Whangarei Heads
Beaches
This is the most popular beach in the area, and your best bet for catching some waves. It can be good for swimming, but be careful of rips. The sand gets really hot!
You can walk over the sand dune on the north end (right when facing the ocean) to get to proctors beach and a very long stretch of beautiful sand. You will likely have this all to yourself and can walk all the way to Kauri Mountain. There are some beautiful tide pools (lower tides) at the foot of the big sand dune, and further north as well.
If you walk to the south end of the beach, you can start climbing the Te Whara track, or drop back down into another gorgeous and uncrowded beach.
It takes 15-20 minutes to drive to oceans from the house.
34 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Ocean Beach
374 Ocean Beach RdThis is the most popular beach in the area, and your best bet for catching some waves. It can be good for swimming, but be careful of rips. The sand gets really hot!
You can walk over the sand dune on the north end (right when facing the ocean) to get to proctors beach and a very long stretch of beautiful sand. You will likely have this all to yourself and can walk all the way to Kauri Mountain. There are some beautiful tide pools (lower tides) at the foot of the big sand dune, and further north as well.
If you walk to the south end of the beach, you can start climbing the Te Whara track, or drop back down into another gorgeous and uncrowded beach.
It takes 15-20 minutes to drive to oceans from the house.
This spot has something for everyone, and lots of fun places to explore. The estuary gets very warm for swimming, especially after the high tide. If you drive straight ahead to the end of the road, there is a parking lot and toilets. You can jump off the bridge there (high tide activity), and walk across to reach Pataua North. You can follow the shore to get to the ocean, which has a few surf breaks (highly variable). It gets very shallow during low tide.
If you walk the opposite way, away from the bridge to the right, and follow the beach down past Treasure Island camp site, you will find Frogtown, a very popular beach with campers that is fun for boogie boarding. The campsite sells food in the summer (if open, fish and chips and the like).
It's a 10-15 minute drive from the house.
Pataua
This spot has something for everyone, and lots of fun places to explore. The estuary gets very warm for swimming, especially after the high tide. If you drive straight ahead to the end of the road, there is a parking lot and toilets. You can jump off the bridge there (high tide activity), and walk across to reach Pataua North. You can follow the shore to get to the ocean, which has a few surf breaks (highly variable). It gets very shallow during low tide.
If you walk the opposite way, away from the bridge to the right, and follow the beach down past Treasure Island camp site, you will find Frogtown, a very popular beach with campers that is fun for boogie boarding. The campsite sells food in the summer (if open, fish and chips and the like).
It's a 10-15 minute drive from the house.
If you are looking for a less popular spot, or just wanting to explore the area a bit further, you can check out Taiharuru Bay. This beach is pretty calm and very beautiful. It looks good for swimming but I have never done it.
This is an erosion assessment... but it shows a good aerial view of the bay: https://www.nrc.govt.nz/media/zpwhg34w/7taiharuru.pdf
Taiharuru Bay
If you are looking for a less popular spot, or just wanting to explore the area a bit further, you can check out Taiharuru Bay. This beach is pretty calm and very beautiful. It looks good for swimming but I have never done it.
This is an erosion assessment... but it shows a good aerial view of the bay: https://www.nrc.govt.nz/media/zpwhg34w/7taiharuru.pdf
Walk
I categorize this beach as a walk because you have to walk to get there. There are several trails around this headland (there is a good map in the parking lot, and bathrooms there, too). The shortest way to the beach is over the saddle, about 10 minutes. If you walk around the long way, you will see the refinery and beyond to Ruakaka, and get some really lovely views up the coast from the top. It could take up to 1.5 or 2 hours to walk all the way around, plus beach time. There is another beach you can explore along the way, pebbly rather than sandy.
You can start or end the Te Whara track here. It goes all the way to Oceans. Also, there are a bunch of cows roaming around in this area.
It's about a 15 minute drive to the trailhead.
https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/northland/places/whangarei-heads-area/things-to-do/smugglers-bay-loop-track/
18 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Smuggler's Bay
I categorize this beach as a walk because you have to walk to get there. There are several trails around this headland (there is a good map in the parking lot, and bathrooms there, too). The shortest way to the beach is over the saddle, about 10 minutes. If you walk around the long way, you will see the refinery and beyond to Ruakaka, and get some really lovely views up the coast from the top. It could take up to 1.5 or 2 hours to walk all the way around, plus beach time. There is another beach you can explore along the way, pebbly rather than sandy.
You can start or end the Te Whara track here. It goes all the way to Oceans. Also, there are a bunch of cows roaming around in this area.
It's about a 15 minute drive to the trailhead.
https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/northland/places/whangarei-heads-area/things-to-do/smugglers-bay-loop-track/
Mt Aubrey is similar to Mt Manaia in some ways, mainly that you climb steeply to the top up a bunch of stairs. You'll get similar views. However, Aubrey is shorter, you can be at the start of the ridge in about 20 minutes. You can also climb up and over to Little Munroe Bay. From there, you can turn around, go left back to your car through the neighborhood, stopping at the Deck for a coffee or snack, or turn right and follow the path the the marine reserve and then up the hill to Tiller park. It could take an hour an a half or longer to do any of these options.
You can swim at Little Munroe and the marine reserve (you can also snorkel there).
It's about a 10 minute drive to Tiller Park.
17 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Mount Aubrey
Mt Aubrey is similar to Mt Manaia in some ways, mainly that you climb steeply to the top up a bunch of stairs. You'll get similar views. However, Aubrey is shorter, you can be at the start of the ridge in about 20 minutes. You can also climb up and over to Little Munroe Bay. From there, you can turn around, go left back to your car through the neighborhood, stopping at the Deck for a coffee or snack, or turn right and follow the path the the marine reserve and then up the hill to Tiller park. It could take an hour an a half or longer to do any of these options.
You can swim at Little Munroe and the marine reserve (you can also snorkel there).
It's about a 10 minute drive to Tiller Park.
This iconic spot is a must-visit if you like walking. The ascent is pretty steep, taking an average of 45 minutes to the top if you walk at a steady pace. My little guy and his grandma did it in an hour. You will climb many stairs and get a variety of views along the way.
There is a little side trail off the boardwalk when you get to the big kauri (pretty close to the top). Spot it to the right and follow it to an outcropping for another amazing vista.
One nice thing about this hike is that it is almost fully shaded. And the views at the top are sweeping, from the ocean to the bay.
https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/northland/places/whangarei-heads-area/things-to-do/mount-manaia-track/
49 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Mount Manaia
This iconic spot is a must-visit if you like walking. The ascent is pretty steep, taking an average of 45 minutes to the top if you walk at a steady pace. My little guy and his grandma did it in an hour. You will climb many stairs and get a variety of views along the way.
There is a little side trail off the boardwalk when you get to the big kauri (pretty close to the top). Spot it to the right and follow it to an outcropping for another amazing vista.
One nice thing about this hike is that it is almost fully shaded. And the views at the top are sweeping, from the ocean to the bay.
https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/northland/places/whangarei-heads-area/things-to-do/mount-manaia-track/
Incredible walk from Smugglers to Oceans, or vice versa. I personally think it is better to walk from Smugglers to Oceans because the views on the steep descent down to Oceans are incredible and easier to enjoy if you are walking down (facing the right direction and less tired!). Walking up the hill from Oceans is a killer, and no shade. At least walking up from Smugglers, you get stairs and shade.
It takes between 4 and 6 hours.
If you don't want to walk all the way back to you car along the road (or don't want to do the trail down and back), a good alternate route is to start at the Peach Cove parking lot and end at Ocean Beach. The walk from Oceans to Peach Cove parking lot along the Road is not that far.
https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/northland/places/whangarei-heads-area/things-to-do/te-whara-track/
6 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Te Whara Track
Incredible walk from Smugglers to Oceans, or vice versa. I personally think it is better to walk from Smugglers to Oceans because the views on the steep descent down to Oceans are incredible and easier to enjoy if you are walking down (facing the right direction and less tired!). Walking up the hill from Oceans is a killer, and no shade. At least walking up from Smugglers, you get stairs and shade.
It takes between 4 and 6 hours.
If you don't want to walk all the way back to you car along the road (or don't want to do the trail down and back), a good alternate route is to start at the Peach Cove parking lot and end at Ocean Beach. The walk from Oceans to Peach Cove parking lot along the Road is not that far.
https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/northland/places/whangarei-heads-area/things-to-do/te-whara-track/
This trail goes up and over the Te Whara Track, intersecting with it for a short distance. You will walk up and down many stairs, as it is a pretty steep descent to the DOC hut. It takes 2-3 hours round trip. Alternatively, you could walk up this trail, then go left to come down at ocean beach, or when you hit the sign to drop down to the Peach Cove hut, you could keep going straight to Smugglers.
The trailhead is signposted on the road, very close to Ocean Beach. It takes about 15 minutes to drive there.
https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/northland/places/whangarei-heads-area/things-to-do/peach-cove-track/
Peach Cove Track
Peach Cove TrackThis trail goes up and over the Te Whara Track, intersecting with it for a short distance. You will walk up and down many stairs, as it is a pretty steep descent to the DOC hut. It takes 2-3 hours round trip. Alternatively, you could walk up this trail, then go left to come down at ocean beach, or when you hit the sign to drop down to the Peach Cove hut, you could keep going straight to Smugglers.
The trailhead is signposted on the road, very close to Ocean Beach. It takes about 15 minutes to drive there.
https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/northland/places/whangarei-heads-area/things-to-do/peach-cove-track/
Also known as the Hatea Look, this path goes by the Hundertwasser Art Center, restaurants, shops, and art sculpture, goes over the harbour bridge, next to the BMX track and pump track across form the dog park, and back along the road to the canopy bridge.
You can park at the Town Basin (paid parking), but if you plan to do the full loop, you can park at the skate park or dog park, which are both free, and closer if you are driving there from the house. The trail between the harbour bridge and the canopy bridge is the most interesting. There really isn't much on the other side.
8 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Town Basin Loop Track Sculpture Trail
Also known as the Hatea Look, this path goes by the Hundertwasser Art Center, restaurants, shops, and art sculpture, goes over the harbour bridge, next to the BMX track and pump track across form the dog park, and back along the road to the canopy bridge.
You can park at the Town Basin (paid parking), but if you plan to do the full loop, you can park at the skate park or dog park, which are both free, and closer if you are driving there from the house. The trail between the harbour bridge and the canopy bridge is the most interesting. There really isn't much on the other side.
Eating
This is a great place to get a coffee, ice cream, or meal, with lovely views of McLeod Bay. They have a full menu and a display case with quick selections. They have their liquor license (since spring 2022). There is a takeaway place next door, also.
It's a 10 minute drive from the house.
19 現地メンバーのおすすめ
The Deck Cafe
1 Reotahi RdThis is a great place to get a coffee, ice cream, or meal, with lovely views of McLeod Bay. They have a full menu and a display case with quick selections. They have their liquor license (since spring 2022). There is a takeaway place next door, also.
It's a 10 minute drive from the house.
This is the best place to eat in the Heads. Good pub food, pizzas, beers, outdoor dining, and sometimes a quiz night.
It's 5 minutes from the house, back towards town.
70 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Parua Bay Tavern
1034 Whangarei Heads RdThis is the best place to eat in the Heads. Good pub food, pizzas, beers, outdoor dining, and sometimes a quiz night.
It's 5 minutes from the house, back towards town.
Local cafe, with dinner options Thurs-Sun. They serve alcohol. It's friendly and cute and only a short walk from the house (at the far left end of the shops).
https://www.facebook.com/smithandlocalparuabay/
14 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Smith & Local Parua Bay
1375 Whangarei Heads RdLocal cafe, with dinner options Thurs-Sun. They serve alcohol. It's friendly and cute and only a short walk from the house (at the far left end of the shops).
https://www.facebook.com/smithandlocalparuabay/
Cafe in the morning, Indian restaurant at night. Great option for dine in and takeaways. All of their food is really yummy, I especially love the curries. BYOB. Located next to 4 Square, a very short walk from the house. Closed Mondays.
https://www.facebook.com/New-day-cafe-restaurant-111252040654558/
10 現地メンバーのおすすめ
New Day Cafe
1387 Whangarei Heads RdCafe in the morning, Indian restaurant at night. Great option for dine in and takeaways. All of their food is really yummy, I especially love the curries. BYOB. Located next to 4 Square, a very short walk from the house. Closed Mondays.
https://www.facebook.com/New-day-cafe-restaurant-111252040654558/
Owhwia Road Pizza is run by our friends, and they make delicious wood-fired pizzas as well as desserts.
They only open a couple days a week, so you have to check whether they are open before going. You’ll have to look it up, I'm not allowed by Airbnb to share the link... They post the special pizzas and desserts.
They are mobile so the location changes.
Owhiwa Road, Parua Bay, ニュージーランド
Owhwia Road Pizza is run by our friends, and they make delicious wood-fired pizzas as well as desserts.
They only open a couple days a week, so you have to check whether they are open before going. You’ll have to look it up, I'm not allowed by Airbnb to share the link... They post the special pizzas and desserts.
They are mobile so the location changes.
This restaurant is in the Hundertwasser Art Center. It is a little pricey, but everything we ate was delicious! We especially enjoyed the rib eye and the BBQ pork. The inside of the restaurant is as funky and cool as the outside. Great for a special night out.
Aqua Restaurant and Bar (In the Hundertwasser Art Centre)
This restaurant is in the Hundertwasser Art Center. It is a little pricey, but everything we ate was delicious! We especially enjoyed the rib eye and the BBQ pork. The inside of the restaurant is as funky and cool as the outside. Great for a special night out.
A new-ish restaurant in town, they have an awesome Asian-inspired menu with really fun burgers like soft-shell crab and kim chi. Last time I checked (Sept 2022), they had a $20 burger and beer/wine lunch special. They also have delicious and fun drinks, with a cocktail on tap.
Astroboy NZ
A new-ish restaurant in town, they have an awesome Asian-inspired menu with really fun burgers like soft-shell crab and kim chi. Last time I checked (Sept 2022), they had a $20 burger and beer/wine lunch special. They also have delicious and fun drinks, with a cocktail on tap.
Sightseeing
The caves are on the way to town, then up into the hills. There are signs, and it should be marked on maps. You park on the road and walk along a path to three different caves.
To be honest, I was surprised how much I liked going here. The walk is really nice, with lots of cool rocks and views. The caves are all great- be prepared for climbing. There are glow worms in all 3. You definitely need a torch, and don't go after heavy rains. There is water in the caves, so we all took our shoes off. We went all the way through the second cave, and climbed vertically to get out (it took 3 of us to pass the kids).
The conditions change a lot, so just be careful and use common sense. It's slippery and water levels can be quite high. This is easily a 2 or 3 hour trip, maybe longer if you really like caves.
I would not recommend doing this alone. Just in case, you never know.
It takes about 25 minutes to get to the starting point.
27 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Abbey Caves
The caves are on the way to town, then up into the hills. There are signs, and it should be marked on maps. You park on the road and walk along a path to three different caves.
To be honest, I was surprised how much I liked going here. The walk is really nice, with lots of cool rocks and views. The caves are all great- be prepared for climbing. There are glow worms in all 3. You definitely need a torch, and don't go after heavy rains. There is water in the caves, so we all took our shoes off. We went all the way through the second cave, and climbed vertically to get out (it took 3 of us to pass the kids).
The conditions change a lot, so just be careful and use common sense. It's slippery and water levels can be quite high. This is easily a 2 or 3 hour trip, maybe longer if you really like caves.
I would not recommend doing this alone. Just in case, you never know.
It takes about 25 minutes to get to the starting point.
Whangarei falls are really short walk from the parking lot (there's a bathroom there). You can see the top of the falls before you start on a short loop that takes you to the pool at the bottom of the falls. From there, you can climb back up to your car. Or you can continue along the river and connect to the network of trails that run through town. It's really pretty. You can walk all the way to the town basin if you are ambitious (I've never done that, but I have walked to the next trailhead before turning back).
63 現地メンバーのおすすめ
ファンガレイの滝
6 Ngunguru RdWhangarei falls are really short walk from the parking lot (there's a bathroom there). You can see the top of the falls before you start on a short loop that takes you to the pool at the bottom of the falls. From there, you can climb back up to your car. Or you can continue along the river and connect to the network of trails that run through town. It's really pretty. You can walk all the way to the town basin if you are ambitious (I've never done that, but I have walked to the next trailhead before turning back).
The loop trail passes by here; you will find shops and restaurants and the new Hundterwasser Art Center. There is also a free art gallery, the Claphams National Clock Museum (and a really cool working clock sculpture), and a brand new playground. The Hundterwasser Art Center opened in February 2022. They also added a play area just before the canopy bridge with a slack line and splash pad for the kids (and kids at heart).
https://www.hundertwasserartcentre.co.nz
36 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Town Basin Marina Village
QuaysideThe loop trail passes by here; you will find shops and restaurants and the new Hundterwasser Art Center. There is also a free art gallery, the Claphams National Clock Museum (and a really cool working clock sculpture), and a brand new playground. The Hundterwasser Art Center opened in February 2022. They also added a play area just before the canopy bridge with a slack line and splash pad for the kids (and kids at heart).
https://www.hundertwasserartcentre.co.nz
This is a very cool building, and right along the town basin loop. There is a good restaurant, an art gallery, and is close to everything in town.
Hundertwasser Art Centre with Wairau Māori Art Gallery
This is a very cool building, and right along the town basin loop. There is a good restaurant, an art gallery, and is close to everything in town.
Activities
If you're into mountain biking, this is the place for you. They also have monster scooters and forest paintball. It's really fun, and for me, borderline scary! You can put your little ones (from around 5 years old) in front of you on the scooter if they aren't old enough to ride on their own.
It is about 12 minutes from the house, just before Onerahi.
https://headsupadventures.co.nz
11 現地メンバーのおすすめ
HeadsUp Adventures
189 Whangarei Heads RdIf you're into mountain biking, this is the place for you. They also have monster scooters and forest paintball. It's really fun, and for me, borderline scary! You can put your little ones (from around 5 years old) in front of you on the scooter if they aren't old enough to ride on their own.
It is about 12 minutes from the house, just before Onerahi.
https://headsupadventures.co.nz
A fun walk in the trees with many options, from low ropes for the little ones to ziplines way up off the ground. They give you an orientation to their safety system, which allows you to move around the park on your own, without need anyone to spot you (except when you climb up to the starting platform on some of the higher ones).
I recommend that you call and make a reservation. It's about 35 minutes from the house.
https://adventureforest.co.nz
12 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Adventure Forest
160 Maruata RdA fun walk in the trees with many options, from low ropes for the little ones to ziplines way up off the ground. They give you an orientation to their safety system, which allows you to move around the park on your own, without need anyone to spot you (except when you climb up to the starting platform on some of the higher ones).
I recommend that you call and make a reservation. It's about 35 minutes from the house.
https://adventureforest.co.nz
Twilight Bowls on Fridays (starts between 5 and 6) is a fun way to spend the evening. There's a bar -$5 drinks- and they will loan you a set of bowls. $2 per player. The location is right next to the Community Center. They share a parking lot. You can't miss it.
The members are really friendly and will help you get started. There is a big field for the kids to play, or they have kids bowls.
It's not for everyone, but I really enjoy it!
They also have bingo on the first Thursday of the month at 7 pm. Just sayin'
Parua bay Community Centre
1347 Whangarei Heads RoadTwilight Bowls on Fridays (starts between 5 and 6) is a fun way to spend the evening. There's a bar -$5 drinks- and they will loan you a set of bowls. $2 per player. The location is right next to the Community Center. They share a parking lot. You can't miss it.
The members are really friendly and will help you get started. There is a big field for the kids to play, or they have kids bowls.
It's not for everyone, but I really enjoy it!
They also have bingo on the first Thursday of the month at 7 pm. Just sayin'
This is a seriously awesome pump track! There are 2 bowls with quite a bit of variety; there is something for everyone if you have basic skills. It is good for skateboards, scooters, and bikes, and I have seen a couple of people tearing it up on roller skates.
If you are a real beginner, it will be absolutely terrifying, and in that case, there is a 400 m loop around the BMZ track that is absolutely PERFECT for learning to skateboard, ride a bike, scoot, whatever you have on wheels. It is smooth, wide, and not super steep.
You can often even get it to yourself. I really recommend this place if this is what you're into!
ポーヘ・アイランド・パンプ・トラック
This is a seriously awesome pump track! There are 2 bowls with quite a bit of variety; there is something for everyone if you have basic skills. It is good for skateboards, scooters, and bikes, and I have seen a couple of people tearing it up on roller skates.
If you are a real beginner, it will be absolutely terrifying, and in that case, there is a 400 m loop around the BMZ track that is absolutely PERFECT for learning to skateboard, ride a bike, scoot, whatever you have on wheels. It is smooth, wide, and not super steep.
You can often even get it to yourself. I really recommend this place if this is what you're into!
This is a really cool place to check out in town; I believe the whole thing was planted by volunteers. There is a great cafe there. Gold coin donation.
Quarry Gardens Waterfalls
This is a really cool place to check out in town; I believe the whole thing was planted by volunteers. There is a great cafe there. Gold coin donation.