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Parks and Reserves   |   Things to do   |  Cafes and Wineries   |  Doctors 

Whangarei is the gateway to Northland and the Bay of Islands. Instead of just driving through Whangarei why not take some time out to discover this city and some of the wonderful family-friendly businesses that it has to offer.

Cafes and Wineries

The New Zealand Fudge Farm Country Larder and Dessert Cafe

Shop 3, Town Basin, Whangarei. 

Ph: 09 438 3327

Give the children a taste sensation at our cafe. We have over 19 flavours of fresh fudge to test your taste buds.

 

Dickens Inn

On Cameron at Quality Street Mall, Whangarei City Centre. 

Ph: 09 430 0406 Email: gmc@dickensinn.co.nz   Web: www.dickensinn.co.nz

A family cafe and restaurant providing breakfast, lunch and dinner. Children's menu available.

Longview Estate

State Highway One, On the entrance to Whangarei. 

Ph: 09 438 7227 Email: longview.wines@xtra.co.nz Web: www.longviewwines.co.nz

Let your children play on our grass area or have a swing while you try our wonderful wines (well, it's an idea!).

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Beaches and walks

The Whangarei Waterfalls Scenic Reserve has a picturesque waterfall that stands 26 metres high and can be viewed from two viewing platforms above the waterfall. A loop walk goes on both sides of the fall's basin.

Waimahanga Walkway is accessible from Waimahanga Road, George Point Road, Waverley Street or Raurimu Ave; these roads are all off Onerahi Road. This lovely walk takes you through mangroves and provides a great opportunity to see estuarine life in action.

Mair Park, which is nestled on the rivers edge with a park and short walks, also has ducks for children to feed. To access the park, take Hatea Drive and turn off at Rurumoki Street.

Cafler Park houses the Rose Garden and at its entrance is the Art Gallery. Access is via Water Street or Rust Avenue.

Tutukaka Coast and Poor Knights Island

Travelling northeast from Whangarei to Tutukaka you will come across one of New Zealand’s top scuba diving destination. So if snorkeling or scuba diving is something that your family is into for a leisure activity, put this on your must do list. Poor Knights Islands are only 23km off the Tutukaka Coast and the island is a marine reserve below the surface and on top, it’s a nature reserve. Department of Conservation on 09 470 3304 www.doc.govt.nz

To arrange a tour you will need to contact one of the local tourist operators at Tutukaka.
 

Tutukaka Wild Adventure Company

Matapouri Road

Ph: 09 434 34 23 www.tutukakawild.calders.net.nz

A great place to take children, where they can feed and pat farm animals.

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Things to do

Zion Wildlife Gardens

Grey Road, Kamo.

Ph: 09 435 0110 www.zionwildlifegardens.co.nz

You will need to make a booking for a tour if you wish to visit the big cats that include both the rare Barbary lion and the royal white tigers.

Whangarei Museum and Kiwi House

Heritage Park, State Highway 14, Whangarei

Ph: 09 438 9630 www.whangareimuseum.co.nz

A great museum for families and includes the Kiwi House where you can see live kiwi. The house is set in 25 acres of park-like grounds.

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Bushwacka Experience

State Highway 14, Maugatapere, 15km west of Whangaeri

Ph: 09 434 7724  www.bushwacka.co.nz

Ride four-wheel-drives on a farm and bush tours. Suitable for children over 12 years of age.

Chipmunks Indoor Playground

3 Woods Road, Whangarei. 

Ph: 09 430 3838

A great indoor playground to relax and watch your children play.
 

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Bluewater Farm Park

Located halfway between Tutukaka and Matapouri.

Ph: 09  434 3423 

Your children will enjoy meeting the wonderful farm animals at Bluewater Farm Park.
 

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The Papermill

State Highway One, South Whangarei. 

Ph: 09 438 2652 web: www.papermill.co.nz

The Papermill began in 1989 as a project designed to lift the self-esteem of intellectually disabled people.  These special papermakers give you the opportunity  to watch them work or you can make your own.
 

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Pupurangi Hire & Tour

Jetty 1, Riverside Drive, Whangarei. Ph: 09 437 2509  Mobile: 025 275 3986

Enjoy the Town Basin from the unique and environmentally friendly aqa cykl (water bike).  Also available for hire are kayaks, roller blades, scooters and bicycles. Bookings and enquiries welcome.
 

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Natural Wood Creations - Kauri Clock Factory

Nell Place (off Dyer St), Whangarei. Ph: 09 438 8884 Web: www.kauri.net
 

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AE Fun Park

15 min south of whangarei, 203 hayward rd whangarei,

Ph 4323534  email: bookings@aefun.co.nz  web www.aefun.co.nz 

Paintball, Go-karts and clay bird shooting, Situated on a spectacular 60 acre farm of rolling pasture and native bush.

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Libraries

Want to enrich your children's lives with some reading? Ask about any children's programme currently running or children's story time.

For non-emergencies contact:

Police: Kamo Police Station, 416 Kamo Road, Whangarei.  

Ph: 09 435 1729

 

Whangarei Central, Cameron Street, Whangarei. 

Ph: 09 430 4500

 

Hospital: Whangarei Hospital, Hospital Road, Whangarei. 

Ph: 09 430 4100

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