Whangārei Art Museum

Bay of Islands & Northland


Whangārei's public gallery has an interesting permanent collection, but the two large gallery spaces usually house temporary exhibitions by regional and sometimes international artists in partnership with Wellington's Te Papa.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Bay of Islands & Northland attractions

1. Clapham’s National Clock Museum

0.05 MILES

This charming collection of 1600 ticking, gonging and cuckooing timepieces is housed in a building shaped as a sundial. There are all manner of kooky and…

2. Te Kākano

0.09 MILES

Fans of the late Austrian-born architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser will instantly recognise his influence in this colourful, irregularly shaped, one…

3. Pou

0.45 MILES

Set between Whangarei's old and new library buildings is this intriguing sculpture consisting of 10 large poles carved with Māori, Polynesian, Celtic,…

4. Botanica

0.53 MILES

Native ferns, tropical plants and cacti are displayed in this little council-run fernery and conservatory, set on the edge of cute Cafler Park. The park…

5. Quarry Arts Centre

0.81 MILES

An eccentric village of artists’ studios and co-operative galleries where you can often pick up well-priced art and craft.

6. Whangārei Quarry Gardens

1.27 MILES

Green-fingered volunteers have transformed this old quarry into a blissful community park with a lake, waterfalls, pungent floral aromas, wild bits,…

7. Abbey Caves

2.01 MILES

Abbey Caves is an undeveloped network of three caverns full of glowworms and limestone formations, 6km east of town. Take a torch, strong shoes, a mate…

8. AH Reed Memorial Kauri Park

2.17 MILES

A grove of immense 500-year-old kauri trees has been preserved in this lush tract of native bush, where a cleverly designed boardwalk leads you…