Car Rental Whangarei Downtown

Any time of year makes a fine time to visit Whangarei, the northernmost city on New Zealand’s North Island, a 2.5- hour drive from Auckland. Affectionately nicknamed ‘the north without winter’, this spectacular sub-tropical playground greets the visitor with its impressive natural beauty. You’ll adore the district’s superb sandy beaches, breathtaking coastal views, native kauri forests, marine reserves and iconic waterfalls. Whangarei is also situated near Mount Parihaka; an extinct 20-million-year-old volcanic dome now shrouded in bushland, five-kilometres south. Hike or drive to the summit and enjoy a wonderful panorama at the highest point of the city. Parihaka is also the site of the largest fortified Māori village (pā) and holds rich cultural significance. An easy walk-through native forest from Parihaka’s peak allows you to look in at this prominent archaeological excavation.

Head back to downtown Whangarei and you’ll find a sophisticated city centre of stylish eateries and entertainments, galleries and museums, specialty shopping and a picturesque waterside. The town basin is a delightful package of colonial architecture, contemporary landscaping, heritage and sculpture trails, large scale murals and abundant gardens; while Whangarei’s beautiful marina offers a sheltered safe harbour attracting yachties and sailors from far and wide, plus lovers of its laidback outdoor lifestyle. Equipped with your hire car you’ll be able to experience the best of Whangarei, and its perfect holiday mix of adventure and leisure, easy-going hospitality, with a big dose of the arts and culture stirred in. Arguably one of the most marvellous combos you could expect in a holiday, inviting an extended stay.

Experience the charm of Whangarei’s downtown district in your hire car 

Whangarei’s Hatea River waterfront beckons visitors with a relaxed, friendly vibe and a wide range of options to eat, drink and socialise. Select from al fresco fine and casual dining, cafes, gastro pubs, and every cuisine under the sun. If you’re in town on a Saturday, hang around The Canopy Bridge for the Artisans Market, featuring 100 talented artisans and cool crafters, supplemented with tasty bites like churros, Hungarian street food, baked goods and fresh strawberries. Also check out their Friday night markets for international foodie flavours. Walk or cycle it off on the 4.2-kilometre Hatea Loop, which also takes in the innovative, award-winning Te Matau A Pohe Bridge.

Arts and culture play a huge part in Whangarei’s vibrancy, history and charm. Starting on the streets, explore the 15 murals along the City Centre Street Art Walk. Make sure you fit in a visit to the top galleries: the Whangarei Art Museum, home of the city art collection; and the Hundertwasser Art Centre and Wairau Māori Art Gallery located on the waterfront. The Hundertwasser Centre is the result of a passionate architectural vision that entwines creativity with nature – a unique sustainable space built with recycled bricks and native timbers, and a forested roof. Almost thirty years in the making, it also houses the first dedicated Māori art gallery, Wairau: a showcase of the finest contemporary Māori arts. Stay for brunch, or return later for dinner and drinks at the Aqua Restaurant and Bar. 

Whangarei has a wealth of local legends woven into its landscape. To discover more about its strong Māori heritage, book a very personal cultural tour and be welcomed into the homes of warm and knowledgeable hosts, through ceremony, song and stories. Make a korāri flax flower and even prepare home-made bread in an earth oven (hāngi). 

Whangarei’s beautiful outdoors begs to be explored in your hire car

Frequently called the ‘most photogenic waterfall in New Zealand’, the majestic Whangarei Falls Otuihau are also regarded as a place of spiritual and cultural connection surrounded by remnants of wild forests filled with bird song, and waters brimming with eel. It’s just a 10-minute drive, or you can take the magical six-kilometre track from downtown Whangarei, past the land’s ancient giants – the stately old kauri trees. Picnic spots and freshwater swimming holes are plentiful along the way. Take a short detour and hidden in the AH Reed Memorial Park, you’ll arrive at another beautiful water feature: the Pukenui Falls, a little smaller but no less picturesque. If you’re keen to seek out more waterfalls, you’ve hit the jackpot around Whangarei. The district is host to the Piroa Falls, further south in the Waipu Gorge Scenic Reserve; the Wairua Falls, 24-kilometres to the city’s west; and closer by, the Raumanga Falls, with cascades great for swimming, and the kauri-fringed Taheke Falls.

At Whangarei Heads, discover the terrain by kayaking, snorkelling, or on foot. You can choose from many outstanding coastal tracks. Walkers will love the Te Whara (Bream Head) Track, which takes roughly six hours, or 15 km return, from Urquharts Bay to Ocean Beach. Hike through pristine native forest, following an ancient Māori trail, before arriving at a stunning vista overlooking Whangarei Harbour and the Pacific Ocean. Another short but challenging trek is the 420-metre climb to Mount Manaia’s summit where you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking 360-degree panorama, from the entrance of the Harbour over Bream Bay and across to the ocean.

Closer to ground, see three caves along the Abbey Caves Track, all in their natural, undeveloped state, their caverns lit with glow-worms. Unwind in the colourful sub-tropical lushness of the Whangarei Quarry Gardens. Or just stroll the favourite local beaches at Waipu Cove, Smugglers Bay and Ruakaka – all less than 40-minutes away. There’s a bounty of brilliant attractions in store for you at Whangarei, all ready to be experienced with your hire car.