Mount Parihaka is the bush-covered hill that looms over Whangarei from the east — a 241-metre volcanic cone with a 360-degree view from the summit. A road runs to the top for those in a hurry, but the better approach is one of the half-dozen walking tracks that climb from Mair Park or the Dundas Road end through native forest.
The Drummond Track is the most popular — about 45 minutes up through kauri, rimu and ponga ferns to a war memorial at the summit. The view stretches across the whole Whangarei harbour, down to the heads where it meets the sea, and on a clear day inland to the Tangihua range. Avoid the road in late afternoon when local kids drive it for the view.