Mangawhai Tavern

Bay of Islands & Northland


One of the country's oldest pubs – established in 1865, but twice burnt down since then – the tavern's harbourside location is a top spot for an afternoon beer. There's live music most Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons, and across the Christmas–New Year period some of NZ's top bands rock the outside stage. The meals are also very good.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Bay of Islands & Northland attractions

1. Mangawhai Museum

1.26 MILES

One of regional NZ's best museums, this spectacular building shaped like a stingray is on the main road linking Mangawhai village to Mangawhai Heads…

2. Mangawhai Heads

3.13 MILES

Mangawhai's main claim to fame is the surf beach and its large hilltop car park fills up quickly in peak season. To the south a narrow spit of sand…

3. Te Whai Bay Wines

3.5 MILES

Handcrafted wines include chardonnay, pinot gris and Bordeaux-style reds, and the beautiful vineyard is a great spot for a shared antipasto platter to…

4. Te Hana Te Ao Marama

9.87 MILES

You'll see the terraces of a lot of historic pā (fortified village) sites etched into hillsides all around NZ, but if you want to get an idea of how these…

5. Waipu Museum & Shop

12.25 MILES

In this fascinating little museum Waipu's Scottish heritage comes to life through holograms, a short film and interactive displays. The shop stocks…

6. Goat Island Marine Reserve

15.71 MILES

Only 3km from Leigh, this 547-hectare aquatic area was established in 1975 as the country’s first marine reserve. In less than 40 years the sea has…

7. Goat Island Marine Discovery Centre

15.78 MILES

Staffed by marine experts and graduate students from the University of Auckland, this centre is packed with interesting exhibitions on the ecosystem of…

8. Dome Forest

16.69 MILES

Two kilometres north of Warkworth, a track leads through this regenerating forest to the Dome summit (336m). On a fine day you can see the Sky Tower from…