Just a 30min easy walk from Chelsea House, the Whangarei Town Basin has everything you need: restaurants, cafés and interesting shops to wander around, plus the sculpture trail walk. It’s also the site of Claphams National Clock Museum and the Whangarei Art Museum. Recently completed is the Hundertwasser Art Centre and the Rolling Ball Clock (best time for viewing the clock is 1pm)
You can't miss the unique Hundertwasser Art Centre with 50 original Hundertwasser works on loan from Vienna, only one of two galleries in the world, The other being in Vienna. Also housed in the building is the Wairau Māori Art Gallery, Aqua Restaurant, a small cinema, gift shop and a forested roof top.
An interactive sculptural structure, looking at Whangarei's award winning Te Macau a Pohe Bascule Bridge is sited on the Hatea Loop walk. Entering the dramatic structure to arrive in a camera obscura room, you will experience the bridge and environment in a new way. A camera obscura is a box or room with a hole in one side. Light from an external scene passes through the hole and strikes a surface inside, where it is reproduced, upside-down, because light travels in a straight line from its source,but with colour and perspective preserved.
A subtropical climate and remnants of ancient volcanoes rise up from the deep harbour. There is a variety of walks ranging from an easy stroll along the beach to a challenging hike up and along the unique heritage Bream Head Scenic Reserve Ridge. Whangarei heads is one of only five kiwi sanctuaries in NZ. Our tracks cross conservation reserves and council land, with all plants and birds protected for the enjoyment of all.
The A.H. Reed Memorial Park is a magnificent remnant of the original Northland kauri forest. Maturing kauri trees known to be at least 500 years old can be easily viewed close up from a raised walkway through the forest canopy. The bubbling Wai Koromiko Stream runs through the middle of the park and the Paranui Falls, at over 23 metres high, are well worth a visit. Just av5 minute drive from Chelsea House.
The Northern beaches simply have to be seen to be believed! The coast boasts the finest beaches and scenery. This is the base for the famous Poor Knights Islands diving experience and Deep Sea Fishing. A number of our guests have taken boat trips out to the Poor Knights Islands, a marine sanctuary which were rated by the famous Jacques Cousteau. The beautiful beaches of Matapouri and Whale Bay are closeby.
The beautiful Bay of Islands is just a 1.25 hour easy drive from Whangarei. In a day you can take a cruise on Explore 'Discover the Bay' cruise to the famous Hole in the Rock, or lunch in the historical village of Russell. Visit the Waitangi Treaty house to learn about the beginning of New Zealand as a colony and return to Chelsea House. (http://www.exploregroup.co.nz)
On your way to Whangarei or you way back to Auckland, its worth taking the 13km journey from State Highway 1 to the Waipu Caves. On arrival at the caves its a short walk to the cave entrance and then the fun and adventures begin. You will need a head torch and some old shoes that you don't mind getting wet. There are lots of glow worms and you may even come across an eel swimming in the stream.
Check out thesebwebsites to see what there is on offer in our area. Whangareinz https://whangareinz.com/holiday/discover/walks
We are happy to arrange local and nationwide activities for you.
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