Information Centre

The Whangarei Information Centre is located at the southern entrance to the city at Tarewa Park. It offers a free booking service for transport, accommodation, tours and activities and also provides stamps, phonecards, maps, and souvenirs.

The complex also has a delightful café and is home to the Department of Conservation Visitor Centre offering information and advice on all DOC camp sites and walking tracks.

Hours:
Open everyday (except Christmas Day) 8.30am to 5.00pm weekdays
9.30am to 4.30pm weekends and public holidays.

Extended hours
December 27th to January 31st
8.30am to 6.30pm daily

Website: www.northland.org.nz
Phone: 64 9 438 1079
Fax: 64 9 438 2943

Diving & Fishing

The Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve is renowned as one of the worlds top dive locations. Further recreational diving is available on the artificial reef created off Tutukaka by the sunken frigates Tui and Waikato.

Excellent boat launching facilities available throughout the district, good shore fishing also. Big Game Fishing is exceptional in season (December to April) with record catches off the Tutukaka Coast.

Whangarei Falls Whangarei Falls is known as the most photogenic waterfall in New Zealand, dropping 25 metres into a beautiful bush-fringed pool. Located centrally at Tikipunga, 5km north east of the city.

Quayside Town Basin

In the heart of the city, a popular haven for international yachts, with an award winning waterfront development. Incorporates a renewed Claphams Clock collection, art galleries, shops, cafes and restaurants.

Shopping

The central shopping area is centered around The Strand, Quality Street, and the newly renovated Cameron Street Mall. Specialist boutiques to nationwide department stores all feature.

Whangarei Museum, Clarke Homestead & Kiwi House

The Exhibition Centre features relics of our European history and a fine collection of Maori artifacts. The Clarke Homestead was built in 1885 and remains a unique example of an original, unrestored homestead. The Kiwi House offers the opportunity to see our nocturnal and endangered Kiwi bird.

Mount Parahaka

Mount Parahaka towers 242 metres above the city and offers a superb panoramic view of the city and harbour. The summit can be reached by road, or by walkway from Mair Park.

Parks and Walkways

The district has abundant native forest and a great variety of marked trails to suit any age or fitness ability. Notable parks and walkways within the district are Mair Park, Parahaka Reserve, AH Reed Memorial Park (500 year old Kauri trees), Mount Manaia, Bream Head, Smugglers Cove, and Whale Bay. Abbey Caves are just a few minutes from the city centre, and offer an opportunity to discover extensive unspoiled limestone caves.

Beaches

Beautiful beaches are all within a 30-minute drive of the city - sparkling white sands of the Bream Bay and Tutukaka coastlines, or the tranquil beauty of Whangarei's deepwater harbour.

Whangarei District Council

Whangarei Service Centre Forum North Building
Rust Avenue
Whangarei
Phone (09) 430 4200
Fax (09) 438 7632
Website: www.wdc.govt.nz

Hours:
Monday to Friday
8.00am to 5.00pm

The Whangarei District Council has also has offices at Hikurangi and Ruakaka. All offices are able to accept bill payments and applications including building consents, PIM and LIM information, dog registrations etc. Each of the offices is connected to the main computer system so any information on your property, rates or water account can be obtained.

Cultural & Conference Centre

Centrally located Forum North is a community complex offering a superb theatre for local and visiting performing arts groups.

The conference and meeting rooms are available for hire to the general public for conferences, exhibitions, banquets and seminars.

Venue Manager:
Phone (09) 430 4244
Fax (09) 430 4212
or visit the Forum North Website for further information.