Top Tourist Places To Visit in Whangarei

Whangarei
New Zealand

Country New Zealand.
Currency New Zealand dollar (NZ$).
Region Northland.
Geographic Coordination 35° 43' 0" S, 174° 18' 0" E.
Population 51,100 (June 2008 estimate).

Nearby Places

Whangarei Overview

Whangarei, is the northernmost city in New Zealand and the regional capital of Northland Region. Although it is commonly classified as a city, officially it is under the jurisdiction of the Whangarei District Council, a local body created in 1989 to administer both the city proper and its hinterland.

The city population was estimated to be 51,100 at the June 2008 estimate, up from 47,400 in 2001.

The Whangarei urban area includes the suburbs of Kamo, Tikipunga, Otangarei, Mairtown, Riverside, Sherwood Rise, Onerahi, Morningside, Raumanga, Parihaka, Maunu, Horahora, Woodhill, Vinetown, The Regent, Kensington, and Whau Valley.

Climate and Geography

Whangarei has a subtropical climate and very few frosts.

Suitable Visiting Seasons ( months) : Throughout the year.

Transportation

∗ Bus and Coach : - Adams Bus Services operate City Link bus services Monday - Saturday as well as the Summer Beach Bus and Midnight Movers Nightlife Services.

∗ Cycling : - For an adventurous tour, explore Whangarei's natural beauty, stunning coastlines and temperate climate on a bike.

∗ Taxi : - A choice of local taxis is available, providing transport around Whangarei district and meeting scheduled flights at the airport.

∗ Rental Cars : - Rental cars are available from central Whangarei and Whangarei airport. One way hire may be available in some instances � check when you make your enquiry. You will need to be at least 21 years of age to rent a vehicle and possess a current driver's licence or international driving permit.

Getting Around :

√ By Road

Whangarei is just 160km or two hours north of Auckland. State Highway One is a scenic route north with stunning views at the entrance to the district from the Brynderwyn range, or follow the Twin Coast Discovery Highway from Kaiwaka which leads via the idyllic coastal beaches of Langs Beach and Waipu Cove.

√ By Air

Whangarei Airport is a domestic airport with daily scheduled flights to and from Auckland and Wellington airports. There are also charter operators offering helicopter and fixed wing flights around the region.

√ By Sea

While there are no scheduled passenger shipping services, for international yachties Whangarei is a popular port of entry to the country.

Shopping and Entertainment

At the Quayside Town Basin in Whangarei, there's a boat marina surrounded by restaurants, cafes and shops the perfect spot to relax for an afternoon. There are also a number of beauty spas where you can while away the hours with a little pampering. There are also a number of galleries specializing in New Zealand, Maori and Pacific art and crafts, as well as handcrafted jewellery, ceramics, glass and paintings. There's also a multiplex cinema in Whangarei, if you/re keen to keep up with the latest blockbusters.

Entertainment : Whangarei has entertainment attractions to suit all tastes and budgets including theatre, opera, music, concerts, family shows, free events, movies, nightlife, pubs, casinos, gambling and horse racing. Nightlife : - Lively DJ and band scenes, particularly in the larger cities, have given New Zealand's night life a renewed vibrancy. You will find a variety of night-clubs, cabarets, pubs, concerts and live performances to choose from, and there are also four casinos, in Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown. Arts and Culture : - Whangarei is a hub of arts and crafts, with many different art galleries offering something very different, from jewellery to paintings, weaving, glass and ceramics. The Quarry Arts Centre operates workshops and classes or head to the Community Arts Centre for local art in a beautiful Art Deco building. The Whangarei Art Museum is another interesting display of local art or visit the famous Claphams Clock Museum and blow your mind with the tick-tock of 1,400 clocks!