Whangārei Falls is absolutely beautiful and so tranquil. There are plenty of picnic tables to sit and enjoy the view, and a small hiking trail that makes the visit even more special. You must add it to your trip. It’s a place not to be missed!

This was much prettier than I was expecting. The trail down to the waterfall is beautiful. It was a struggle for my 69yr old father but he did it. The waterfall is available to be viewed from several different areas. Bathrooms on site and well maintained

Really nice walk down and back. Great set of water falls very majestic. The trees and flauna smell amazing. The tree over the bridge stops right after the brige is also a highlight.

This is a beautiful park equipped with tables and chairs for resting or enjoying a meal, as well as clean restroom facilities. Following the winding pathway downhill for approximately 15 minutes will lead you to the waterfall. The cascade resembles a curtain of beads, with droplets falling gracefully like glistening pearls.

Whangarei Falls is an absolute gem, just a short drive from the city and super easy to get to. The waterfall itself is stunning, especially after rain when it's really flowing. Good parking, toilets, and picnic areas too. Definitely worth a stop if you're in the area!

Whangārei Falls is probably one of the easiest waterfalls to access in all of New Zealand. It only takes a couple of minutes to walk from the carpark to the lookout at the top, and about ten minutes to get down to the pool at the bottom. It’s a single-drop waterfall — not the most dramatic you’ll ever see, but definitely not underwhelming either. During the warmer months, you’ll often see people swimming in the pool, even though there are signs saying you shouldn’t. Some even jump from the top of the falls, and there are usually a few brave ones doing “tree jumps” from the big tree by the bridge above. On the way to the pool, after crossing the bridge, there’s a small forest area dedicated to the victims of the Christchurch attacks. It adds a quiet sense of reflection and humanity to the place. All in all, it’s a great spot for a casual weekend outing or a relaxing walk after work.

A beautiful and pleasant place. I loved that you can view the waterfall from different angles and even get really close. I recommend wearing sturdy shoes with non-slip soles.

A great place to spend spare time walking between the buildings and the boats. Colourful and vibrant with tourists looking at the sights and buying food. I expected the food at the restaurant I chose to buy lunch at to cost more. Clapham's Clock Museum is a must-see. Well maintained public toilets. Parking the car nearby can be a problem, some is pay parking, and some 2 hour.

A lovely children's playground plus walkway/path along river. Lots of shops and eateries to choose from. Art gallery and a separate hand blown glass shop/ showroom all free of charge. A clock gallery with lots of interesting clocks, there us a cover charge. Outdoor massive sun dial and a enclosed mechanical clock with moving parts and large balls that drop on the hour. Worth a visit. The boats, yatchs moored in the town basin makes this area special. As always some boat coming and going to watch.

Great waterfront walk. As short or long as you want.

Always pleasant to walk around our home marina, always clean busy with joggers, walkers etc. Great play area for the little ones. Only gripe would be a few teenagers ramming and throwing about shopping trolleys!!

Good variety of eating establishments. Great views. Really relaxing environment. Great out look onto the boats and marina. Kids playground nearby. Kick back and relax

We walked right around the basin. So many interactive things for the kids right around. Plus the Museum and ice cream shop. Awesome!

Magic spot on a sunny evening. Relaxed atmosphere, with lots of places to grab a drink, something to eat, or sit enjoy the views of the boats, harbour, hills and of course the new art gallery. Stroll onto toe children playground and Hatea Loop. Lots of parking, mobility parks and public toilets. Even a gass BBQ by the play ground.

If you like plants, then this is a must do. A great back story of self-help and community action bought to life in a post industrial setting. Some of the collections are world-class, and once you have admired the considerable handiwork of the team that run the place, the cafe is a very pleasant place to have a coffee or a light meal.

A lovely walk around these sub tropical gardens. Nice cafe too! Cyclone Gabrielle unfortunately took out the arid section, but the rest is beautiful.

So lovely here. Sadly damaged in some special areas from cyclone Gabrielle but it's coming back with lots of care and time. Definitely come back in the summer.

Great place to unwind, enjoy the scenic walk and plenty of photo opportunities with various stunning looking flowers, for a $10 donation entry, it’s well worth it A+

The café is pretty good to have a coffee and something to eat, but if you want, grab a takeaway coffee and go for a wonder around the gardens. Absolutely spectacular. I only get there a couple of times a year but love walking through the gardens. Very peaceful setting by the lake and the walk, checking out the gardens, is very relaxing. A must visit.

Great outdoor activity to do by yourself or with others. Grounds are well looked after by the amazing volunteers, beautiful assortments. Plenty of rest areas and photo spots.

Old quarry in the valley that was converted to gardens. Some beautiful botanical specimens. walking tour, lovely sandwich, tea and coffee shop. Tour guides very knowledgeable.

Went at the 3pm feeding time, what an amazing experience seeing the kiwi & learning everyone's queries by the love staff member who feeds him & the 2 lovely ladies at reception were very helpful & explained all regulations with absolute kindness. The museum had some awesome artifacts. My favorite was seeing a complete skeleton of the Moa. Because we went so late in the day we unfortunately missed out on the train rides but overall an awesome experience.

Loved it here! They feed the kiwi at 11am. Make sure you arrive early so your eyes can get used to the darkness first. The carer was super nice as well and answered all my questions. They also have a moa skeleton in the museum part, super interesting! You could spend a lot of time o the premises, it wouldn't get boring. Also a cute little gift shop in the front!

Wonderful place to learn all about the kiwi, with an opportunity to see one in the Kiwi House. There is also a heritage park with some interesting buildings (including an old women's jailhouse!) as well as the history and culture of Whangarei in the museum. There is also a bird rehabilitation sanctuary who do amazing work. Everyone was really friendly (Max, Erin, the lady who was the Kiwi expert, and the ladies on the front desk) and knowledgeable - it was really nice to speak to them. I would definitely recommend visiting, it's a worthwhile cause to support :)

We had a really lovely time here. The lady on the front desk gave us loads of recommendations of what to do in the local area and the ranger was amazing. He answered so many questions, tried to help us find all the animals and was so polite. Very informative and friendly, he really knew his stuff! We weren’t allowed to take pictures in the Kiwi room but we spent 20+ minutes watching him run around the enclosure. He even pecked at the window right by our faces! 🥹

It was my lucky day! I arrived around 10 a.m., at the same time that the single kiwi was being fed. The attendant then joined us in the viewing area to answer any questions we had. Did see the kiwi running about the darkened enclosure hunting for food - invertebrates. Additional enclosures with geckos and locusts. Large grounds with various exhibits plus a museum. All this for $25 (adult). Perhaps check in advance of your visit to confirm the feeding time(s).

Checked out the kiwi they had, best time is feeding time 11am or 3pm, have to let your eyes adjust for at least 5 minutes, took kids to the miniature trains, loved it, also big steam train everyone can climb aboard, runs I think every 3rd Sunday, well worth it, good family day.

I visited this Museum in Whangārei and it was truly impressed by the variety of historical artifacts and exhibits. I especially enjoyed seeing the preserved animals, insect species, and even a kiwi bird display. It’s a great place to explore local history, nature, and culture all in one visit!

Loved staying in this comfortable accommodation with superb catering provided with an extra cost The te whara (bream Head ) trail is a challenging scenic 5 hour hike but well worth it and the swims at ocean beach were appreciated after our walks The busby head and smugglers cove walks are easy by comparison

We had the most wonderful three days at Bream Coast Head Walks. The lodge was immaculate and so incredibly cosy and relaxing and the care from Claire was incredible. Claire set us up with up to date information about the walk options and even delivered us to the walks and picked us up afterwards! Extra touches like sweet, juicy watermelon after a hot day completed the care package! The food was exquisite and we ate every meal in the outdoor setting together. So many laughs, deep chats and a shared sense of adventure. The walks were challenging but do-able for a group of 40 something mums. I could not recommend this more - if in doubt, just book it in and bring a group of fun friends - it will make life time memories and some spectacular photos of the stunning views from on top the local mountains!

An amazing place even with bad weather! Great food, accommodation and help from Claire the host. During our stay of 2 nights we enjoyed wonderful meals including pre dinner nibbles, lunches and desserts. Claire makes it so easy for us to enjoy the meals with minimal preparation. Our group of 11 wanted to split into half and go on 2 different walks. Claire was more than helpful and dropped the 2 groups to different places at different times. You won't be disappointed walking in this region and staying at Claire's lodge....

The walk was amazing, specially the Smugglers Bay. So so.. beautiful. Putting the links to my High quality Vlogs that i made there for your reference- https://youtu.be/7dlu4vL7byE https://youtu.be/sRgtkAP8xjI https://youtu.be/UWdkIL1I40Y https://youtu.be/gsuKkxUixHw https://youtu.be/Bi9LwBEYr64

Outstanding made doubly pleasurable staying at the Lodge and the pleasure of being well catered for, in every conceivable way, by our wonderful hostess Claire. What a gem. Nothing a problem, the meals, every morsel a taste sensation. Claire's knowledge and instruction excellent, her sense of fun infectious softening the blow when being dropped in the pouring rain at the at Bream Head Range Smugglers Bay Track. The day entire truly a memorable experience. Thank you. 🌹

Bream Head Coastal Walk, the scenery, accomodation and food to die for exceeded our expectations. Claire is highly professional, friendly and offered good advice when needed. We thoroughly enjoyed interacting with the 2 other couples who were on the same page as us. Claire showed excellent leadership and caring support when one of our group was injured. We thank you for that Claire. Cheers Mel Charlie

I hike in 2015 and I'm still dreaming about it. The food was better than any 5 star restaurant. The views were amazing to have a beach all to yourself for miles were incredible. im not sure what was better the hike or coming back and soaking in the tub and having an amazing dinner. Finally the host went above and beyond. I forgot my sleep bag and she provided me blankets. One day after a hot hike she picked me up and had a popsicle waiting for me. She had no problem letting me stay longer when my surfing trip was canceled. The fact that one person on here gave them a score of a 1 makes me sick. I can only assume it was by mistake

No matter what age this is a fun experience for all. Great firm, calm, instructions and guidance from the owners. A good range of “runs” to try based on your height. The BEST and most wonderful thing to see is the confidence and pride seen in those who try and succeed from the youngest child to an older less confident person. Great place to go with mates or office/work team.

We took our 3 1/2 and 7 year old girls here with some family and had a great time. The French management with their obvious attention to families as well as adult clientele was heartening. The hardware was top quality, well maintained, as well as the supplied harnesses and helmets. The permanent harness tether was a great system which I had not used before. There are simple long drop style toilets, picnic benches and lots of cool shade perfect on the hot sunny day when we were there. The Black Stump Cafe on the main road nearby is a good spot for lunch with good coffee and fresh produce available. I will definitely recommend this place to others. It caters well to all ages. My two year old nephew right up to grandparents found a challenge to suit their abilities.

We went here for a school camp trip and wow! Such a great place. Well at up and courses that challenge at all levels. The staff were wonderful and super encouraging for those who were struggling. They're there to bail you out too if needed. Forrest is a treat in itself. The bird life and the towering trees were breathtaking. Tucked up in a secluded area you really did feel like you were in a world of you own. I can't wait to go back

Great staff, great design and a beautiful setting make this a fantastic destination. The staff were friendly and engaging, and the rope courses were very well designed, catering to everyone from 2 year olds and up. The car park is small, but bookings are essential to take part so parking isn’t really an issue. There are port-a-loo style toilet facilities, and you will need to bring your own drinks and snacks.

All participants had a brilliant time. The initial tuition was thorough and everyone felt safe. A great place to visit if living in or visiting Whangarei. I do recommend booking in advance as groups that hadn't were being turned away. The picnic tables need some maintenance but everything else was perfect.

We visited the Adventure Forest on our way back to Auckland from our short stay in Bay of Islands. This place is AWESOME!!! Our girls had an absolute blast and the time and money spend there was absolutely worth it. Park was designed well and super easy to follow. Our girls mentioned that it was one of their highlights from our entire trip. Definitely go there again when we visit the area!

Great day out with the kids - highly recommended. A mixture of nature, fear and exhilaration as each successive challenge is completed. The courses are set up for littlies to bigger kids by height and get harder as they progress, with most finishing with a zip line ride to the ground. We spent three hours here and thought the service and training was perfect. Will return again when the kids are taller for more high jinks.

A great walk, with fantastic views of the harbour and out to the Hen and Chicks, giving people a good idea of the chain of ancient volcanics. DoC workers have done an incredible job in creating access to the Manaia summit. It is a steep and energetic walk. My only disappointment is that the information at the base of the walk is now illegible: Sun and weather have blacked out what could be interesting and worthwhile information for visitors from NZ and further afield.

If you like a step workout this is the perfect walk/hike for you. A great walking track with over 1100 steps. Amazing trees to distract you from the number of steps and great views. Definitely worth the effort.

The view is absolutely worth it! The trail is well-maintained but quite steep. It took me about 1 hour up, 15 minutes at the top, and 30-45 minutes back down. The path runs mostly through the forest, so there’s plenty of shade, but it’s quite windy at the top.

Absolutely stunning! The walking and the 1,153 stairs (according to my wife) is well worth the view. We even saw a little Kiwi on our way back down which was a buzz! Heaps of kererū, tūī, pīwakawaka, bugs, and mushrooms. We also managed to spot a miromiro (tomtit), and a riroriro (grey warbler). Plenty to see if the stairs are killing ya! If you're from Auckland, you could think of the climb as Camp Sladdin plus haha.

Such an amazing walk, surrounded by native bush in the shade almost the whole time. Easy walk up if your fit! The view at the top is amazing and so worth it although the wind is incredible so don't expect to stay up there for lunch! Nice to have plenty of parking and toilets at the beginning of the track. Can be a difficult walk if your not so fit but worth doing anyway, just take plenty of rests 🤣. Plenty of man made steps all the way up so no slipping and sliding on the way down. Bring water and plenty of energy with you 😁👍 Enjoy the hot sweat on the way up and once at the top, experience the cold thrilling chill of the extreme wind but dont let it blow you off the top! There isn't many barriers to prevent this! The walking track is well maintained, they did a good job. Plenty of places on the way up where you can grab a awesome view in different directions. Almost 360 degree view at the top. Go for it! Bring your family & Friends and show them how fit you are! 🌳🚶‍♂️🥾

Do look out for the pothole on the left coming into the parking lot, couldn't see it from my car. See photo taken from the parking lot on 24 February 2025. Beautiful view and walk, worth the 1000 stairs.

Great views a top. 2 hours total return for average climbers. Very steep climbing and too many Steps built to reach to the top. Lookout point is tiny track on top through wooden platform. Take care as no guard rails. Super steep climb so be prepared. Hiking stick will be helpful.

I had a wonderful time on the Perfect Day. Equipment was great. The crew was outstanding. Wonderful safety practises. They fed us lunch, provided warm showers onboard, and took us through some amazing rock tunnels and caves on the return trip. They took pictures for us (still not clear on how we access them, but working on that). They were even flexible and accommodating with me just showing up a day early and changing my trip. I highly recommend this company.

We learned how to dive here over the past couple of days (Open Water Diver, PADI qualifications). It was honestly great! The entire staff was really helpful and supportive, the rides out to the Poor Knights Islands were so much fun and diving there was just magical! We saw amazing stuff (rays, hundreds of fish, we swam with a seal, saw dolphins while we were on the boat,...) and it is so great that we are now able to dive more often, awesome! Special shout-out to our instructor, Charlie! We had a blast during the courses and learnt a lot. It was amazing to feel totally safe in the water, even with 15 metres of seawater on top of us, thanks for that!

We went on the snorkelling cruise to the Poor Knights with 75 others. An exceedingly well organized young crew and captain were professional, safety minded, engaged and focused on everyone having a great safe time. A bucket list item executed to perfection. Well done company & crew.

Once again we visited Tutukaka and found an extremely professional partner in Dive Tutukaka for diving around the Poor Knight Islands. The base is super organized and the team is super friendly and helpful. There is good space on board the boats for equipment and to move around. We had a separate guide for our small group, which was perfect for being able to take photos in peace and yet experience a guided dive. We ordered a small lunch and were thrilled with the size and quality. Thanks for that. After each dive the captain took the boat between the islands and we were also in a large grotto. A great experience. Despite the fact that we were here in November, we saw eagle rays, stingrays, a small shark and a lot of fish. A great experience! We'll definitely be back! Thanks for the great service!

Great Dive company. Friendly and experts at what they do. Very modern and large boats ensure comfort and safety. I like that this is a dive company that insists on safety. Went out on a pretty rough day with heavy seas but dived in the calmer bays. After tropical diving getting used to a 7mm wetsuit was not easy as every movement heavier and of course more weights. Dive guide (to my shame I forgot his name) but dived in a dry suit with headband. Proffesional and personable. A pleasure to dive with. First dive was 60 minutes and while still plenty of air left it was a cold 19 degrees so time to get out. 2nd Dive was at middle arch and is a site not to be missed. I originally gave 4 stars but change to 5. My 4 was due to relatively high pricing but that's unfair as is NZ pricing. I would have loved a sunny warm day but that was not to be however I could not fault Dive Tutukaka at any point. Land staff excellent, Captains excellent, Equipment excellent and boats superb. Dive guides and boat crew proffesional and friendly and safety always checked. The Poor Knights is one of the World Dive sites not to be missed. And Dive Tutukaka is a great way to ensure a perfect day.

What an amazing diving experience from booking, to checking, to kitting out to on board briefings to great dive guides and crew on board. They are all so professional, welcoming, friendly and knowledgeable it could not have been better. I have dived all over the world and this probably my best days diving experience. I highly recommend this dive company. Throw in the Poor Knghts Islands as the backdrop and you have the makings of a perfect day. Thank you so much to you all.😀

An absolutely incredible diving experience! From start to finish, the team was professional, welcoming, and made me feel completely safe every step of the way. The crew were warm, inviting, and had a great sense of humor, which made the whole day relaxed and stress-free. Getting to dive the Poor Knights Islands was a dream – an awe-inspiring location with breathtaking underwater scenery. Couldn’t have asked for a better experience!

The Whangarei Clock Museum is a hidden gem! It has an impressive collection of antique and vintage clocks—each one with its own story. The staff are incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, making the visit even more enjoyable. You can easily explore the whole museum in about an hour, and it’s absolutely worth it. Highly recommended for anyone visiting the area.

This was a really pleasant way to spend some time (Sorry I did not intend to pun bit it slipped out) After looking at the Ball clock outside for ages going into the clock Museum was a forgone conclusion. The Ladies there were incredibly helpful. Knowing all sorts of things about clocks that were actually interesting. I did see a clock that my mum wants repairing and now I have a photo of what it should look like. The wrist Sundial was my favourite.

Cute museum showcasing lots of classic and old clocks and music box from 1900s. There is an entrance fee of $10 Clapham was a very inspiring man indeed with his passion for clocks and his collection.

Incredible clock collection and Joey was very helpful, friendly and shared many valuable information with us. She even showed each unique clock nd their interesting operations. Great experience.

Beautiful collection! Was fortunate to have curator Joey take us through some of the collection with her encyclopaedic knowledge. Will be back!

Lady at the front desk was very knowledgeable and was happy to share interesting bits and pieces of that knowledge with us. Seriously, I couldn't work there, the constant ticking would drive me crazy! An awesome display of clocks and time pieces from kids novelty to grandfather's and every imaginable thing in between. The museum has a clock hunt great for the kids, getting them invested to actually participate in the visit. We would definitely go back.

Such a charming and fascinating museum! The staff were very nice and welcoming—they even gave us a tour, which made the experience even more special.

This place is simply beautiful. Nature is the best therapy! There are nice options for both kids and adults! Feels funny to “review” an area of forest but still highly recommended!

AH Reed Memorial Park is a peaceful escape with towering kauri trees, lush native bush, and a lovely canopy walkway. The tracks are well-kept and easy for all ages, with streams and birdlife adding charm. A serene spot to connect with nature, perfect for a relaxing walk close to Whangārei Falls.

A lovely shady bush walk on a hot sunny day. Boards with a map explain the area. There is a shoe washing facility at the beginning of the trail to disinfect shoes and prevent the the spread of kauri tree dieback disease. A bridge takes you over a stream. The main bush hiking track is 3 hours one way, so we chose a short walk into the bush instead. The path is clearly visible. Different species of trees surround the path, and we noticed a tree with a branch that started growing one way and then changed its mind and curved back on itself; an amazing feature of nature.

Visited AH Reed Memorial Kauri Park River Walk and it was a peaceful and refreshing experience. The towering kauri trees, gentle river, and well-maintained paths made it a perfect nature walk.

Great place to relax and walk amidst nature ! The kauri trees are just amazing !

A really nice piece of native forest, and the canopy walkway is fantastic, allowing some great views. With a couple of Kauri and a waterfall, it's worth the trip. I walked up from the Mair Park section, and carried on up to Whangarei falls. That was a workout!

A beautiful forest walk. Lots of people enjoying the lovely weather, including some with their dogs in a no-dogs area. A bit steep on the north end, but manageable with lots of well-maintained stairs. I'm definitely planning on coming back regularly to enjoy the high boardwalk next to a couple of giant Kauri. It could probably benefit from a second set of bathrooms near the popular swimming area to help alleviate the terrible smells along parts of the shore.

I'm not a car person, so I was going to just send my husband and boys to enjoy, but then we snapped up a great deal on Book Me for a family pass so ... why not! I was so glad I went. The size of this place (spread over 6 sheds), and the sheer amount of stuff that was packed into each one was just amazing. And it's not just cars. There are vehicles of every type, something to keep everyone happy. Then all of the other side collections like lawnmowers, typewriters, irons, telephones .... every space filled with something different. We spent a couple of hours browsing, but could easily have stayed longer if we didn't have to be somewhere else. The only thing I thought was missing a bit was names/descriptions on the vehicles in the sheds across the back (for someone like me who needed a bit of an explanation). I understand that entry used to be by guided tour (so I imagine all of this extensive knowledge was shared this way), but in recent years you've been able to do self-guided tours. However, the staff were all really lovely and more than happy to chat and answer questions, so I'm sure if you had any burning questions they'd be able to help you out. Anyway, well worth the visit!

What a hidden gem! We spent nearly two hours at the museum and saw an amazing collections of vehicles and historical items. My son was especially fascinated by the red cross tank while my husband was particularly taken with the dragster which had recently been added to the museum. The staff and volunteers are friendly, helpful and knowledgable. It would be a fantastic place to get a larger group together and organise a guided tour. Very close to the Whangarei town centre and there’s a nice cafe right next to the museum. Definitely well worth the visit if you are heading north.

A hidden gem in the Northland area near Whangarei. Most of the cars, trucks, engines, tractors...on and on...we're not restored. But the variety of vehicles, not just Packards was amazing. The Studebakers were also there, to show what the merger of the two companies produced. I'll also give a shout out for The Office Cafe next door and their fabulous baked goods.

Great collection of machinery - motorcycles, cars, tracks, tractors... and several of odd small collections - from irons and lawnmowers, to phones and popato mashers 😁

What an absolutely amazing place!! I am a motorsport enthusiast and I was just blown away by the pieces of motoring history- both 2 and 4 wheeled!! There were also enough of non-automotive pieces of history such as musical, communication, sewing, kitchen implements and much more to keep my wife entertained as we traversed through the 5 huge sheds. It took us almost 4 hours to have our fill. Mel- the manager had a great personal touch and provided us with lots of information. Would definitely return here with my friends.

Very interesting place to visit with a variety of amazing vintage cars both restored and in the process. Fantastic selection of motorcycles, the highlight for me. A real blast from the past if you want to see some of the vehicles your mums and dads, or grand parents drove. Lovely guide too.

Mel is no passionate and full of information. He gave us an amazing introduction to the museum and then let us explore at our own speed. He was always available to answer questions and tell us stories of the past. If you are anything like me and love obscure history, this is the place for you. Even my 12 year listened to Mel in awe.

I can't wait for the Hundertwasser Arts Center, Whangarei. Looking forward to checking it out on my next trip up North. Hopefully it will be completed by then.

Nice place to walk and enjoy the cafe

Cool looking sculpture

(Translated by Google) It is certainly more impressive to see the finished Hundertwasser House. Currently it is just the beginning of a small tower in the typical Hundertwasser style. (Original) Es ist sicherlich beeindruckender das fertige Hundertwasser Haus zu sehen. Aktuell ist es nur der Ansatz von einem kleinen Türmchen im typischen Hundertwasser Stil.

(Translated by Google) Wonderful architecture and color (Original) Maravillosa arquitectura y colorido

A little dreary and dismal, could do with an update to be fair. Otherwise a tidy place with a load of helpful people and information. Public toilets, complete with hot showers - $3 for a token, 2 tokens max per person. Which gives you 5 minutes of hot water with INCREDIBLE pressure. Shower walls and ceiling could do with a decent chemical clean though. Playground and seating available with drinkable water at the fountain for both people and ya pets.

Very helpful staff - knowledgeable and helped me sort out my trip north. I highly recommend a visit here if you have any questions about what to see and do around Whangarei. The attached eatery, on the other hand, is worth giving a miss.

Seems they are actively trying to discourage visitors to this park area rather than accommodate them. I have been stopping with my dogs at this place my whole life as a half way pitstop heading north and suddenly I get aggressively approached by a security guard saying there is a dog ban. The only signage is on the building itself otherwise there is nothing to say this at the entry points or by the public dog water bowls still placed around the park! The toilets now being locked at night are also very inconvenient. The single 24hr all-use toilet smelt terrible and was filthy and actually felt dangerous to use as a lone female.

Very helpful and friendly staff, stopped at the cabbage tree 🌴 cafe for a feed and had the best brekkie. So affordable.

Went to the cafe, nice food. Nice staff. Security around. Felt safe ...

Very informative lady, plenty of parking. Heaps of souvenirs for anything you may need. Talked to Saehee about all our needs and she drew up a full itinerary for us. Highly appreciated! Heaps of maps, brochures and just everything. Joint to a cafe as well so you can flick through all the maps you just got. Would recommend if coming through Whangarei

Good spot to stop on the journey north, toilet facilities are pretty average, could be cleaner but also get a high foot traffic. The toilets do lock at night but there is a 24 hour toilet available

The Quarry Arts Centre is an interesting and eclectic place, brimming with creativity 👀 It is an artist commune, where artists from different genres and different mediums 😯 (ceramics, glass, wood, etc.) reside together at enclosed by bush covered walls of the old quarry. There are different gravel and unpaved tracks to follow, which will lead you to interesting garden art and sculptures 🗿surrounded by lush green bush🌲a flowing river, and an awesome waterfall near the back of the property. There are many artists busy at work, creating their next masterpiece 🖌 Some welcome a chat, while others are too immersed in their work. There is a cafe, a gift shop, a place to buy art supplies 🎨 and a dedicated gallery to the famous Yvonne Rust. They offer kids classes 👨‍🎨 holiday programmes, pottery, NZQA certified Diploma Courses, workshops, and online shopping 🖱 Although extremely interesting, it seems a bit dilapidated and in need of some TLC ❤

Great arts and guilds to be fair, and the kids will die if you don't know what to do with the cartoon dog from the tuzz for a bit. All in all the time and the want to go to the song with the cartoon dog from the tuzz to be fair on me a few years olds from India.

More for artists than tourists, but they do have a small gallery and cafe. Great studio spaces for local artists. Beautiful grounds with trailhead to trek into conserved forest area.

Interesting rocks and waterfall

Such a quirky, arty place, just vibing with creativity! I needed some advice on glazes and got the most helpful, friendly service. The team suggested firing my Mac’s Mud pottery (cone 5) with Amaco glazes, and it turned out amazing! Super happy with the results and really fair pricing too.

This place is definitely worth a visit if you like art. It is a community of live working artists, you can meet them, discuss their works. Its brilliant

A special artist village. A lot of enthusiastic people, the one more neat than the other. In the shop are nice things to buy, but bring a full wallet.