The Town Basin is the rehabilitated waterfront at the head of the Hatea River — a clutch of cafes, galleries, the Clapham Clock Museum, and the Hundertwasser Art Centre arranged around a small marina filled with yachts that have come up the coast from Auckland. It was the city's commercial port in the 19th century, fell out of use, and was rebuilt in the 1990s as the centrepiece of Whangarei's tourism push.
It works. The riverside walk runs from here towards the falls, the cafes are pleasant for an hour, and the small galleries are worth a wander. Weekend markets bring craftspeople and food trucks. Most visitors to Whangarei spend most of their time here.