When it comes to great places to holiday in Aotearoa, you can’t beat Whangarei Heads. Walk the Mt Manaia Track, visit our stunning beaches, surf, kayak, visit the numerous cafes, sail..…where do we start?
This lovely little peninsula has such a diverse range of activities for everyone!
Whangarei Heads walks – take your pick of bush or coastal walks including the famous Mt Manaia track!
Your holiday home at Gone Coastal is perfectly placed for you to get out into some of the best landscape Northland has to offer. Just a few minutes’ drive away are several walks ranging from 20 minutes duration up to several hours and vary in difficulty.
Easy walks
- Busby Head Track 1.5 hours return
- McLeod Bay to Little Munro Bay 2.5 hours return
- Smugglers Bay 40 minutes return
- Pataua Tracks 20 minutes to 1 hour
- Kauri Mountain Beach walks 3 hours
Medium walks requiring moderate fitness
- Mt Manaia track 1.5 hours return
- Mt Aubrey track 2 hours return
Whangarei Heads Beaches
From sheltered harbour coves for kid-friendly swimming to sparkling white sand on surf beaches, Whangarei Heads is a beach lovers paradise.
Watersports
Can’t wait to get out on the water? You’ve come to exactly the right place. 3 minutes’ drive from your front door is easy access to the calm waters of Whangarei Harbour, where you can enjoy a day on the water.
We also have kayaks onsite for your use, you simply need to transport them either to Ocean Beach or one of the plentiful bays around Whangarei Heads, and go exploring!
Fishing and diving
With numerous fishing spots throughout Whangarei harbour and out to sea, fishing and diving are popular pastimes. Gone Coastal is ideal for keen fisherfolk as there’s plenty of room to park your boat and you’re only minutes away from several easy access boat ramps – no need to travel for miles. A day’s fishing couldn’t be easier!
Whangarei Heads events
For a small area, Whangarei Heads has a range of exciting events throughout the year.
Wild Kiwi which is a multi-sport event that has been described as one of the most challenging and beautiful courses in the country https://thewildkiwi.co.nz.
For art lovers there’s Whangarei Arts Trail http://www.whangareiheadsartstrail.org.nz, where local artists open up their galleries and workshops to the public.
There’s also the amazing Collaborationz https://www.collaborationz.co.nz which is a biennial event that brings together artists from all over the country and the world.
Whangarei and Northland
As well as the exciting array of things to do in Whangarei Heads, you’ll find many other activities in Whangarei and further afield in Northland.
Whangarei is the last city on your way north and has many attractions to visit during your time at Gone Coastal. Art galleries, street art, farmer’s markets, the Hundertwasser Arts Centre, great cafes and restaurants make this a vibrant town to visit.
Up for an adventure?
If indulging in a bit of adrenaline is your thing, then Whangarei has several great options. Heads Up Adventures, Adventure Forest and Adrenalin Park are all within a 40-minute drive and offer a range of activities for the thrill seeker.
Day trips from Whangarei
A few of the easy day trips to take from Gone Coastal include:
Bay of Islands
An hour and a half’s drive north is historic Bay of Islands where you can visit Kerikeri, Waitangi, Russell or Paihia. Explore the many historic attractions, enjoy a range of great walks or soak up the atmosphere in one of the many cafes and restaurants the area has on offer. If you’re fond of arts and crafts, there are a number of exciting shops and galleries for you to browse through.
Tutukaka Coast
Around 50 minutes’ drive will bring you to scenic Tutukaka coast where you can indulge in stunning views, gorgeous beaches, great local cuisine or deep-sea fishing – the choice is yours!
If you have any questions about the activities in and around Whangarei Heads, contact us today. We’re here to help you have an amazing holiday at Gone Coastal.
