Whangarei Heads Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Whangarei Heads featuring a bay or harbour
Whangarei Heads which includes general coastal views and a sandy beach as well as a small group of people
Whangarei showing a bay or harbour, mountains and a sandy beach
Whangarei Heads which includes a lake or waterhole
Whangarei showing a bay or harbour and a pebble beach

Enjoy natural harbour waters, climb rugged volcanic peaks or laze on a white surf beach surrounding this peaceful little town.

Whangarei Heads sits on the tip of a large spit of land that creates the outer edge of Whangarei Harbour. Offering both protected and open waters, soaring hills and rolling forest, the peninsula displays a smorgasbord of natural treats.

You’ll get to appreciate Whangarei Heads’ natural beauty even before you get there. As you drive along the scenic Whangarei Heads Road, you can take in the stunning harbor views and see the peaks at the tip of the peninsula come nearer.

Check out the great selection of watersports on offer. Head to the 3-mile (5-kilometer) white sands of Ocean Beach and ride the waves on a surfboard or boogie board. If you are not into surfing, just jump into the pristine waters to cool off. The sheltered bays offer calm waters for swimming and snorkeling and the coastal mangroves provide a scenic setting to kayak through.

Get a different perspective by heading up to the top of Whangarei Heads. Hike up the volcanic peak of Mount Manaia, which rises up to 1,378 feet (420 meters). As you reach the rocky outcrops, you start to get hints of the stunning views that await at the top. Large tree ferns line the way, providing shade. The summit offers panoramic views out over the Hen and Chicken Islands and the Bream Head Reserve.

Keep your hiking boots on to explore some of the other varied walks of the area as well. Try the Peach Cove Track to climb up Bream Head Ridge before dropping down into pretty Peach Cove. Smugglers Bay Loop Track is a nice easy walk for the whole family, with many interesting points along the way.

Whangarei Heads is a hidden gem in sub-tropical Northland. The nature and scenery alone is enough to keep you more than busy for a few days and the little settlement of Whangarei Heads has accommodations for all budgets. With some of nature’s finest tucked into this little peninsula, it would be a shame not to stay.

Rustic Beach House Getaway
Rustic Beach House Getaway
Whangarei Heads
Stay at this vacation home in Whangarei Heads. Enjoy laundry facilities. Popular attractions Mcleod Bay and Reotahi Bay are located nearby.
9.4/10 Exceptional! (12 reviews)
Perfect Beach house
"A lovely place stay. Very comfortable bed and nice hot shower.Beautifully positioned with a peaceful outlook over the bay. Walk up to the cafe and chip shop. Lots to do in the area or just sit and enjoy the nice deck to relax with comfortable chairs and BBQ.House had everything we needed, couldnt ..."

Reviewed on 20 May 2025

Rustic Beach House Getaway
Classic Kiwi Bach In Blissful Urquhart Bay - Relax and Recharge
Classic Kiwi Bach In Blissful Urquhart Bay - Relax and Recharge
Whangarei Heads
Book a stay at this golf cottage in Whangarei Heads. Enjoy a garden, laundry facilities, and patios. Popular attractions Taurikura Bay and Mount Manaia are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (8 reviews)
Great gettaway
"A really cool place to stay and relax."

Reviewed on 18 Apr. 2025

Classic Kiwi Bach In Blissful Urquhart Bay - Relax and Recharge
Cosy cottage by the seaside
Cosy cottage by the seaside
Whangarei
The price is NZ$222 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
NZ$222
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this beach vacation home in Whangarei Heads. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and a garden. Popular attractions Mcleod Bay and Mount Manaia are ...
10/10 Exceptional! (56 reviews)
Wonderful
"We had another wonderful stay here. Amazing spot. We will definitely be back."

Reviewed on 5 Jul. 2025

Cosy cottage by the seaside
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Rustic Beach House Getaway
Rustic Beach House Getaway
Whangarei Heads
Stay at this vacation home in Whangarei Heads. Enjoy laundry facilities. Popular attractions Mcleod Bay and Reotahi Bay are located nearby.
9.4/10 Exceptional! (12 reviews)
Perfect Beach house
"A lovely place stay. Very comfortable bed and nice hot shower.Beautifully positioned with a peaceful outlook over the bay. Walk up to the cafe and chip shop. Lots to do in the area or just sit and enjoy the nice deck to relax with comfortable chairs and BBQ.House had everything we needed, couldnt ..."

Reviewed on 20 May 2025

Rustic Beach House Getaway
Classic Kiwi Bach In Blissful Urquhart Bay - Relax and Recharge
Classic Kiwi Bach In Blissful Urquhart Bay - Relax and Recharge
Whangarei Heads
Book a stay at this golf cottage in Whangarei Heads. Enjoy a garden, laundry facilities, and patios. Popular attractions Taurikura Bay and Mount Manaia are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (8 reviews)
Great gettaway
"A really cool place to stay and relax."

Reviewed on 18 Apr. 2025

Classic Kiwi Bach In Blissful Urquhart Bay - Relax and Recharge
Cosy cottage by the seaside
Cosy cottage by the seaside
Whangarei
Book a stay at this beach vacation home in Whangarei Heads. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and a garden. Popular attractions Mcleod Bay and Mount Manaia are ...
10/10 Exceptional! (56 reviews)
Wonderful
"We had another wonderful stay here. Amazing spot. We will definitely be back."

Reviewed on 5 Jul. 2025

Cosy cottage by the seaside
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Cities near Whangarei Heads