If you’re heading up to Kerikeri or further afield in the Northland area, make sure to put Whangarei on your itinerary. There are a number of interesting things to see from one of the most extraordinary buildings in New Zealand, hikes, an art centre in a quarry to name a few.

Hundertwasser Art Centre

 

From a simple drawing over 30 years ago the Hundertwasser Art Centre was opened in 2022. Hundertwasser suggested it should have a green roof, a gold dome and located at the marina. With two columns at the front of the building one european and one Maori. It wasn’t without controversy, originally supported by local councils it was then unsupported. Without the community support the art centre wouldn’t have been built.

 

 

The art centre celebrates Friedensreich Hundertwasser and contemporary Maori Artists and contains over 40 of his architectural projects.

“The Hundertwasser Art Centre is a bastion against the dictatorship of the geometric-straight line, the ruler and T-square, a bridgehead against the grid system and the chaos of the absurd.” Hundertwasser Art Centre

 

Right from the moment I saw the art centre it bought a smile to my face. The colours, the uneven lines, the fun of it all  and as soon as you step inside the you’re greeted with a mosaic tiles and things that aren’t quite straight,

Inside, the gallery showcases Hundertwasser’s prints and paintings, and his work is just as bold and joyful as the building itself. Make sure to take the stairs up to the roof with its golden dome and garden with a wonderful view of the basin. Make sure to visit the restrooms too as the art continues in there too.

 

Quick Tips – Hundertwasser Art Centre

Location: 81 Dent Street, Town Basin
Hours: Open 7 days, 10am – 4pm (closed Christmas Day and Good Friday)
Entry – purchase online or at the door
Guided tours available Thursday – Sunday at 11am (additional cost)
Cafe on site:  Aqua Restaurant overlooks the marina
Time to allow: Allow at least 1.5 – 2 hours

Rolling Ball Clock

While you’re at the Town Basin, check out the Rolling Ball Clock. The clock tells the time using 35 balls, which display the time on a series of timing racks showing hours, minutes and seconds. If you have time you could visit the Clock Museum too.

Quarry Arts Centre

A short drive away on Selwyn Avenue, the Quarry Arts Centre is located in an old stone quarry and operates as a community hub for local potters and artists. Exhibitions and events along with art workshops are held at the centre. It has a nice relaxed atmosphere worth a wander if you enjoy seeing working creative spaces.

Quick Tips – Quarry Arts Centre

Location: 21 Selwyn Ave Whangarei
Hours: Gallery & Shop open Monday – Saturday 9.30am – 4.30pm closed public holidays
Amber’s Kitchen: cafe on site, open Tuesday – Friday 10am – 2pm open for some events on Saturday
Parking:  On-site parking available
Good to Know: About a 5 – 10 minute drive from the Town Basin

Walks, Hikes & Falls

Whangarei Falls

Whangarei falls is about a ten minute drive from the city centre.  The falls drop 26 metres over an ancient basalt lava flow into a beautiful bush-fringed pool. You can view it from the top platforms just a two-minute walk from the car park, or take the loop track down to the base to feel the mist and look up at the full force of the water. It’s a peaceful spot that feels miles away from the city.

Quick Tips – Whangarei Falls

Entry: Free to visit
Parking: Free car park and toilets at the entrance off Boundary Road
Walk:To base of waterfall via loop track around 1km, takes 30 – 45 minutes
Viewing Platforms: at the top are a two-minute walk from the car park
Good to Know: Track can be slippery after rain – wear good shoes

Raumanga Scenic Reserve & Waterfall

In search of another waterfall I went to Raumanga Scenic Reserve. I entered from further up Raumanga Valley Road though you can walk up from the playground closer to the start of Raumanga Valley Road.

As I visited in summer the waterfall probably would have been more visible in winter or after a heavy fall of rain.
There is not a viewpoint for taking  photos of the falls you need to peer through the trees. Or walk on an unmarked path to the left of the falls where there is a large swimming hole. If feeling adventurous you could climb down the bank.

Quick Tips Raumanga Scenic Reserve

Entry: near 154 Raumanga Valley Road or park near Raumanga Scenic Reserve Playground
Parking:Street Parking
Time: approx 20 minutes to falls
Good to Know: A shared pathway runs from the reserve to the library on Rust Avenue

A.H. Reed Memorial Kauri Park

If you are looking to view some Kauri trees then head to the A H Reed Memorial Kauri Park it is about a 10 minute drive from Whangarei. Named after Arthur Henry Reed who was a publisher and conservationist in the Northland region, he was instrumental in preserving the Kauri trees.

Canopy Walk

Located on Whareroa Road A H Reed Memorial Park is a remnant of an original kauri forest. Located at the park are a number of walks, including a canopy walk through the bush and over a stream via a boardwalk. The elevated walkway gives you a different perspective while viewing mature kauri trees. The Wai Karomioko stream runs through the park.

 

To get there from the car park head across the bridge onto The Alexander Walk then turn left where the path divides onto the walkway. You can head back to the car park via Elizabeth Track or take the Mckinnon track to the Paranui Falls.

Paranui Falls

There are a lot of steps to the falls and apparently two viewpoints though I think one was closed at the time of my visit. As there hadn’t been much rain, the falls were not that spectacular. If you park on Clapham Road there’s a shorter walk to the top of the falls, about 150m.

 

Quick Tips – A. H. Reed Memorial Park

Location:199 Whareora Road Tikipunga, 3 car parks
Entry: Free
Open: year round daylight hours
Time: to Canopy walkway return approx 15-20 minutes, Paranui Falls loop approx 1hr return
Good to Know: Please check to see if open, at time of writing the park was closed due to Kauri protection

Mair Park

If you are looking for another place to explore then check out Mair Park. The park is located on Rurumoki Street and is in a native bush gully beside the Hatea River. There is a playground, public toilets and BBQ area at the park which is located beside the Hatea River.

Mair Park is part of the Hatea River walkway so you could also walk from the city centre to Mair Park and onwards to Whangarei Falls.

Mount Parihaka can also be accessed from Mair Park and Drummond Track which gives a great view over the city. I didnt head up the Mount this time but had previously done so, via Ross Track.

Gardens

Whangarei Quarry Gardens

Formally a quarry, the gardens are a community garden project. The works have been undertaken by volunteers with help from supporting companies and other groups that had an interest in the establishment of the gardens. Its a subtropical oasis.

 

There are a number of different gardens within the garden, including a bromeliad garden and the fragrant camellia collection. With a majority of the site covered by native forest you will often see a number of native birds.

Quick Tips – Whangarei Quarry Gardens

Location: 37a Russell Road Kensington Whangarei
Open: 9-5pm 7 days a week (except for public holidays)
Entry: by donation (suggested $10)
Cafe: Quail Cafe 9am-3pm Wednesday to Sunday
Time to view: Approximately 1 hour minimum, guided walking tour also available
More information: can be found at Whangarei Gardens

Final Thoughts on Things to see in Whangarei

Whangarei certainly has a variety of things to see and do, from art, to gardens and walks. I’m sure there is more that I didn’t get to see and if you’ve visited and I missed something I would love to know so I can check it out next time.

As already mentioned I did go opshopping so if you love finding a bargain make sure to have a read. I did manage to do a couple of walks at Whangarei Heads so keep an look out for that blog.