Why go
- City in Northland, New Zealand.
- Served by Whangarei Airport (WRE).
History
Whangārei is the northernmost city in New Zealand and the largest settlement of the Northland Region. It is part of the Whangarei District, created in 1989 from the former Whangarei City, Whangarei County and Hikurangi Town councils to administer both the city and its hinterland. The city population was estimated to be 56,100 in June 2025, an increase from 47,000 in 2001.
Restaurants & places to go
Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Th, Su 11:00-21:00; Fr, Sa 11:00-22:00 Features: takeaway · 8 Kensington Avenue · burgerfuel.com
Sandwich, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00-21:00 Features: takeaway · Whangarei, 0112 · subway.com
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-15:00; Sa-Su 08:00-13:30 · 52 Riverside Drive · facebook.com
Noodle, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo,Tu 11:00-20:30; We-Sa 11:00-21:00; Su off Features: takeaway
Greek, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Sa 17:00-20:00, We-Sa 11:30-14:00; Su,Mo off · 325 Port Road, Whangārei, 0110 · acropolis.co.nz
Italian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-15:00,17:00-21:00 · Whangarei, 0110 · amici.nz
Indian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:30-14:30, Mo,Th 16:30-21:30, Fr,Sa 16:30-22:00, Su 16:30-21:30 · shirazindianrestaurant.co.nz
Pizza, Fast Food · Opening hours: Su,Mo 09:30-23:00, Tu-Th 09:30-24:00, Fr,Sa 09:30-01:00 Features: takeaway · 30 Water Street
Pita, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-20:00; Su 10:00-20:00 Features: takeaway
Sushi, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 08:00-20:00
Chicken, Fast Food · Opening hours: Tu-Su 11:30-20:00; Mo off · 239a Kamo Road, Whangarei · facebook.com
Vietnamese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 11:00-19:30; Sa 13:00-19:00; Su off · 167 Kiripaka Road, Whangārei
Chinese, Hotpot, Dessert, Restaurant · Opening hours: 11:00-21:00 · 81 Walton Street
Restaurant · Opening hours: Su-Tu 09:00-16:00; We-Sa 09:00-21:00 · aquawhangarei.co.nz
Ice Cream · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-21:00 · 71 Cameron Street, Whangārei · bockyboo.co.nz
Fast Food · Opening hours: Tu-Su 11:30-20:30; Mo off · 1 Spedding Road, Whangārei, 0112 · diamondtakeaways.com
Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 07:30-14:30; Sa 08:00-12:00 Features: vegan options · 7 Laurie Hall Lane, Whangārei, 0110 · facebook.com
Kebab, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 11:00-21:00; Sa 10:00-21:00; Su off
Fish And Chips, Fast Food · Opening hours: Su 11:00-19:00; Mo-Th,Sa 10:00-19:30; Fr 09:00-20:00
Israeli, Cafe · Opening hours: 09:00-21:00; Jan 01,Dec 25 off Features: outdoor seating, vegetarian options, step-free access
Bubble Tea, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 09:30-17:00; Sa 09:30-15:00; Su off
American, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 11:30-14:30,16:30-21:00; Fr-Su 11:30-21:00
Asian Fusion, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Sa 11:30-23:00+; Su 11:30-16:00; Mo off
Japanese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Fr 12:00-14:30, Sa,Su 12:00-15:00, Tu-Su 17:30-21:30; Mo,PH off
Thai, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Su 11:00-14:30,17:00-21:00; Mo off
Roasr, Fast Food · Opening hours: Tu-Su 11:15-20:00; Mo off
Donut, Fast Food · Donut fast food
Roast, Fast Food · Roast fast food
Juice, Fast Food · Juice fast food
Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: Su-Tu 06:00-22:00; We-Sa 06:00-23:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway · 511 Kamo Road, Whangarei, 0112
Sandwich, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 08:00-20:00 Features: takeaway
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 07:30-14:00 · 148 Dent Street · sabiocoffee.co.nz
Indian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 11:30-14:00,16:30-22:00; Sa,Su 16:30-22:00
Pizza, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo 16:30-21:00; Tu,Su 11:30-21:00; We-Sa 11:30-22:00 Features: takeaway
Sushi, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 08:30-16:00; Sa 09:00-14:00; Su off
Chicken, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-22:00 Features: takeaway
Chinese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 11:45-21:00; Su off
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:00+ Features: outdoor seating · 31 Quayside, Whangarei, 0110 · thequaykitchen.co.nz
Ice Cream · ice cream
Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Th 11:00-20:00; Fr 11:00-20:30; Sa-Su 11:00-20:00 · 2 Kamo Rd · restaurantlogin.com
Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 08:00-17:00 Features: outdoor seating · 14 Quayside, Whangārei, 0110 · riversidecafe.co.nz
Fish And Chips, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-20:30
Bubble Tea, Cafe · Bubble Tea cafe
Japanese, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:30-17:30
Thai, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo 17:00-21:30; We-Su 11:30-14:30,17:00-21:30; Tu off
109 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →
Airports
Whangarei Airport (WRE) 7.3 km to the centre
Whangarei, NTL, NZ — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 1 airline (Air New Zealand) · direct flights to 2 destinations incl. Auckland, Wellington (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 1 airline, 2 direct destinations
- Air New Zealand NZ (BEH, Dash 8-300) · 2 routes: Auckland*, Wellington*
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Dargaville Aerodrome (DGR) 45 km to the centre
Dargaville, NTL, NZ — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Ruawai Aerodrome 52 km to the centre
NTL, NZ
Tahere Airstrip 11 km to the centre
Whareora, NTL, NZ
Waro Airstrip 16 km to the centre
Hikurangi, NTL, NZ
Where to stay
83 Hatea Drive, Regent, Whangārei 0112, New Zealand · chelsea-house.co.nz
361 Western Hills Drive, Avenues, Whangārei 0110, New Zealand · lodgebordeaux.co.nz
7d Dent Street, Whangārei 0110, New Zealand · parkhillwhangarei.co.nz
24 Mair Street, Regent, Whangārei 0112, New Zealand · whangareitop10.co.nz
1 Cheviot Street, Woodhill, Whangārei 0110, New Zealand · cheviotpark.co.nz
362 Western Hills Drive, Avenues, Whangārei 0110, New Zealand · pohutukawalodge.co.nz
13 Deveron Street, Regent, Whangārei 0112, New Zealand · pembrooke.co.nz
91 Cameron Street, Whangārei 0110, New Zealand · thecellblock.nz
254B Ngunguru Road, Glenbervie 0173, New Zealand · booking.com
58 Bank Street, Whangārei 0110, New Zealand · questwhangarei.co.nz
34 Tarewa Road, Morningside, Whangārei 0110, New Zealand · whangareicentral.co.nz
13 Manse Street, Regent, Whangārei 0112, New Zealand · regentresidentialvilla.co.nz
35 Otaika Road, Woodhill, Whangārei 0110, New Zealand · cherrycourt.co.nz
63 Hatea Drive, Regent, Whangārei 0112, New Zealand · accommodationwhangarei.co.nz
9 Riverside Drive, Riverside, Whangārei 0112, New Zealand · distinctionhotelswhangarei.co.nz
8 Waverley Street, Onerahi, Whangārei 0110, New Zealand · choicehotels.com
50 Konini Street, Abbey Caves, Whangārei 0112, New Zealand · delorainecottage.com
11 Rurumoki Street, Regent, Whangārei 0112, New Zealand
254 Whau Valley Road, Whau Valley, Whangārei 0112, New Zealand
1 Riverside Drive, Riverside, Whangārei 0112, New Zealand
4 School Lane, Regent, Whangārei 0112, New Zealand
Indoor
2 Bank Street, Whangārei 0110, New Zealand
Indoor
567 Kamo Road, Te Kamo, Whangārei 0112, New Zealand
322 Western Hills Drive, Avenues, Whangārei 0100, New Zealand · bellavista.co.nz
85 Kamo Road, Kensington, Whangārei 0112, New Zealand · kensingtonmotel.co.nz
355 Western Hills Drive, Avenues, Whangārei 0140, New Zealand · avenueheights.co.nz
29 Kamo Road, Regent, Whangārei 0112, New Zealand · cypresscourt.co.nz
153 Bank Street, Regent, Whangārei 0112, New Zealand · motelsix-whangarei.co.nz
30 Mill Road, Regent, Whangārei 0112, New Zealand · stonehavenmotel.co.nz
22 Wolfe Street, Regent, Whangārei 0112, New Zealand · aaroncourtmotel.co.nz
67 Kamo Road, Regent, Whangārei 0112, New Zealand · continentalmotel.co.nz
118 Maunu Road, Raumanga, Whangārei 0110, New Zealand · motelvilladelrio.co.nz
100 Kamo Road, Kensington, Whangārei 0112, New Zealand · burgundyrosemotel.co.nz
260 Kamo Road, Whau Valley, Whangārei 0112, New Zealand · kingswoodmanormotel.co.nz
26 Western Hills Drive, Whau Valley, Whangārei 0112, New Zealand · motelsierra.co.nz
54 Otaika Road, Woodhill, Whangārei 0110, New Zealand · centralcourt.co.nz
56-58 Riverside Drive, Riverside, Whangārei 0112, New Zealand · hotelscheck-in.com
Where things are
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping
base map © OSM
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
Tourist season
October – March
The warmer, longer-day half of the southern-hemisphere year.
Shoulder season
April – May, September
Milder and quieter, with better value.
Worth avoiding
June – August
The southern winter — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Whangarei Airport (WRE); 4 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: WRE has direct flights to 2 destinations on 1 airline (incl. Auckland, Wellington).
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Whangarei, NZ. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.
Trains & rail
National rail
Coaches & shuttles
Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Tours & experiences
Sightseeing