Whangarei and Tutukaka Coast visitor activities easily accessible from your accommodation at Lupton Lodge:
Water activities such as scuba diving, boat trips, deep sea fishing and sea kayaking are very popular in summer and should be booked in advance to avoid disappointment. Zion Wildlife Gardens must be booked in advance at all times.
If you would like us to make any activity reservations for you prior to arriving at Lupton Lodge we are happy to organise them for you.
Click here to see more photos of Whangarei Attractions and Tutukaka Coast Attractions
Scuba Diving – Poor Knights, wreck diving (HMNZS Waikato & HMNZS Tui), night diving. The Poor Knights Islands were named by Jacques Cousteau as one of the world’s top 10 dive locations. The islands are a marine reserve below water and a wildlife reserve above water. The islands are located 23km off the coast of Tutukaka.
A Perfect Day - Full day sightseeing & snorkeling trip to the Poor Knights Islands. This relaxing trip includes lunch, snorkeling and kayaking at The Poor Knights Islands. The cruise takes in breathtaking scenery, marine life, sea birds, native flora and a historical account of the islands – all aboard the purpose built multi-deck “Perfect Day” cruise boat. Departure point: Tutukaka Marina (20 mins drive from Lupton Lodge), 11am daily (some schedule variations occur so advance bookings are recommended).
Whangarei Town Basin – a great place for a bite to eat, a spot of shopping, entertainment for the kids, perusing international yachts or a picturesque riverside stroll to the start of the Whangarei Harbour. The Town Basin is located in the centre of Whangarei City and has plenty of free parking on site.
Whangarei Falls, AH Reed Memorial Kauri Walkway and Mair Park – 5 minutes drive from Lupton Lodge are the dramatic Whangarei Falls. You can either view these from above, take a short walk to the bottom or enjoy a longer 1 hour round-trip bush walk to the AH Reed Kauri Walkway. Mair Park and Mt Parahaki are also enjoyable extensions to this walking route if you have extra time and love walking in the New Zealand bush.
Beaches – The Tutukaka Coast and Whangarei Heads are adorned with stunning selection of white sandy beaches for swimming, walking or surfing including: Whale Bay, Wellington Bay (Whangaumu Bay), Ngunguru, Matapouri, Woolleys Bay, Sandy Bay, Ocean Beach and Kauri Mountain Beach
Walking – Whangarei has a wide range of native bush and coastal walkways available free to the public. A selection of these include: AH Reed Kauri Park & Whangarei Falls, Mair Park/Mt Parahaki, Quarry Gardens, Abbey Caves, Whale Bay/Matapouri and Mt Manaia. We can provide you with information on Whangarei walking tracks when you arrive at Lupton Lodge.
Local Art – The Whangarei region is home to some of New Zealand’s most talented artists. Their work is on display in the following locations: Quarry Craft Co-op, Reyburn House, Whangarei Art Museum, The Bach, Burning Issues Gallery, Glenbervie Pottery, Helena Bay Gallery, Parua Bay Gallery
Restaurants & Cafes – Whangarei and the Tutukaka Coast have a wide range of great cafes and restaurants to suit all taste buds and budgets, many focusing on seafood and local New Zealand specialities. See our list of recommended restaurants including award winning a Deco Restaurant and iconic Schnappa Rock in Tutukaka.
Gardens – Whangarei Quarry Gardens is a charming community based project created by passionate volunteers. They have successfully transformed an old quarry into a sub-tropical paradise including waterfalls, walkways, picnic areas and a lake – all surrounded by native plants and trees and other sub-tropical specimens. Other local gardens also include Botanica, Cafler Park Rose Gardens and Tawapou Coastal Natives.
Whangarei Kiwi House, Heritage Park & Museum – great for wet days, dry days, families, train enthusiasts and anyone keen to see a live kiwi
Golf – Whangarei has 5 excellent golf courses, with many others easily accessible throughout Northland from Lupton Lodge. For a list of Northland golf courses click here
Adventure Forest - Glenbervie Forest tree based adventure. Climb on amazing circuits rigged from tree to tree. Grab a rope, jump, roll or swing in the air to reach the next platform, it’s awesome! Weekends, public and school holidays: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Weekdays by appointment only.
Fishing & exploring the coastline and islands by boat
Sea Kayaking - guided Ngunguru Inlet and Tutukaka Coast kayaking and kayak hire
Surfing – Sandy Bay, Ngunguru Bar, Ocean Beach (Whangarei Heads), Waipu Cove
Surfing Lessons & Board Hire – Tutukaka Surf Company (Ngunguru)
Whangarei Native Bird Recovery Centre – open 10.30am-4pm Mon-Fri for visitors, however we recommend that you phone in advance to confirm accessibility
Tours - Pupurangi Hire & Tour (Town Basin), Maori Tours (depart Town Basin daily)
Horse Riding at Whananaki (Tutukaka Coast) or Waipu (Bream Bay)
Wineries – Longview Estate (Whangarei), Marsden Estate, Cottle Hill Winery (Keri Keri), AkeAke (Waimate North), Omata Estate (Russell), Okahu Estate (Kaitaia), KariKari Estate (KariKari Peninsula)
Arts & Crafts Workshops – Raku Pottery, Quarry Craft Co-op
Beauty Treatments – pamper yourself with a massage or facial from our mobile beauty therapist
Cinema - Whangarei multiplex cinema
Events, Festivals, Shows, Sport and Concerts in the Whangarei District
Click here for a list of Whangarei and Tutukaka Coast activities suitable for kids
Whangarei Shopping
Markets - a fresh local produce Growers Market is held in the carpark on Waters Street, Whangarei every Saturday morning from about 6am-10am. The Bay of Islands Farmers Market is held every Sunday morning in the Books 7 More Carpark, Kerikeri. Other markets include Artisans Markets over summer (on the Town Basin Canopy Bridge) and the ArtBeat and Easter Markets in the Rose Gardens/Cafler Park, Whangarei (view our events calendar for a full list of markets).
Supermarket - Countdown – Tikipunga, Woolworths and New World – Kensington
Local produce – Huanui Orchard (2.5km West of Lupton Lodge), Saturday morning Growers Market (see above)
Gifts, art and crafts – Town Basin, Quarry Craft Co-op, Glenbervie Pottery, Raku Pottery, Parua Bay Gallery, Helena Bay Gallery
Dive equipment – Dive HQ, Whangarei
