International and New Zealand visitors to Whangarei looking for a bite to eat, a spot of shopping, entertainment for the kids or an easy riverside stroll should head to the Town Basin. The Whangarei Town Basin is only 12 minutes drive from your quality accommodation at Lupton Lodge in Glenbervie and just moments away from the centre of Whangarei City.
Eating at the Town Basin
Whangarei Town Basin is great for lunch or dinner, coffee or an ice cream on a hot summer’s day. There’s plenty of choice with several cafes and restaurants on site including including:
-
- Serenity Cafe (lunch)
- Riverside Cafe (lunch)
- Mokaba Cafe (lunch)
- The Quay (lunch & dinner)
- NZ Fudge Farm (coffee, ice cream & delicious treats)
Town Basin Art Trail
The Whangarei Town Basin Art Trail takes about 15 minutes each way and is a flat walkway following the river downstream to the start of the Whangarei Harbour. En route you will find a range of stunning local sculptures with an ocean theme, attractive information boards outlining the history of the area and plenty of park benches for sitting back and taking in the scenery. At the end is the Waka and Wave Sculpture by Chris Booth and Te Warihi Hetaraka. If you want to extend your walk carry on over the walking bridge to complete the 4.2km Hatea Loop Walkway.
This walkway starts at the playground and follows the the river southwards. There is plenty of parking available at the Town Basin.
Hatea Loop Walkway
The Hatea Loop walkway is a 4.2km flat walk suitable for all ages. The walkway starts at the Town Basin marina, follows along the Art Trail and continues over 2 attractive new bridges to the other side of the Hatea River. You then follow the path back to the Canopy Bridge where you re-enter the Town Basin. The walkway has attractive scenery and is mostly along the waterfront, away from the road, so great for families, couples or a solitary stroll. The path is ideal for walking, cycling running or pushing a stroller. You can hire bikes or scooters from opposite the playground at the Southern end of the Town Basin.
If you want to go further you can also extend to the walk by continuing on to the Mair Park and/or Mt Parihaka walkways or to Onerahi along the Waimahunga Track.
Whangarei Town Basin Shopping & Galleries
Whangarei and Northland are well renowned for having a thriving community of high quality artists and artisans. An excellent selection of unique local Northland arts and crafts and New Zealand souvenirs are available at the Whangarei Town Basin. Some of the shopping (or browsing) options include:
- Reyburn House Gallery
- Burning Issues Gallery
- The Bach
- NZ Fudge Farm
- Nautical Trenz
- Steve Haywood Jeweller
Parking is free at the Town Basin – follow the signs from SH1 or drive south down Hatea Drive from Lupton Lodge.
Whangarei Canopy Bridge Market
Over summer Artisan markets operate on the Town Basin Canopy Bridge most Saturdays. Whangarei is well-renowned for its creative artistic community. Local artists bring their unique wares for sale on the day along with live music and tasty international cuisine. It’s a bustling market in an attractive setting and can be followed with a visit to some of the Town Basin’s many galleries, a bite to eat or a stroll around the Hatea Loop Walkway.
Whangarei Visitor Activities at the Town Basin
- Clapham’s Clock Museum – a quirky and historically significant collection of over 400 clocks and music boxes from around the world housed in a purpose built museum. Open 9am – 5pm daily
- Whangarei Art Museum – located through the main doors of the HUB with regularly changing exhibitions including botth modern and classic art. Open Tue-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat/Sun 12-4pm
- Pupurangi Hire & Tour – walking, bike and waka ama tours commencing at the Town Basin. Hire of aquacycles, waka ama, kayaks, roller blades, bikes and scooters
- Whangarei Harbour Cruises – Sunday cruise to Limestone island along the Whangarei Harbour, commencing at the bridge end of the Town Basin
Activities for Kids at the Town Basin
Kids will enjoy the Town Basin playground with a wide choice of options for climbing, swinging, spinning and sliding suitable for ages 0-15+ years. The playground is surrounded by grass and trees and adjacent to the marina. There is plenty of parking on site and you can easily stroll over to the NZ Fudge Farm and ice cream shop when you need a break from playing.
More Activities for kids within walking distance of the Town Basin:
- Across the bridge from the Town Basin is the Whangarei Aquatic Centre including wave pool, water slides, toddler pool and spa.
- Event Cinemas are a multi cinema complex only 5 minute walk from the Town Basin
