Whangarei town basin is a top visitor destination with restaurants, cafes, galleries, shops and places to visit. Whangarei’s town basin is beautifully choreographed, by the Hatea walkway to capture the best viewpoints. Visitors can easily navigate themselves to top attractions such as Hundertwasser Art Centre, the kids playground or a nearby cafe on the wide firm pathways.
Explore the Hatea walkway along its 4.2 km length. The walkway is one of New Zealand’s premier urban spaces. The walkway offers visitors and locals accessibility for all mobility levels with plenty of open spaces to accommodate large numbers of people.
Whangarei’s town basin, the Hatea walkway smorgasbord of entertainment includes the joy of farmers markets and public events using the wide open spaces for pop up events.
- Stroll along the Hatea shared pathway and absorb the story of human occupation.
- Indulge in a melting ice cream, hire a scooter, walk or jog along the shared pathway.
- Check out the National Clock Museum to check out all things ticking.
- Go souvenir shopping in the Reyburn Gallery & Shop.
- Kids discover a pocket sized playground where even Dad or your Uncle can join you on the swing.
- Click on the views from the Hatea walkway for a personalised selfie moment.
- Dogs are allowed on a leash.
WHANGAREI TOWN BASIN & HATEA PATHWAY LOCATION
Hatea Loop (Huarahi o-te Whai) Pathway of Opportunity key facts:
- 4.2 km loop concrete walk along both sides of the Whangarei River
- Width 2.5 metres
- Designed to accommodate strolling pedestrians, kids on bikes, pets and their owners, scooters, bikes and wheelchairs
- Toilet facilities along the entire route
- Dogs allowed on leash with a dog agility park
- Putahi park playground
- Family-friendly skatepark and BMX track
- Loop circles both sides of the Whangarei River and connects Town Basin, Te Matau a Pohe Bridge, William Fraser Memorial Park, Kotuitui Whitianga bridge, Canopy Bridge, Clapham Clocks, playground, Reyburn House gallery, Riverbank Theatre and Hundertwasser Art Centre complex
WHANGAREI TOWN BASIN & HATEA PATHWAY PLACES OF INTEREST
- Te Matau a Pohe Bridge,
- Kotuitui Whitianga bridge
- Victoria Canopy bridge
- Riverbank theatre
- Reyburn House & Art Gallery
- Town basin marina village
- Town Basin Public Playground
- Camera obscura
- Whangarei town basin parking locations
- Cafes and restaurants
Whangarei Bridges on Hatea Loop Pathway
Victoria Canopy Bridge
In 1939, it was originally designed for vehicular access across the Whangarei River. Today the bridge is pedestrian friendly with foot / cycle traffic only. A river themed canopy and events and craft markets make the bridge a place of entertainment on summer weekends. The bridge entertainment and markets happily complements the nearby Town Basin precinct Saturday farmers market.
Te Matau a Pohe Movable Bridge
Outstanding architectural statement for Whangarei. The raised arms are a homage to traditional Maori agricultural tools, the digging stick.
Kotuitui Whitanga Cycle and Foot Bridge
Whangarei Hatea Loop Art Installations
Camera Obscura
Striking bold installation of weathered steel and steel sculptured wall is home to an interactive camera obscura on the eastern side of Te Matau ā Pohe. Camera Obscura is in stark contrast to the grass berm and concrete pathway.
Whangarei Hatea Loop Sculptures
Traditionally Maori used the Whangarei harbour as a food resource, a place for trade and to access the interior. The Hatea loop has a series of large prominently displayed panels narrating the story of human occupation and the river.
Read the panels and check out the name of the artist whose nearby art installation adds richness to the story of the Whangarei River and its inhabitants.
Check both sides of the panels as each side tells a different story.
Whangarei Town Basin Parking Locations
The Hātea Loop (Huarahi o te Whai) can be accessed from a variety of points. There is parking at Town Basin car parks, Bascule Carpark, and Pohe Island Carpark.
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