Art, Wine & Food in Whangarei
With autumn here and winter not too far away, what could be better than a subtropical getaway in Northland’s stunning gateway city, Whangarei. This vibrant city makes an ideal weekend destination with more than 100 bays and beaches in easy reach, along with fantastic art, wine and food to enjoy.
Just a couple of minutes from the city centre is Whangarei Town Basin and it’s a great place to begin exploring. The bustling modern marina has a cluster of quayside specialty shops, galleries, museums and arts and crafts to explore, or relax and enjoy the harbour views from the al fresco cafes and restaurants.
Art is a vital thread in the Whangarei community, and you’ll find all manner of successful painters, potters, weavers, carvers and sculptures inspired by the city’s beautiful surroundings. You can check out the many outlets around the city and down at the Town Basin including art studios, jewellers, glass blowers and a glass bead making studio. Options include Clapham’s Clock Museum, which has the largest collection of clocks in the
Southern Hemisphere; Steve Haywood Master Jeweller; Reyburn House Art Gallery; artisans co-op The Bach; Whangarei Art Museum, the Annie Rose Ltd glass bead making studio, the Tuatara Design Store & Gallery, Bank Street Gallery and the Quarry Arts Centre on Selwyn Ave, where the resident artists’ studios are open to the public.
For a taste of the region’s gourmet treats and farm fresh produce, join the early birds at the popular
Whangarei Growers’ Market on Saturdays at the Water Street car park. About 4000 people come here each Saturday from 6.30-10.30am, to buy and sell a huge range of locally grown and made produce. You’ll find organic fruit and vegetables, herbs, flowers, plant seedlings, meat, eggs, bread, handcrafted cheese, freshly roasted coffee and gourmet produce including olive oils, preserves, pickles, jams, honey and delicious baked goods. Other foodie outlets can be found on the Northland Food and Wine Trail, which features everything from chocolate factories and award-winning cheese makers to food excursions and artisan producers.
Wine lovers will especially enjoy tasting the local drops. Always a favourite is Longview Estate Vineyard and Winery at Otaika, near Whangarei. Enjoying panoramic views over Whangarei Harbour, the vineyard’s individual, handcrafted wines have won many accolades over the years including awards from the Air NZ Wine Awards, Liquorland Royal Easter Show, Winestate Magazine 
and Cuisine Magazine. The vineyard is open Monday to Saturday for tastings and cellar door sales.
If you need to walk off some of that indulgence, the picturesque Whangarei Falls make an ideal excursion. Just 5kms from the city centre, these impressive 26m falls cascade down over steep basalt cliffs. The falls are surrounded by the native bush of the AH Reed Kauri Park – a magnificent remnant of the original kauri forests that once covered much of Northland. You can take the canopy walkway for a bird’s-eye view of the forest.
Useful Information
Thanks to Destination Northland www.northlandnz.com for images and editorial.