Four ways to enjoy Whangārei's beautiful native plants

Published on 22 July 2024

Discover Whāngarei’s lush forests, bright flowering native trees and rare island plants – a green paradise awaits!

Walk through podocarp, kauri, and broadleaf forests

Explore remnants of New Zealand's original indigenous forests throughout the Whangārei district. 

Stand beneath huge mature kauri trees at A H Reed Memorial Park, walk through towering totara and nikau palms in Pukenui Forest or explore broadleaf and swamp forests via the Maungatapere Mountain Trail.

Enjoy vibrant colours in every season

Pōhutukawa trees (Aotearoa's Christmas tree), add bursts of colour to the district from November to January.

The Whangārei Heads peninsula is particularly magnificent during summer. Together, the fiery red flower and blue harbour look postcard perfect.

During winter, venture out to spot the beautiful yellow bloom of the native kōwhai tree. Beloved by tūī, you'll find kōwhai in various forests and bushes throughout Whangārei.

Visit the Whangārei Quarry Gardens

This subtropical paradise, which is located in a former quarry, houses a vast collection of native flora and fauna. The gardens sustained serious slip damage in Cyclone Gabrielle, but a team of devoted gardeners and volunteers have tended them back to glory.

Wander through themed gardens and discover waterfalls or play in secret tunnels and find hidden painted rocks. This family-friendly oasis is the perfect place to spend a beautiful Northland afternoon.

The Quarry Gardens are also a great place to learn about the unique Poor Knights Lily, or Xeronema callistemon. The Poor Knights Lily originated on the Poor Knights Islands and can be found throughout the district and at the Quarry Gardens.

Tawapou Coastal Natives are local native plant experts and are another fantastic source of information (and plants!) if you're looking to turn your own garden into a native utopia.

Explore mangrove ecosystems

Mangrove forests are generally only found in the top half of the North Island, or Te Ika-a-Māui.

These forests are an essential part of our local ecosystem. They provide habitats for many species, such as crabs, snails, and crustaceans, which, in turn, attract sea birds and fish. They also make the land more stable.

The Whangārei Harbour is lucky to have several established mangrove forests. You'll find easy-to-access examples at the Waimahanga track in Onerahi, as well as along the Hātea Loop walkway.