50 first dates in Whangārei

Published on 11 October 2024

Whether you’re impressing your high-school crush with a memorable outing or treating your partner to a well-deserved (kid-free) date night, we’ve got you covered.

Get ready to explore, laugh, and fall in love all over again in Whangārei!

Active dates

We know there's some people out there who like to make a connection over a heart-pumping activity. Here are eleven date ideas that will help you to break a sweat.

1. Try a fitness class - Try F45, hit your local CrossFit gym or stretch those muscles at a Reformer Pilates class. 
2. Participate in a fun run - Whangārei hosts several running groups and organised events. Take on the Hātea Loop Challenge, join the Saturday parkrun or wait for the Run/Walk Festival.
3. Hike Mount Parihaka - The conversation might flow better on the downhill portion, but what's more romantic than panoramic city views? Plus, you can finish your walk with a cold drink at the Town Basin.
4. Go on a bike ride - Whangārei's shared paths make it easy to cruise around the city. Venture around the Hātea Loop Walkway - Huarahi o te Whai, and out to Onerahi via the Waimahanga walkway or pedal up to Te Kamo. 
5. Visit the Whangārei Aquatic Centre - Relax in the spa, race down the waterslides or sit back in the sauna.
6. Take a yoga class together - Find your zen, relax and unwind with a yoga session. Why not try aerial yoga to mix things up (it's easy to see people in a new light when you're hanging upside down).
7. Learn to surf - Take a surf lesson or just enjoy the waves. There are options in Waipū, Tūtūkākā and Sandy Bay.
8. Walk the Hātea Loop - It may not be the most imaginative, but a walk around the Hātea Loop Walkway - Huarahi o te Whai also means you can grab a coffee or an ice-cream, walk and talk, and detour to the local dog park to find out one of the most important questions... are they a dog person? 
9. Walk the Pukenui Forest Loop - Pop on your walking shoes and explore beautiful native bush. Choose your route with care - one loop is a casual 5km, while the other will lead you on an 8.2km off-track adventure.
10. Try the indoor climbing wall - The Northland Climbing Group hosts monthly open nights where new climbers can come along and test the walls. Who knows, even if the date doesn't work out, you might have a new hobby!
11. Tee off together - Grab your golf bag and select your club of choice... Whangārei is home to several scenic golf courses that will test your skills (but hopefully not your relationship).

Adventure

Get rid of that nervous energy by doing something out of your comfort zone! Here are seven adventurous date night ideas.

1. Escape the Escape Room - What better way to get to know someone than being locked in a room together?
2. See glow worms - Join a guided tour and discover a glow worm Milky Way.
3. Explore The Poor Knights - Take to the water and explore one of the world's best dive sites. Prefer snorkelling (or sunbathing?) There're options for that too!
4. Visit the Adrenaline Adventure Park - Bounce your way around the inflatable obstacle course at New Zealand's biggest water park.
5. Practice your kayaking - Hire a double kayak and enjoy a romantic paddle or join a guided tour and explore our beautiful coastline.
6. Catch a fish - Bond over the smell of bait and the thrill of catching the big one! Maybe your partner is the catch of the day?
7. Go horseback riding - Pretend you're on the cover of a romance novel by galloping down the beach with the wind in your hair. Saddle up in Waipū, Sandy Bay and Whangārei Heads.

Foodie

Fall in love over a shared passion for fish and chips, or bond over baking. Here are seven tasty date options.

1. Pack a beach picnic - It's a classic for a reason. Pack a picnic basket of tasty treats and a blanket and make your way to one of our beautiful beaches. Just don't forget the sun umbrella!
2. Fish and chips at the beach - Another classic, but this time with tomato sauce. Bond over a piece of battered snapper and a relaxing soundtrack of shrieking seagulls.
3. Have a picnic at Mair Park - Unless you enjoy a captive audience of ducks and pigeons, we recommend setting your picnic up near the Mair Park playground, then enjoying a riverside walk. 
4. Visit the Canopy Night Market - Enjoy a wide variety of street food and live entertainment at this annual night market. 
5. Take a cooking class together - Learn how to decorate a cake or whip up a delicious meal then enjoy the fruits of your labour.
6. Visit the Whangarei Growers Market - Browse the fresh produce and come up with a tasty menu full of local flavour to cook and share. 
7. Grab a drink - Whether you're looking to bond over an IPA, a crisp Sauv Blanc or a fruity mocktail, Whangārei has plenty of excellent bars and eateries to choose from.

Explore

Discover somewhere new together or share a special place with a special someone. Here are twelve activities that will get you out and about in Whangārei.

1. Walk to Smugglers Bay - Enjoy some fresh air as you wander to one of our most beautiful beaches. Depending how the date is going, you can take either the short or long route back to the car.
2. Go geocaching - Join in one of the world's biggest treasure hunts! Download the geocaching app and track down some of the nearly 800 geocaches hidden in Whangārei.
3. Head under the sea - Our beautiful coastline means we're spoilt for choice when it comes to snorkelling. If you're unsure where to start, the Whangārei Harbour Marine Reserve is a great option.
4. Hire Beam Scooters and explore the Shared Paths - We bet you've walked past a purple Beam scooter and thought it might be a bit of fun, so why not don the helmet and cruise the Shared Paths? 
5. Explore Kauri Mountain Beach - This stunning ocean beach is one of our most isolated and rugged locations. It's well worth the long drive (some of which is on gravel) as you'll often find you have kilometres of beach to yourself.
6. Walk the longest footbridge in the Southern Hemisphere - Enjoy a road-trip to Whananaki North and walk the 395m footbridge that crosses the Whananaki Inlet. Why not end the day with fish and chips from the Whananaki General Store.
7. Visit Whangārei Falls - Otuihau - Check out the view from the top of falls or stretch your legs by walking down to the base. If the date is going well, why not keep wandering along the Hātea River to...
8. Discover A H Reed Memorial Park - ...Walk among ancient kauri trees and enjoy the lush forest. Explore the Canopy Walkway, head to Paranui Falls or keep walking down through Mair Park and to the Town Basin.
9. Relax at Ruakākā Beach - Pack your picnic blanket, throw in your togs and enjoy a day at the beach. If Ruakākā is too far out, why not visit one of our other 100+ beaches?
10. Take a Scenic Drive to Tūtūkākā Coast - Beach-hop along the coast, with a few essential stops along the way (ice-cream anyone?)
11. Go on a scenic boat cruise - Cruise down the Hātea River to the Whangārei Harbour with Whangarei Harbour Cruises.
12. Stroll through the Quarry Gardens - Order a coffee from Quail Cafe and wander through beautiful sub-tropical gardens.

Fun

Looking for an activity that will make you laugh, dance or sing? Here are six more fun-filled date ideas (you had us at karaoke...)

1. Join a quiz team - Enlist some friends and join one of the many regular quiz nights in the district. They're also a popular fundraising activity, letting you help out a good cause while putting your date's general knowledge to the test.
2. Sing like a (karaoke) star - It's not for everyone, but there's a lot you can learn about people based on their karaoke song selections. Choose between a private room or brave the public stage.
3. Enjoy some live music - Enjoy a concert or get more intimate with a gig at one of the local bars. 
4. Volunteer together - Volunteering Northland are always looking for people to help at local events and with community organisations. Spend quality time together while doing a little bit of good for the community - it's a win-win!
5. Cheer on the Taniwha and Kauri at Semenoff Stadium - Don your best Northland jersey, grab a punnet of hot chippies and cheer on the guys and girls in blue at Semenoff Stadium.
6. See a show at one of our theatres - Whangārei has a dynamic arts and culture scene, with several theatres hosting exciting national and international shows. Check out what's on offer at What's on Whangārei.

Learn

Learn something new while learning more about your partner. We've compiled seven educational (but fun) activities that will broaden your horizons.

1. Visit the Claphams National Clock Museum - We bet you've wandered past Claphams National Clock Museum and thought, "I should go there one day". Here's the perfect excuse to discover a unique collection of clocks from around the world.
2. Explore Packard Motor Museum - Discover a quirky, vast collection of vintage cars and motorcycles at Packard Motor Museum.
3. Touch the stars at Planetarium North - The Northland Astronomical Society hosts special events where guests can stargaze and learn about astronomy.
4. Take an art class together - The Quarry Arts Centre hosts a range of fun art workshops for all skill levels. Have a go at life drawing or try your hand on the pottery wheel (no, not like in Ghost).
5. Spot a kiwi (or gecko) at Kiwi North - Did you know kiwi are one of few monogamous species? Take a visit to Kiwi North with your chosen one and see if you can spot one of the long-beaked birds in the nocturnal house. There's also a range of geckos, bugs, and of course, the Whangārei Museum.
6. Visit the Whangarei Art Museum - Wander through the often-changing exhibitions at the Whangārei Art Musuem and see if your taste in art aligns. 
7. Put on your dancing shoes - What could be more romantic than taking to the floor for a salsa? Loco hosts Salsa and Latin dancing every Sunday night, and all dancers are welcome, regardless of experience.

Believe it or not, this is just a selection of the fun date activities Whangārei has on offer. Visit our Be Inspired section for more local must-do activities and ideas of what to do in the district.