Must-see attractions in Bay of Islands & Northland

  • The Te Matua Ngahere (Father of the Forest), a giant kauri (Agathis australis) coniferous tree in the Waipoua Forest.
861154632
Large Growth Nature Vertical Outdoors Rural Scene Hiking Natural Phenomenon Plant Public Park Footpath Green Color New Old Tropical Climate North National Landmark Bush Tree Uncultivated Tree Trunk Leaf Landscape - Scenery Island Woodland Forest Tall - High New Zealand North Island New Zealand Northland - New Zealand Māori Giant Males Females Photography Travel Kauri Tree Rainforest Waipoua Forest te matua ngahere

    Te Matua Ngahere

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    From the Kauri Walks car park, a 20-minute walk leads past the Four Sisters, a graceful stand of four tall trees fused together at the base, to Te Matua…

  • Beach at Mangawhai Heads.

    Mangawhai Heads

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    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…

  • The T?ne Mahuta (Lord of the Forest), a giant kauri tree in the Waipoua Forest of Northland Region.
The Tāne Mahuta (Lord of the Forest), a giant kauri tree in the Waipoua Forest of Northland Region.
838457824
Nature Horizontal Famous Place New Zealand North Island New Zealand Northland - New Zealand Color Image Photography Tourism Kauri Tree Hokianga Harbour Waipoua Forest Tāne Mahuta

    Tāne Mahuta

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    Near the north end of the park, not far from the road, stands mighty Tāne Mahuta, named for the Māori forest god. At 51.5m, with a 13.8m girth and wood…

  • Kauri Museum

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    The giant cross-sections of trees at this superb museum are astounding in themselves, but the entire industry is animated through life-sized reproductions…

  • Mangawhai Museum

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    One of regional NZ's best museums, this spectacular building shaped like a stingray is on the main road linking Mangawhai village to Mangawhai Heads…

  • Arai-Te-Uru Recreation Reserve in Omapere, New Zealand.

    Arai-te-uru Recreation Reserve

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    Covering the southern headland of the Hokianga Harbour, this reserve offers magnificent views over the harbour and along the wild west coast. A short walk…

  • Exterior of Clapham's National Clock Musuem.

    Clapham’s National Clock Museum

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    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…

  • Te Kākano

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    Fans of the late Austrian-born architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser will instantly recognise his influence in this colourful, irregularly shaped, one…

  • St Mary’s Catholic Church

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    Catholicism arrived in Aotearoa in the form of well-respected French bishop Jean Baptiste Pompallier, who celebrated NZ’s first Mass at Totara Point…

  • Mimiwhangata Coastal Park

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    This coastal reserve features sand dunes, pohutukawa trees, jutting headlands and picturesque beaches. DOC-managed accommodation includes an eight-person…

  • Wairere Boulders Nature Park

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    At Wairere, massive basalt rock formations have been eroded into odd fluted shapes by the acidity of ancient kauri forests. Allow 40 minutes for the main…

  • Dargaville Museum

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    The hilltop Dargaville Museum is more interesting than most regional museums. There’s a large gumdigging display, plus maritime, Māori and musical…

  • Abbey Caves

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    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…

  • Te Whai Bay Wines

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    Handcrafted wines include chardonnay, pinot gris and Bordeaux-style reds, and the beautiful vineyard is a great spot for a shared antipasto platter to…

  • Clendon House

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    This pretty cottage was built in the bustling 1860s by James Clendon, a trader, shipowner and magistrate. After his death, his 34-year-old half-Māori…

  • Whangārei Quarry Gardens

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    Green-fingered volunteers have transformed this old quarry into a blissful community park with a lake, waterfalls, pungent floral aromas, wild bits,…

  • Ripiro Beach

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    The beach is a gazetted highway: you can drive along the sand at low tide, although it is primarily for 4WDs. Despite being NZ’s longest driveable beach,…

  • Māngungu Mission

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    Completed in 1839, this sweet wooden cottage contains relics of the missionaries who once inhabited it, and of Horeke’s shipbuilding past. In the grounds…

  • Lookout

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    For a bird's-eye view over the canopy, head to the forest lookout, near the very south end of the park. You can either drive to it (the road is well…

  • Botanica

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    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…

  • Kiwi North

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    Five kilometres west of Whangārei, this park complex includes 19th-century buildings, the Whangārei Museum displaying Māori and colonial artefacts, and a…

  • No 1 Parnell

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    Occupying a century-old corner building originally built as a grocery store, this upmarket commercial gallery exhibits interesting work by local artists…

  • AH Reed Memorial Kauri Park

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    A grove of immense 500-year-old kauri trees has been preserved in this lush tract of native bush, where a cleverly designed boardwalk leads you…

  • Whangārei Art Museum

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    Whangārei's public gallery has an interesting permanent collection, but the two large gallery spaces usually house temporary exhibitions by regional and…

  • Pou

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    Set between Whangarei's old and new library buildings is this intriguing sculpture consisting of 10 large poles carved with Māori, Polynesian, Celtic,…

  • Whangārei Falls

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    Short walks around these 26m-high falls provide views of the water cascading over the edge of an old basalt lava flow. The falls can be reached on the…

  • Waipu Museum & Shop

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    In this fascinating little museum Waipu's Scottish heritage comes to life through holograms, a short film and interactive displays. The shop stocks…

  • Village Arts

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    A sophisticated surprise in such a small place, this volunteer-run gallery fills a restored heritage building with ever-changing exhibitions – mainly from…

  • Whangarei Native Bird Recovery Centre

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    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.

  • Quarry Arts Centre

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    An eccentric village of artists’ studios and co-operative galleries where you can often pick up well-priced art and craft.

    • placement: fullWidth
    • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
    • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
    • targeting:
      {
        "position": "superzone"
      }