Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(
www.quarryarts.org
;
21 Selwyn Ave; 9.30am-4.30pm)
An eccentric village of artists' studi-
os and co-operative galleries where you can often pick up well-priced art and craft.
Kingdom of Zion
( 09-435 0110;
www.kingdomofzion.co.nz
;
Gray Rd, Kamo; adult/child/family from $60/25/150; 9am-5pm)
An essential destination if you're a fan of big cats, with more than 30 lions, tigers, chee-
tahs and leopards. A variety of tours is available - most popular is the Feed Tour (adult/
child $80/30) - and there are also behind-the-scenes opportunities to meet the cats. King-
dom of Zion is around 9km northwest of Whangarei. A return shuttle bus ($25) leaves
from the Town Basin daily at 1.15pm.
ZOO
Activities
The free
Whangarei Walks
brochure, available from the i-SITE (
Click here
)
, has maps and
detailed descriptions of some excellent local tracks. The
Hatea River Walk
follows the river
from the Town Basin to the falls (three hours return). Longer tracks head through
Parihaka
Reserve
, which is just east of the Hatea River and encompasses the remnants of a volcanic
cone (241m) and a major
pa
(fortified village) site. The city is spread out for inspection
from the lookout at the top, which is accessible by car. Other tracks head through
Corona-
tion Scenic Reserve
, an expanse of bush immediately west of the centre that includes two
pa
sites and abandoned quarries.
Skydive Ballistic Blondes
( 0800 695 867;
www.skydiveballisticblondes.co.nz
; 12,000ft tandem $320)
Not only is this the oddest-
named skydiving outfit in the country, it's also the only one licensed to land on the beach
(Ocean Beach or Paihia).
SKYDIVING
Pacific Coast Kayaks
( 09-436 1947;
www.nzseakayaking.co.nz
;
hire 4/8hr $60/80, tours $40-130)
Hires kayaks and offers
guided paddles to various Whangarei region locations.
KAYAKING
Tours
Pupurangi Hire & Tour
MAP
CULTURAL TOUR
GOOGLE MAP
