Warkworth, New Zealand offers a variety of activities that suit all ages, tastes, and budgets. Located in the Rodney District in the Auckland region, the locale’s most prominent feature is the Mahurangi River which runs throughout its township.
From natural parks to restaurants, Warkworth allows tourists to experience that classic New Zealand vibe with its tourist attractions. What about worthwhile activities? Well, not a problem because the town’s got you covered. From delightful hiking adventures to learning some exciting stuff the New Zealander way, let me introduce you to some of the best things to do in Warkworth, New Zealand.
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1. Dive with New Zealand Diving
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Explore the depths of New Zealand and swim with dolphins and sharks. Whether you are a hobbyist or a novice, you can book a diving charter with New Zealand Diving as they offer training for all levels of dive. It is an activity designed to further boost the Warkworth tourism industry. While based in Warkworth, the charter will take you to the best dive sights in the country—from Hauraki Gulf to Hen and Chick Islands, Poor Knights, and Little and Great Barrier. There’s a lot to choose from.
New Zealand Diving
Address: 22 Whitaker Road, Warkworth, New Zealand
Opening Hours: Daily, 8:30 am – 6 am
Price: from 120 NZD (85.58 USD)
Contact: +64 94258517
Website: New Zealand Diving
2. Try out various sports at The Range
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
The Range is the place to go to in Auckland for all-weather fun for the whole family. It is an establishment that executes fun by offering golf, air rifle shooting, baseball/softball, cricket, and mini-golf in a comfortable atmosphere. Whether you have an eye and rhythm in aiming the target or are a total newbie in the range of sports that The Range provides, you will easily find your groove with its helpful and professional staff. There is also a dedicated event area in the facility for birthdays, reunions, and corporate events.
The Range is approximately 1.5 km (0.9 mi) south of Warkworth township and has easy access and enough parking space.
The Range Warkworth
Address: 1794 State Highway 1, RD3, Warkworth 0983
Website: The Range Warkworth
Opening hours: 9:30am - 7pm (daily)
3. Bike along the trails of Waihunga Moir Hill
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
For outdoor junkies, one of the advantages of being in a countryside location is the abundance of trail routes in the area. In Warkworth, Waihunga Moir Hill offers that convenience with its great forest setting and friendly terrain. It is a 2.4-km (1.5-mi) out and back trail route that is used primarily for hiking and biking. Set up in a native forest, the trail has shaded and well-maintained tracks with surprises of hillside views along the route.
Follow the trails up to the endpoint and witness Warkworth, Auckland, from another side.
Waihunga Moir Hill
Address: Warkworth 0981
Website: Waihunga Moir Hill
4. Ridge walking in Tawharanui Regional Park
With its very impressive grassy farm track, the vast Tawharanui Regional Park is best explored through ridge walking. The 10-kilometer (6 mile) trail has four points crossing towns of Warkworth and Matakana. Upon reaching the park, visitors can get a good view of Kawau Island and Whangaparaoa Bay. Although this trail is categorized as easy, hikers are encouraged to be mindful of the hazards, especially in areas with high rocky cliffs.
Tawharanui is open daily from 6 am to 9 pm. Remember that dogs are not allowed within the park.
Tawharanui Regional Park
Address: 1181 Takutu Road, Tawharanui, New Zealand
Opening Hours: Daily, 6 am – 9 pm
Duration: 2 hours one way
Contact: +64 93010101
Website: Tawharanui Regional Park
5. Learn the ropes in sheep farming at Sheep World
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Have you ever seen dogs leading a herd of sheep? Well, you can witness that astounding animal camaraderie in Sheep World, New Zealand’s sheep and wool center, one of the major Warkworth attractions. Locals hold live step-by-step demonstrations daily at 11 am and 2 pm on how they farm, harvest, and use wool. If you want to know more of New Zealand’s most important agricultural industry for 130 years, take a crash course on how to shear sheep’s fleece and turn them into incredible products. Rates start at 15 NZD (10.70 USD) only.
For tourists who adore products out of sheep’s fleece, you can go visit their shops for luxury Merino wool, premium quality sheepskin rugs and clothing, silky smooth possum fur, and a ton of other local handicrafts.
Sheep World
Address: 324 State Highway 1, Warkworth, New Zealand
Opening Hours: Daily, 9 am – 5 pm
Price: from 15 NZD (10.70 USD)
Duration: 1 day
Contact: +64 94257444
Website: Sheep World
6. Revisit the town’s past at Warkworth District Museum
Pay a visit to the Warkworth District Museum and learn more about the town’s history. Situated inside the Parry Kauri Park just south of town, take delight with the artifacts from the region’s colonial past, including rooms built in the 1920s and clothes that were worn by pioneering families between 1890 to the 1950s.
Take a side trip inside the park. In the vicinity of the museum stands one of the largest and oldest McKinney kauri trees—estimated to be 800 years old—remaining in the country. Admission is 3 NZD (2.14 USD) for children and 6 NZD (4.28 USD) for adults. The Warkworth District Museum is open daily from 10 am to 4 pm, except Christmas Day and Good Friday.
Warkworth Museum
Address: Parry Kauri Park, Tudor Collins Drive, Warkworth, New Zealand
Opening Hours: Daily, 10 am – 4 pm
Price: from 3 NZD (2.14 USD)
Contact: +64 94257093
Website: Warkworth Museum
7. Hike along the Te Araroa Trail through Dome Forest
Get your adrenaline pumping by hiking along the Te Araroa Trail (The Long Pathway) through the Dome Forest. This trail has the right amount of difficulty that inexperienced hikers can definitely get a thrill out of. From the base at the Dome Forest tearooms carpark to the conservation area, the trail stretches one kilometer (0.6 mi) under a canopy of podocarps, making it the perfect getaway for tourists who want to immerse into the beauty of nature. Don’t get too comfortable just yet because some of the trail is composed of steep steps.
On your way up, hikers get to enjoy a misty forest and listen to random birds singing and crickets chirping. Upon reaching the conservation area, you will get the most rewarding prize for the day’s hike—a stunning panoramic view of the Hauraki Gulf and Mahurangi Peninsula. The Te Araroa Trail goes on to Govan Wilson Road, so if you want to take the challenge a little further, you can track the Dome Walkway down until Govan Wilson Road in Matakana, which takes roughly seven hours. The walk to Govan Wilson Road encompasses sacrosanct areas so better stay on the track.
A friendly reminder: due to the kauri dieback disease that slowly kills the kauri trees in New Zealand, visitors are encouraged to help prevent this from going any further by staying away from their roots. Also, dogs are strictly prohibited in the forest just so you know. And don’t forget to clean your gear. As campers say, leave no trace.
Dome Forest
Access: Dome Forest tearooms carpark is located 7 km (4.3 mi) north of Warkworth along State Highway 1
Opening Hours: Daily, 6 am – 9 pm
Duration: 1 hour one way
Contact: +64 93796476
Website: Dome Forest
8. Horseback riding at Roger and Heath Mackenzie Shiloh Farm
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Horseback riding is another outdoor adventure that’s perfect for travelers with kids. The Roger and Heath Mackenzie Shiloh Farm makes horseback riding one of the best Warkworth activities to enjoy the scenic view of the town. For 50 NZD (35.66 USD), you can hop onto the horse for an hour with the help of your accommodating guides. Call +64 94258517 or email horseriding@xtra.co.nz for reservations.
The activity is open daily except for Christmas Day. Available schedules of the ride are 10 am, 11:30 am, 2 pm, and 3:30 pm.
Roger and Heath Mackenzie Shiloh Farm
Address: 42 Kaipara Flats Road, Warkworth, New Zealand
Opening Hours: Daily, 10 am – 5 pm
Price: from 50 NZD (35.66 USD)
Duration: 1 – 2 hours
Contact: +64 94258517
9. Taste New Zealand’s best wines at Matakana Coast Wine Country
Matakana is home to the best wines in the country. Have a taste of New Zealand’s best wines straight from the wineries at Matakana Coast Wine Country. Go wine-hopping and find classic red varieties of merlot, syrah, and cabernet, chardonnay, and pinot gris.
Suffice your artsy side and explore eateries, fashion boutiques, galleries, and gift stores at Matakana Village. Head over to the Matakana Farmers’ Market, especially on a Saturday, and score fresh produce, craft beer, artisanal cheese, home-spun spreads, and a lot more. Warkworth is the gateway to Matakana so access is never an issue.
Matakana Coast Wine Country
Address: 1 Baxter Street, Warkworth, New Zealand
Contact: +64 94259081
Website: Matakana Coast Wine Country
10. Discover the majestic Pohuehue Falls
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Pohuehue Falls is a hidden gem located in between Warkworth and Waiwera. From the lookout, the view is limited. So for tourists to enjoy the cascading waterfalls, you would have to go down from the lookout to the base of the falls through an unofficial track, which will take you 30 minutes. You have to be extra careful to avoid untoward incidents. The terrain is not seemly for wheelchairs and strollers.
After the majestic Pohuehue Falls, another attraction in the vicinity is waiting for you. The Beverley Price Look Track will bring hikers through a bush and tender climbs from here and there, then through a road under the hood of a forest.
Pohuehue Falls
Address: 0983, 1235 State Highway 1, Warkworth, New Zealand
Duration: 30 minutes from the lookout one way
Website: Pohuehue Falls
11. Swim at the historic Mahurangi Cement Works ruins
Go off-the-beaten and head to the Mahurangi Cement Works ruins, an old quarry that has been a part of Warkworth’s history. It was functional until 1928. But swimming in there? Yes, you read that right. It remains unknown to tourists that the old quarry is filled with fresh water where you can swim. However, the water is deep so better be wary.
You can also sit down, have a cold beer, and just chill out while at the place. Enjoy the chimney ruins across the area.
Mahurangi Cement Works
Address: Wilson Road S, Warkworth, New Zealand
12. Bask in the sun at Snells Beach
Snells Beach is the most accessible seaside. Feel New Zealand’s laid-back life by basking in the sun on this sandy warm beach. The beach is shallow for several meters so the spot is ideal for families with kids, not to mention there’s a playground nearby where you can see a flying fox.
Snells Beach
Address: Mahurangi East, Warkworth, New Zealand
Duration: 1 – 2 hours
Get moving!
These are just some of the adventures and places of interest in Warkworth. There’s still a ton of other activities you can do that are not mentioned here. I hope this gets you pumped to pack up your bag and head to Warkworth. We would love to hear about your awesome experiences once you get there so please don’t hesitate to share it. For now, though, you have to get moving!
Frequently asked questions about the best things to do in Warkworth, New Zealand
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