Five kilometres west of Whangārei, this park complex includes 19th-century buildings, the Whangārei Museum displaying Māori and colonial artefacts, and a nocturnal kiwi centre offering a rare chance to see the country's feathery fave up close.
Kiwi North
Bay of Islands & Northland
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
29.77 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…
27.14 MILES
The giant cross-sections of trees at this superb museum are astounding in themselves, but the entire industry is animated through life-sized reproductions…
20.78 MILES
For 10 days in January 1846, 1600 British troops bombarded 500 Māori warriors hunkered down in a pā (fortress) composed of trenches, tunnels and wooden…
Clapham’s National Clock Museum
3.42 MILES
This charming collection of 1600 ticking, gonging and cuckooing timepieces is housed in a building shaped as a sundial. There are all manner of kooky and…
27.23 MILES
The hilltop Dargaville Museum is more interesting than most regional museums. There’s a large gumdigging display, plus maritime, Māori and musical…
5.35 MILES
Abbey Caves is an undeveloped network of three caverns full of glowworms and limestone formations, 6km east of town. Take a torch, strong shoes, a mate…
2.98 MILES
Green-fingered volunteers have transformed this old quarry into a blissful community park with a lake, waterfalls, pungent floral aromas, wild bits,…
2.88 MILES
Native ferns, tropical plants and cacti are displayed in this little council-run fernery and conservatory, set on the edge of cute Cafler Park. The park…
Nearby Bay of Islands & Northland attractions
1. Whangarei Native Bird Recovery Centre
0.04 MILES
This avian hospital nurses sick and injured birds back to health. Take a walk around the outdoor aviaries and say hi to the talking tui for us.
2.79 MILES
An eccentric village of artists’ studios and co-operative galleries where you can often pick up well-priced art and craft.
2.88 MILES
Native ferns, tropical plants and cacti are displayed in this little council-run fernery and conservatory, set on the edge of cute Cafler Park. The park…
2.98 MILES
Green-fingered volunteers have transformed this old quarry into a blissful community park with a lake, waterfalls, pungent floral aromas, wild bits,…
3 MILES
Set between Whangarei's old and new library buildings is this intriguing sculpture consisting of 10 large poles carved with Māori, Polynesian, Celtic,…
3.37 MILES
Fans of the late Austrian-born architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser will instantly recognise his influence in this colourful, irregularly shaped, one…
3.38 MILES
Whangārei's public gallery has an interesting permanent collection, but the two large gallery spaces usually house temporary exhibitions by regional and…
8. Clapham’s National Clock Museum
3.42 MILES
This charming collection of 1600 ticking, gonging and cuckooing timepieces is housed in a building shaped as a sundial. There are all manner of kooky and…