The Whangarei Heads peninsula curves around the southern side of the harbour for 30 kilometres, ending in a knot of dramatic volcanic peaks at Bream Head and Mount Manaia. The drive out from town takes about 40 minutes along a slow coast road past mangroves and small beaches.
Mount Manaia is the standout walk: an hour and a half each way up steps and bush trails to a summit ridge that drops sheer for 400 metres on the seaward side. Ocean Beach at the end of the road is a long sweep of pale sand, exposed to the Pacific. Bream Head itself, the headland on the southern side of the harbour entrance, has serious bush walks for more committed walkers.