine in a beautiful interior with impeccable service.
30 recommandé par les habitants
The Quay
31 QuaysideThe Quay is in a premier location in Whangarei town, right on the Hatea river at the heart of the marina in the town basin. Spectacular Views from the deck and veranda over the marina. The Quay is a world class restaurant serving the best cuisine in a beautiful interior with impeccable service.
Cozy Israeli cafe with delicious food and great service. If you are in Whangarei town, we recommend their Baklava.
15 recommandé par les habitants
Fat Camel Cafe
12 Quality StCozy Israeli cafe with delicious food and great service. If you are in Whangarei town, we recommend their Baklava.
Owhiwa Road Pizza - Authentic wood fired pizza made using fresh ingredients.
They are about 10-12 mins drive from us!
Available for pickup and delivery every Friday from 4pm to 8pm.
Checkout their Facebook page for the pizza of the day.
Owhiwa Road
Owhiwa RoadOwhiwa Road Pizza - Authentic wood fired pizza made using fresh ingredients.
They are about 10-12 mins drive from us!
Available for pickup and delivery every Friday from 4pm to 8pm.
Checkout their Facebook page for the pizza of the day.