A six-year-old's kid-friendly guide to Whangārei
Published on 18 July 2024
Hey parents! Are you tired of trying to find family-friendly activities for your mokopuna to do on holiday? We've taken the guesswork out by going straight to the source.
Here is a six-year-old's guide to all of the fun things to see, do and eat during your Whangārei holiday.
My favourite outdoor activities in Whangārei are...
"We go to the Quarry Gardens and try to find the painted rocks. Sometimes there are lots. And then we run through the tunnels".
Where to find it: The Whangarei Quarry Gardens are located at 37A Russell Road, Kensington. Entry is by donation. Parents will appreciate Quail Cafe's takeaway coffee and tasty treats.
"I really liked when we walked down to the rocky beach and looked for the cool shells. It had lots of steps!"
Where to find it: The Tūtūkākā Lighthouse Walk is at the end of Landowners Lane, Tūtūkākā. A short walk along the headland leads to steps that meet a rocky beach, with little nooks to explore. From here, you can continue across the beach and hike to the summit of Kukutauwhao Island.
You’ll wind through stands of native bush to reach top, with panoramic views of the surrounding ocean. The island is only accessible at low tide so check before you go.
My favourite walks in Whangārei are...
"We walked all the way to the top of the mountain with the red light (Parihaka) without stopping! We had to get piggy-backed down though".
Where to find it: The Parihaka Scenic Reserve is located in central Whangārei and is easily accessible via a number of routes. Most tend to park at Mair Park, where kids can enjoy the playground and meet the local ducks before heading up the maunga.
Three walking tracks lead to the summit, where you'll enjoy beautiful panoramic views over the city and towards the harbour. This track is steep, so best suited for older children (or parents who don't mind carrying their kids!)
"I liked when we walked to Whale Bay and saw all of the funny-looking trees hanging over the path. There's one that's hollow that you can hide inside!"
Where to find it: The parking for Whale Bay is 650m past Matapouri, and the walk to the beach is approximately 500m. Add to the adventure by walking the Matapouri Headland Track, a 1.1km track that connects the two beaches.
"My favourite rainy-day things to do are..."
"Bowling was so much fun. We put the sides up and I beat Dad. They had fun games too."
Where to find it: Actionzone Entertainment Centre, located 129 Port Road, offers a range of rainy-day activities. Take to the bowling alley, team up with a game of Laser Tag or let the kids loose in the arcade. They also offer food and drink options.
"I love going to the movies and eating all of the popcorn."
Where to find it: Event Cinemas have the latest Hollywood blockbusters, so kids will always find aliens, superheroes or cartoon animals to be captivated by, giving caregivers 90 minutes (give or take) of peace. Conveniently located in the heart of the CBD, there is also parking onsite.
My favourite things to eat in Whangārei are...
"Fish and chips at the beach - I like the beach that has the little caves and is easy to swim at."
Where to find it: There is no shortage of good fish and chips in Whangārei, so your decision will mainly come down to where you want to eat them.
Kowharewa Bay (mentioned above), with caves and child-friendly shallow water, is located between Ngunguru and Tūtūkākā, so Takeaways at Ngunguru is the best place to pick up your dinner. If you're heading towards Onerahi, stop at Onerahi Fish & Takeaways. Whangārei Heads has McLeod Bay Fish & Chips or the Parua Bay Fish & Chip Shop. Every suburb has their favourite, so if in doubt, check in with the locals!
"Cupcakes with sprinkles! I like pink ones."
Where to find it: Cuppacakes will delight sweet-toothed visitors, with a range of delicious cupcakes. Indulge in traditional chocolate and vanilla or try something a little more unusual (lolly cake cupcakes anyone?).
"My favourite places to play in Whangārei are...
"My favourite playground is the one with the massive green slide at the Loop".
Where to find it: Pohe Island Playground is the perfect place to burn off some energy. Located on the popular Hātea Loop, this playground is best suited for ages five and up, however, there is still plenty for younger kids to enjoy. Climb, swing, slide, fly, dig or run - it's all here!
"There's lots of secret playgrounds too!"
Where to find it: Whangārei is home to dozens of playgrounds, so regardless of where you're staying or visiting, you'll be able to find one nearby. Whangarei District Council has an interactive map where you can find playgrounds, skate parks and bike parks nearby.