Whangarei Town Basin

Located in the centre of Whangarei city, the Town Basin includes a picturesque marina, outdoor area, galleries, shops, cafes, restaurants and a playground.

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.

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.

Whangarei Town Basin walkway takes about 20 minutes each way and is a flat walk following the river downstream to the start of the Whangarei Harbour. At the end is the Waka and Wave Sculpture by Chris Booth and Te Warihi Hetaraka. The walkway starts at the playground and follows the the river southwards.

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.

A high quality selection of local Northland arts and crafts and New Zealand souvenirs are available at the Whangarei Town Basin.  Whils you're there don't miss Reyburn Gallery, Burning Issues Gallery, The Bach (craft co-operative shop) and Clapham's Clock Museum.

You can also hire paddle boats, visit the nearby Whangarei Aquatic Centre or walk up to Mair Park and the Whangarei Falls through a native bush reserve whilst you are in the area.

Plenty of free parking is available at the Town Basin – to get there follow the signs from SH1 or drive southwards down Hatea Drive from the Whangarei Falls/Tutukaka Coast.