Whangaroa area
Located in the Northland region
Introduction
From mangroves to a Maori pa site, Whangaroa in the Bay of Islands offers visitors a number of interesting places to visit. Motukawanui Island is accessed from here.A stunning area to explore by boat, there are also a number of walks and tramps available. Visit some of the area’s archaeological sites and the memorial for the Rainbow Warrior at Matauri Bay.
Find things to do and places to stay Whangaroa area
With its unique rock formation, the area is very distinctive and a beautiful place to explore by boat.
Pekapeka Bay offers good fishing.
Whangaroa Harbour lies on the east coast, north of Kerikeri. You can access this unique area from the many small roads that branch off State Highway 10.
Dogs, fires and camping are not permitted in the reserves.
Whangaroa is characterised by unique landforms and outstanding scenery. The harbour features spectacular rocky bluffs and prominent ridge systems of eroded volcanoes clad in some of the last diverse coastal conifer/broadleaf/kauri forest in New Zealand.
Pekapeka Bay is a place with spectacular cliffs and rock formations with some fine regenerating forest.
Several threatened plants such as Calystegia marginata, Pimelea tomentosa and Coprosma neglecta spp “Whangaroa” can be found in the area.
The harbour contains small but important areas of mangrove/saltmarsh wetlands and tidal rivers with banded rail and fernbird.
The open coast is characterised by rocky headlands such as the Mahinepua Peninsula, sandy beaches, and the numerous islands of the Cavalli Group. Motukawanui Island, the largest island of the Cavalli group is highly modified but has high restoration potential.
Typical of rich coastal areas, a wide variety of defended and undefended pa, archaic middens, terraces, gardening systems, urupa, wahi tapu and other archaeological features are present. Read about archaeological sites on Mahinepua peninsula.
Sites associated with early Maori/European contact include the remains of the ‘Boyd’ buried in the harbour mud. Read more about the 'Boyd' and historic Ranfurly Bay Scenic Reserve.
Kauri milling and ship building are long established industries and one of the last kauri sawmills and shipyards, operated by Lanes & Sons for over a century, can be seen at Totara North.
The ‘Rainbow Warrior’ lies at rest off Matauri Bay with a memorial on a nearby pa.
Stop kauri disease and protect kauri
- Scrub all soil off shoes and gear.
- Use cleaning stations.
- Always stay on the track.
Contacts
| Pewhairangi / Bay of Islands Office | |
| Phone: | +64 9 407 0300 |
| Fax: | +64 4 471 1117 |
| Email: | bayofislands@doc.govt.nz |
| Address: |
34 Landing Road Kerikeri 0230 |
| Postal Address: |
PO Box 128 Kerikeri 0245 |
| Full office details | |