The Town Basin
The Town Basin precinct is an international yachting community hub. This water-side area is a beautiful, relaxing destination with cafes and restaurants, craft and art galleries, museums, specialty shops and fantastic children’s playgrounds. Enjoy frequent markets and events amidst the ever-changing scenery of boats, people, birds and animals.
The Hundertwasser Art Centre celebrates painter, architect, ecologist and visionary Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Visitors can enjoy multiple spaces including: the Hundertwasser in New Zealand 1973-2000 exhibition with original artworks, tapestries, ecological work and architectural models. On top of the building is the award-winning Afforested Roof with the golden cupola which visitors can climb to gain sweeping views of the Hātea River and the Whangārei cityscape. The Centre also houses a small film theatre, MuseumShop and Café-Restaurant.
Te Huarewa Toi Wairau Māori - Wairau Maōri Art Gallery is home to the finest examples of contemporary Maōri art and is designed to promote and enhance Te Ao Maōri. It is the first unique and dedicated public Māori Art Gallery in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The Whangārei Art Museum is permanent home for the city's art collection and embraces both heritage and contemporary artwork.
Claphams National Clock Museum has the largest collection of timepieces in the Southern Hemisphere; be surprised and delighted by many unique and fun clocks. The Rolling Ball Clock is a unique sculpture using 35 balls running on tracks that perform various physical motions like banked corners and loop the loop as well as telling the time.
Reyburn House Art Gallery in an Historic Home, surrounded by gardens with heritage roses, and belongs to the Northland Society of Arts which has frequent exhibitions by New Zealand artists.
The Hīhīaua Cultural Centre is the manifestation of the wish of local elders to reclaim, restore and renew Māori arts and culture. Out of their vision has risen what is now an award-winning architectural workshop, gallery and retail space filled with an eclectic exhibition of authentic Māori art and unique local creations from nationally renowned artists. Also enjoy frequent events, performances and learning experiences at this very special place of cross-cultural awareness and understanding.
The fully accessible 4.2 km Hātea Loop - Huarahi o te Whai walkway loops around the upper Whangārei Harbour. Along the way, enjoy the Sculpture Trail featuring works by local artists and read the fascinating history of the area on the Heritage Panels. See the the impressive, international award-winning ‘Te Matau a Pohe’ bascule bridge open everyday at noon. Discover magic inside the Timatatanga Hou / Camera Obscura.
The Adventure Playground is an exciting destination play experience for all ages, featuring climbing structures, slides and swings, a large sandpit, a flying fox, toilets and plenty of space to run around. The park is along the Hātea Loop on the east side of the river, or drive to Pohe Island Road where there is plenty of parking.