Local guidebook
Essentials
Our closest small grocery store is about 8 mins away at the Parua Bay shopping centre.
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Four Square Parua Bay
1379 Whangarei Heads RdOur closest small grocery store is about 8 mins away at the Parua Bay shopping centre.
Our local petrol station. They also sell milk and other convenience items incl fishing gear and bait.
GAS Parua Bay
1373 Whangarei Heads RdOur local petrol station. They also sell milk and other convenience items incl fishing gear and bait.
Food Scene
Casual family friendly Kiwi Pub with a great setting. Highly recommended for a casual drink and food on the deck. Waterfront setting.
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Parua Bay Tavern
1034 Whangarei Heads RdCasual family friendly Kiwi Pub with a great setting. Highly recommended for a casual drink and food on the deck. Waterfront setting.
TopSail
206 Beach RdThe best dining out experience in Whangarei. Highly recommended.
Asian usia at it’s best with impeccable service to match. Grate spot in the Town Basin. Be sure to get a seat on the balcony upstairs as this offers the best views over the Town Basin itself.
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No.8
8 QuaysideAsian usia at it’s best with impeccable service to match. Grate spot in the Town Basin. Be sure to get a seat on the balcony upstairs as this offers the best views over the Town Basin itself.
The Bottle O is a well-stocked wine and spirits shop. You'll be surprised with the level of wine.
The bottle-o
1360 Whangarei Heads RdThe Bottle O is a well-stocked wine and spirits shop. You'll be surprised with the level of wine.
Great little Cafe offering perfect coffee, lunch incl. pizzas and gourmet burgers as well as wine and beer.
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Smith & Local Parua Bay
1375 Whangarei Heads RdGreat little Cafe offering perfect coffee, lunch incl. pizzas and gourmet burgers as well as wine and beer.
Parks & Nature
Hike the 1 1/2 hrs to the top of Mt Manaia and you will be rewarded with the most amazing views. Parking and toilets at the start of the walk.
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Mount Manaia
Hike the 1 1/2 hrs to the top of Mt Manaia and you will be rewarded with the most amazing views. Parking and toilets at the start of the walk.
Take the Kauri Mountain Road (gravel road) to the ‘Beach access” parking area. Walk down the steps and you’ll have 6 km of white sandy beach ahead of you. Just the most amazing beach and you will most likely have it all to yourself.
Kauri Mountain
Take the Kauri Mountain Road (gravel road) to the ‘Beach access” parking area. Walk down the steps and you’ll have 6 km of white sandy beach ahead of you. Just the most amazing beach and you will most likely have it all to yourself.
Now we are getting into some hiking for the very keen. A challenging 5 hr hike across the Bream Head ridge will give you one of those experiences you will take with you for a long time....
Mount Lion
Now we are getting into some hiking for the very keen. A challenging 5 hr hike across the Bream Head ridge will give you one of those experiences you will take with you for a long time....
Great destination for the family with young ones. Watch the kids jump off the foot bridge at high tide and enjoy a swim in the clear waters. Truly magnificent spot. Walk to the Pataua North side and you’ll come to the stunning surf beach there.
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Pataua
Great destination for the family with young ones. Watch the kids jump off the foot bridge at high tide and enjoy a swim in the clear waters. Truly magnificent spot. Walk to the Pataua North side and you’ll come to the stunning surf beach there.
Shallow clear water beach with Trees to shade you. Great spot for families with young children.
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Taurikura Bay
Shallow clear water beach with Trees to shade you. Great spot for families with young children.
Ocean Beach is a ‘must visit’ when visiting the Whangarei Heads area. Surf patrolled in Summer. Great white sand Pacific Ocean Beach at its best! Climb the hill either to the left or the right and you’ll fins another deserted beach!
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Ocean Beach
374 Ocean Beach RdOcean Beach is a ‘must visit’ when visiting the Whangarei Heads area. Surf patrolled in Summer. Great white sand Pacific Ocean Beach at its best! Climb the hill either to the left or the right and you’ll fins another deserted beach!
This is a 1,5 hr easy grade walk suited to almost everyone. Stunning scenery with a bit of history along the way. The Gunnery emplacement is located approx 15 minutes into the walk.
Busby Head
This is a 1,5 hr easy grade walk suited to almost everyone. Stunning scenery with a bit of history along the way. The Gunnery emplacement is located approx 15 minutes into the walk.
This is simply the most stunning small white sandy beach with beautiful scenery all around. You can walk to this beach via Busby Head Loop walk or simply hike an easy 15 min over the hill and you're here!
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Smuggler's Bay
This is simply the most stunning small white sandy beach with beautiful scenery all around. You can walk to this beach via Busby Head Loop walk or simply hike an easy 15 min over the hill and you're here!
Entertainment & Activities
Here are a few suggestions for half or whole day tours.
Book a trip to the Poor Knights Islands - world renowned dive site and Marine reserve as well as Nature reserve. Dive!Tutukaka caters to divers as well as non divers. www.diving.co.nz Highly recommended
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Dive! Tutukaka
5 Rona PlBook a trip to the Poor Knights Islands - world renowned dive site and Marine reserve as well as Nature reserve. Dive!Tutukaka caters to divers as well as non divers. www.diving.co.nz Highly recommended
HeadsUP Adventures is our local Adventure Park. Mountain Bike tracks and Monster bikes for hire. Cafe on site as well.
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HeadsUp Adventures
189 Whangarei Heads RdHeadsUP Adventures is our local Adventure Park. Mountain Bike tracks and Monster bikes for hire. Cafe on site as well.
Mark Garry offers a tailor-made kayak tour to suit your ability and needs. Highly recommended. www.pacificcoastkayaks.co.nz
Pacific Coast Kayaks
70 Beach RdMark Garry offers a tailor-made kayak tour to suit your ability and needs. Highly recommended. www.pacificcoastkayaks.co.nz
Carol runs her ' Coastal Riding NZ ' just 5 minutes from your accommodation. You can book in for any level of horse experience you like. It is a boutique experience tailored just for you.
Coastal Riding Whangarei Heads
47 Harambee RdCarol runs her ' Coastal Riding NZ ' just 5 minutes from your accommodation. You can book in for any level of horse experience you like. It is a boutique experience tailored just for you.