Northland Journals

Whangarei and Beyond

Best of IgoUgo

A June 2006 trip to Northland by auskiwi

Porcellian Pieces Photo - Northland, New Zealand

Quote: The most northern city in New Zealand, Whangarei, has a relaxing, surf lifestyle feel about it.

31 Photos

Whangarei and Beyond

Overview

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There are a number of galleries and arts-and-crafts places within Whangarei township itself, and even more are scattered throughout the Northland countryside, one of those being the Blueshore Gallery at Tauikura, Whangarei Heads, a great little gallery with a great collection of different works, in all medias, by local artists. The Zion Wildlife Gardens, in Kamo, Whangarei, is a wildlife sanctuary for big cats, of all varieties, and is a popular attraction offering guided tours that can include physical encounters with tiger and lion cubs and opportunities of being photographed with larger cats. It is a great way to spend a couple of hours.The scenery in Northland is fantastic,...Read More

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Zion Wildlife Gardens

Attraction

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Want an up close and personnel experience with very large pussy cats? Well the Zion Wildlife Gardens is the place to go.Set in the Northland countryside the Zion Wildlife Gardens is a park devoted to lions, tigers and other wildcats and the continued survival of these species.We had the best time playing with Khan, a small white tiger cub, in his enclosure. He was beautiful with his lovely white coat with black stripes and he was playful like a small kitten but with much larger teeth. His love bites were reasonably gentle and never broke the skin.Khan’s father and mother were located not far from him as was an additional couple of males. These guys are big and we only got to vi...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on July 6, 2006

Zion Wildlife Gardens
Gray Road
Northland, New Zealand
+64 (9) 435 0110

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Whangarei Heads

Attraction

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While in Whangarei we stayed with Dale’s sister, Sharon, up from Ocean Beach, out at Whangarei Heads. Wow what a beautiful, peaceful location to have a house. The view of the ocean and countryside was fantastic. With blue ocean waters with waves that crashed down on the white sandy beaches and green sloping fields and bushy hills lapping at the bottom of the high reaching summits of Mount Manaia and other rocky ranges.No crowds on the beach or on the roads – although the numbers do pick up a bit in summer but not by much – you’ll still have plenty of sand between you and the next person/people.No foreign noises such as those emitted from buses or other, alternative, forms...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on July 11, 2006

Whangarei Heads
North Side of Whangarei Harbour
Northland, New Zealand

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Blueshore Gallery

Attraction

Quote:

Would ya like to purchase a painting, of a local scene of the Northland area, or perhaps a sculpture depicting a subject featured in the local culture or maybe you just need your new painting or print framed?The Blueshore Gallery is the place to come.The Gallery is only a small gallery situated on the main road passing through Taurikura, Whangarei Heads. There are several beautifully crafted pieces of sculpture - large porcelain sea eggs, wooden bowls inlaid with woven flax and hand woven flax flowers are just a few of these - on show that are available for purchasing.Hanging on the walls are numerous paintings, sketches and textiles. A number of the paintings are of ba...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on July 13, 2006

Blueshore Gallery
Whangarei Heads
Taurikura, New Zealand
+64 (9) 434 0537

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Auckland Museum (Tamaki Paenga Hira)

Attraction | "Tamaki Paenga Hira - Auckland Museum "

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A great way to spend half a day or longer in Auckland, or, indeed, any other main city centre, is to visit the local museum, in this case The Auckland Museum.

It is a great way to discover interesting information about the history of the Maori people, the Pacific Island nations, the European people that colonized New Zealand, native New Zealand wildlife, New Zealand’s wartime history, and, of course, a bit of natural history.

For an entry price of $5, you have the pleasure of wondering around three levels at your leisure, taking in the many displays and artifacts on offer.

The Ground Level has an extensive display of Pacific Island and Maori relics and treasures, including a full-size Maori meeting house and waka (Maori canoe), green stone tikis, weapons (meres and the like), and elaborate carvings, just to name a few.

On the ground level there are also two sections where traveling shows are displayed--when we were there, they were setting up a Vikings display and an Applied Arts display.

Level 1 is where you’ll find many interesting displays of New Zealand’s natural history, including a coastal and ocean display, a volcanic display (showing all the volcanoes that Auckland is built on or that surround the local area), a wildlife display, (both extinct and existing wildlife), a great section on the Maori natural history, and a section where children can go and get a hands-on experience.

The top level, Level 2, has the War Memorial, including the Hall of Memories, displays dedicated to all the wars New Zealand Troup’s have served in, a small section about the Holocaust, and a section depicting what Auckland looked like in 1866.

This last area, Auckland in 1866, is set out like a replica streetscape of that time with many shopfronts and shops, of the types that would have been around at that time, decked out with the items that you probably could have purchased.

If you get a bit peckish, the Ground Level also has a fully equipped café offering a large assortment of hot and cold foods and drinks, even full-cooked breakfasts, all very yummy and reasonably priced, though maybe not the cheapest around. Read Less

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on July 27, 2006

Auckland Museum (Tamaki Paenga Hira)
Auckland Domain
Parnell, Auckland, New Zealand

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Beaches (General)

Attraction | "Kite Boarding"

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Are you into the one of the latest sports out--kite boarding? Well, Auckland is a great place to pursue this pastime. There are plenty of bays and beaches, with varying types of water conditions to select from, so long as the wind conditions are right. There are many small bays with flat, calm waters or slightly choppy waters with small white-water crests. Then there are surf beaches with varying sized waves. The choice is yours.Dale’s nephew, Colin, has given him a kite so he can bring it back to Australia to give the sport a go--and he is as keen as. While we were in Auckland, Dale joined Colin at one of the many northern suburbs bays on the Saturday before we...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on July 27, 2006

Beaches (General)

Auckland, New Zealand