With abundant marine life and great visibility, it’s easy to see why Northland’s dive sites are world-renowned. There’s so much you’ll want to explore, and we’ve pulled together some of the highlights you won’t want to miss.

There are many surf beaches around Whangārei City, close to the Port Nikau marina. If you’re just learning or already a seasoned surfer, we have the best spots for you to visit!

Here’s our round-up of the best places in town to grab a drink with friends, meet locals, and listen to some tunes. New events and venues pop up all the time, but we think these spots are the most reliable for scheduling regular events.

There’s a good selection of places to eat in town including all the usual fast food joints, which you’ll find as you’re travelling around. To help make your search a little easier, we’ve pulled together a list of some local favourites where you’ll find delicious authentic cuisine from around the world, including plenty of amazing vegetarian and vegan options.

From market days to shops and restaurants, we’ve drawn up a list of the must-visit places to get fresh and tasty local kai. And just so you have something to wash it all down with, we’ve thrown in a few local drinks businesses too.

Whangārei is home to plenty of coffee lovers and the city has plenty of great cafes for a catch-up with friends or to meet the locals. Here are a few options to get started as you work your way around the city, looking for the most flavourful coffees in town.

There’s no better way to spend the day than exploring the natural beauty of Northland. These walks take you through native bush, past historical Māori pā sites and waterfalls, and onto secluded beaches with picture-perfect views you won’t want to miss.

Whangārei is renowned for its awesome swimming beaches which are a great way to cool off and see some of our amazing coastline in the summer months (or even during winter!) While there are 100 beaches in the district, we’ve chosen our favourites within a 40 minute drive.