Whangarei Heads Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Whangarei Heads featuring a bay or harbour
Whangarei Heads which includes a sandy beach and general coastal views as well as a small group of people
Whangarei which includes a beach, a bay or harbour and mountains
Whangarei Heads which includes a lake or waterhole
Whangarei featuring a bay or harbour and a pebble beach

Enjoy natural harbor waters, climb rugged volcanic peaks or laze on a white surf beach surrounding this peaceful little town.

Whangarei Heads sits on the tip of a large spit of land that creates the outer edge of Whangarei Harbour. Offering both protected and open waters, soaring hills and rolling forest, the peninsula displays a smorgasbord of natural treats.

You’ll get to appreciate Whangarei Heads’ natural beauty even before you get there. As you drive along the scenic Whangarei Heads Road, you can take in the stunning harbor views and see the peaks at the tip of the peninsula come nearer.

Check out the great selection of watersports on offer. Head to the 3-mile (5-kilometer) white sands of Ocean Beach and ride the waves on a surfboard or boogie board. If you are not into surfing, just jump into the pristine waters to cool off. The sheltered bays offer calm waters for swimming and snorkeling and the coastal mangroves provide a scenic setting to kayak through.

Get a different perspective by heading up to the top of Whangarei Heads. Hike up the volcanic peak of Mount Manaia, which rises up to 1,378 feet (420 meters). As you reach the rocky outcrops, you start to get hints of the stunning views that await at the top. Large tree ferns line the way, providing shade. The summit offers panoramic views out over the Hen and Chicken Islands and the Bream Head Reserve.

Keep your hiking boots on to explore some of the other varied walks of the area as well. Try the Peach Cove Track to climb up Bream Head Ridge before dropping down into pretty Peach Cove. Smugglers Bay Loop Track is a nice easy walk for the whole family, with many interesting points along the way.

Whangarei Heads is a hidden gem in sub-tropical Northland. The nature and scenery alone is enough to keep you more than busy for a few days and the little settlement of Whangarei Heads has accommodations for all budgets. With some of nature’s finest tucked into this little peninsula, it would be a shame not to stay.

Distinction Whangarei Hotel & Conference Centre

Distinction Whangarei Hotel & Conference Centre

3 out of 5
9 Riverside Drive, Whangarei
Fully refundable
The price is ₹8,699 per night from 31 Jul to 1 Aug
₹8,699
₹10,073 total
31 Jul - 1 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Whangarei. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
7.6/10 Good! (538 reviews)
"Great venue"

Reviewed on 18 Jun 2025

Distinction Whangarei Hotel & Conference Centre
Kingswood Manor Motel

Kingswood Manor Motel

3.5 out of 5
260 Kamo Road, Whangarei, Northland
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹6,199 per night from 31 Jul to 1 Aug
₹6,199
₹7,243 total
31 Jul - 1 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Whangarei. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and room service. Popular attractions Whangarei Quarry Gardens and Whangarei Falls ...
8/10 Very Good! (493 reviews)
"Tidy older motel. Clean, bed was hard"

Reviewed on 6 Jul 2025

Kingswood Manor Motel
Continental Motel

Continental Motel

3.5 out of 5
67 Kamo Road, Kensington, Whangarei
The price is ₹7,730 per night from 19 Jul to 20 Jul
₹7,730
₹8,890 total
19 Jul - 20 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star motel in Whangarei. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Whangarei Quarry Gardens and Mair Park are ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (312 reviews)
"Amazing hotel, clean facility, everything works. Spa is great."

Reviewed on 7 Jul 2025

Continental Motel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Kingswood Manor Motel

Kingswood Manor Motel

3.5 out of 5
260 Kamo Road, Whangarei, Northland
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Whangarei. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and room service. Popular attractions Whangarei Quarry Gardens and Whangarei Falls ...
8/10 Very Good! (493 reviews)
"Tidy older motel. Clean, bed was hard"

Reviewed on 6 Jul 2025

Kingswood Manor Motel
Aaron Court Motel

Aaron Court Motel

2.5 out of 5
22 Wolfe Street, Whangarei
Stay at this aparthotel in Whangarei. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Claphams Clock Museum and Hundertwasser Art ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (75 reviews)
"A bit outdated, no light switch near bed for ceiling lights. Bed was comfortable, needed extra pillows."

Reviewed on 10 Jul 2025

Aaron Court Motel
Pacific Rendezvous

Pacific Rendezvous

4 out of 5
73 Motel Road, Tutukaka, Northland
Stay at this 4-star beach aparthotel in Tutukaka. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Philip Island and Rahomaunu Island ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (229 reviews)
Location
"Beautiful location, accommodation comfortable."

Reviewed on 7 Jul 2025

Pacific Rendezvous
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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