From CaptainWiki

Warm in welcome and climate, Whangarei is a vibrant, modern city at the center of a district known for its superb beaches, lush green countryside, and quality of life. The city of 45,000 people lies nestled amid rain-forest clad hills at the western end of a large, picturesque and bountiful harbour. Along the upper reaches of this harbour are a range of facilities for seafarers that are second to none. At the upper most marina, which locals call The Town Basin, you can walk off your boat and be downtown in five minutes.   There are few places in the world which cater for cruising yachts in this way, Banks, chandlers, libraries, laundromats, doctors, cinemas, bars, restaurants, and most other modern day conveniences are within strolling distance. At the same time, a full range of marine services is available. Whether you are a complete do-it-yourself cruising operation or "turn-key" cruisers, Whangarei has you covered. Most boatyards are happy for owners to participate in maintenance projects, while several offer a secure service of either boat minding or refitting while owners are absent. More and more visiting yachties are choosing the option of having work completed in the city while they explore the rest of New Zealand.

Whangarei has a strong tradition of boat building and shipping. In pre-European times Maori plied the waters in canoes stone adzed from massive trees felled in the surrounding hills. Next on the scene were the boat builders who arrived with early European settlers. The huge harbour with ample nearby timber supplies was a natural site for building the dinghies and small sailing ships that were the only form of transport between many of the early coastal settlements. In its more recent history Whangarei has added to its reputation for wooden boat work by embracing the use of modern high-tech materials as these have been developed. When you step ashore in the port of Whangarei today you will find contemporary build and repair facilities for vessels ranging from super yachts and war ships to sailing dinghies and inflatables.

The greater Whangarei district, population 66,700, extends from Langs Beach in the south to Bland Bay in the north. This coastline boasts some of the finest beaches in the country, and, as if placed on the map just for cruising yachts, the district is conveniently located on the outer fringe of the magnificent Hauraki Gulf and within an easy day’s sail from the acclaimed Bay of Islands. In short, Whangarei is at the epicenter of the North Island’s famed east coast cruising grounds. In fact the name Whangarei translates from the Maori language as "Cherished Harbour". Just a few miles outside the harbour entrance are the Hen and Chickens Islands and a few more miles to the north is the picturesque Tutukaka Coast, where a safe marina nestles behind a big entrance rock less than a kilometer from the open Pacific. Distant view of the Hen and Chicks Islands taken from Kauri Mountain beach just North of Whangarei.

Only 20 minutes from Whangarei city by road , Tutukaka offers a laid back option for boat owners wanting to do minor works or provisioning or just enjoy a more country atmosphere. Close to good fishing, spectacular coastal walks and surf beaches, Tutukaka also has a selection of cafes and bars. The Tutukaka marina is home port to a small fleet of dive and fishing charter boats. Twelve miles offshore the Poor Knights Islands marine reserve is rated as one of the world’s top dive locations. These islands offer scores of different dives in clear oceanic water, where a warmer Pacific current nudges near sheer underwater cliffs nurturing an amazing array of colourful marine life. The fishing charters include line fishing and big game action, with striped marlin a special target during the summer months and freshly caught snapper a culinary delight year round. View of Ngunguru Estuary. Ngunguru is just south of Tutukaka Harbour.

Just a two hour drive, or a 40 minute flight, north of Auckland, the Whangarei district enjoys an average of 2,000 hours of sunshine a year. With an annual rainfall of 1555 mm this results in a near sub-tropical climate in which to enjoy the stunning beaches, incredible coastal scenery, and wide variety of aquatic adventures, all within a 30 minute drive of the city center. In the heart of the city, Quayside at the Town Basin is a delightful waterside cluster. Modern landscaping and contemporary "colonial" architecture, a marina and parts of the original wharf where sailing ships once tied up, set the tone for this popular gathering place in the Pacific for yachties of all nationalities. Visitors and locals mingle, socialise and do business in the unique atmosphere; a variety of cafes, restaurants, museums, art galleries and speciality shops line the waterfront.

For those who enjoy the outdoors there are four superb golf courses within ten minutes of the city, and colourful urban parks offer leisurely walks. Rural and coastal reserves open up unspoiled rain forest and ocean vistas to hikers and bikers of all levels.

For those with children, or just a thirst for learning, Whangarei has a number of excellent schools, from kindergarten to High School levels and also boasts a Polytechnic covering a wide range of subjects, up to and including degrees in nursing and education. Other aspects of Whangarei life worth considering include an active live theatre group, a small concert venue at Forum North that regularly features visiting musicians and artists, a heated indoor swimming pool close to the Town Basin and a modern children’s playground close to the Marina. Details at www.whangareimarine.co.nz