What to do and see in Whangarei, North Island: The Best Museums

Creative Kiwi Arts and Crafts is both a Gallery and Gift Store and a Working Studio for Artists and Crafts People. A place where visitors young and old can come to interact with artists and crafts people, watch them at work and to learn about the various crafts. Come see glass artists, wood turners, painters, illustrators, clay artists, bone carvers, sculptures and many more. We offer 100% New Zealand made Arts & Crafts made by New Zealand artists.

No visit to the southern hemisphere is complete without a tour of the evening sky. We are fortunate to have our closest neighbouring star, and the nearest galaxy, visible to the unaided eye - if you know where to look. Our Planetarium displays the sky perfectly no matter what the weather is doing outside. We have 5000 stars ready to admire and a wealth of knowledge to show you how to find your direction, perhaps even to read the time using the stars above. And visitors to the Planetarium have the added treat of using our telescopes after the main program if weather conditions allow.

Art Gallery with lots of Northland Art and new exhibitions every 3 months.

Museum ● Kiwi House ● Heritage Park A multifaceted visitor experience with something for everyone in one very special place. The only kiwi and tuatara viewing in a controlled environment in the Northland region. Learn why our environment and it's animals are so unique and special. The Museum tells the stories of our people and their place, plus some travelling exhibitions. All this is on a beautiful 25 hectare site with it's original 1886 heritage homestead an other historic buildings. Room to stroll and stretch the legs, fresh air and space for the kids to run. Relax with us in this uncrowded family friendly environment, only 4kms from the SH1 and about 7 kms from the Whangarei CBD. Open every day, 10am to 4pm, except 25th and 26th December. All welcome.

Whangārei Art Museum is Northland's premier public art gallery, and the custodian of the city's outstanding art collection. Whangārei Art Museum (WAM) hosts touring and internally curated exhibitions, and showcases artistic excellence in creative art practice throughout Northland, New Zealand and beyond. The museum’s own collection contains heritage and contemporary artworks, and several significant bequest collections. As kaitiaki (guardians/custodians), WAM conserves the collection to New Zealand Museum Standards Scheme. This ensures the artworks in our care are optimally preserved - so current and future generations can explore our rich cultural heritage and new artistic ideas. FREE to visit, and open daily 10am-4pm. We’d love to welcome you soon.

The Packard Motor Museum has one of the largest collections of Packard automobiles anywhere in the world as well as classic motor cycles, military and other vintage and rare vehicles. Our special exhibits include our log-hauling steam locomotive, steam traction engines and earth-moving equipment that literally shaped New Zealand into the country it is today. Our Mission and Purpose The Packard Motor Museum provides an informative educational experience based around the automobiles, machinery, stories and lives of those who led the industrial revolution and created and shaped our modern way of life. We also honour the legacy of resourceful New Zealanders who developed our Kiwi traditions of ingenuity, adaptation and innovation. Our purpose is to inspire current generations to create an even greater future for us all.