About Whangarei Heads

The 6000 hectare peninsula of Whangarei Heads is a water and nature lover’s paradise with a sub tropical climate. Sheltered harbour bays on one side and white sand coastal beaches on the other. A backbone of towering volcanic peaks and stunning natural landscapes greets you as you arrive. There are many places to stay and things to do. Only 2 hours drive from Auckland it makes the perfect base for your Northland holiday or an ideal short break destination.

The peninsula is ringed with numerous sheltered harbour bays and coves on one side, and expansive ocean beaches on the other. The waters of Parua Bay, McLeod’s, Taurkura, Reotahi and Urquhart’s Bays provide numerous family friendly swimming and picnicking spots. On its pacific coastal side the magnificent 5km long Ocean Beach and to the North the popular Taiharuru and Pataua estuaries. Between these coastal fringes lie towering 20 million year old volcanic peaks, “the backbone” of Whangarei Heads with Mt Manaia and Mt Lion rising steeply from the sea to over 400 metres. These mountains are surrounded by rich native bush and are abundant with wildlife including noted populations of North Island Brown kiwi.

The area contains some of the North Islands most noted walking tracks including Mt Manaia, Bream Head, Smugglers Cove, and Mt Aubrey. Clear waters and two marine reserves make the area a water lovers playground for fishing, scuba diving, kayaking, snorkelling and surfing.

The Discover Whangarei Heads website is your handy guide to the region. With a huge selection of ACCOMMODATION, detailed guides to the many WALKING TRACKS and BEACHES in the area, as well as SERVICES and LOCAL EVENT listings, planning your stay has never been easier!

 

THE PEOPLE

The Discover Whangarei Heads Tourism Group Inc (DWH) is a Whangarei Heads community based Incorporated Society. Formed in 2010, our goal is to provide all visitors with information about Whangarei Heads so that everyone can enjoy this special part of New Zealand.

We’re a passionate group of locals keen to promote and take care of this region, among the many different initiatives we’ve worked on over the years, some of our latest achievements include:

  • Getting the Whangarei Heads Tourist Drive designated and included on tourist maps
  • Establishing the Whangarei Heads Arts trail now held each Easter
  • Publishing the DWH Tourism Map and A 4 flyer
  • Creating the “Walking Whangarei Heads” brochure with WDC and BHCT
  • Getting numerous articles on Whangarei Heads written and published in national publications.
  • The DWH Group has become well networked and is represented on the Northland Tourism Group and the Whangarei District Visitor Group Board.
  • Coordinating the fundraising and installation of CCTV cameras at the gateway to Whangarei Heads which will keep our community safe.
  • Working with Northland Inc in developing the newly released “Where Giants Gather” Byway.

Residents of Whangarei Heads are encouraged to join the Group. There are two membership types where full members are typically those that are directly involved in the visitor industry either as accommodation, activity or hospitality trade providers. Supporter members are usually people that are not directly involved in the visitor industry but who wish to support the work done by the Discover Whangarei Heads Group and become more involved in our community.

Find out more by contacting our Secretary secretary@discoverwhangareiheads.nz.

Our full members are featured with individual businesses throughout the website.

Paul and Susanne Olsen
Lynne and Ray Dyer
Anni Vert-Smith
Claire and Mark Pearson
Melissa Arsenault
Ma Lou and Peter Johnson
Lesley Vincent
Lynley and Noel Cronin
Gary Davies
Justine and Joe Stuart
Karen Clearwater
Joy Mooten
John Fulton
Colleen and Andrew Simpson
Steve Kirby
Sabine Ritter and Frank Wenzlaff
Mark and Sharyn Garry
Greg Innes
Emma Owles
Tom Donelly
Lesley Vincent
Alan and Rona Willis
Lil and Ron Ruffell
Jacqueline and John Benson-Cooper
Grant and Raewyn Faber
Ian and Debbie Garner
Jane Kippenberger
Jo Woollacoot

Sue Webster

Jonny and Louisa Gritt

 

A big Thank you! to our proud supporter members:

Shirley Petersen

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