Whangārei Heads Art Trail

Every Easter weekend since 2012, something special happens along Whangārei Heads Road. Artists open their private studios. Community halls fill with displays. For two days, you can drive a scenic 35-kilometer route from Onerahi to Ocean Beach, stopping at home studios and venues to see work created right there on the Heads, meet the artists who made it and buy directly from them if something catches your eye.

Up to 45 artists participate each year. The variety is remarkable. Painters working in oils, acrylics and watercolours. Potters creating everything from functional dinnerware to sculptural ceramics. Glass artists blowing and casting pieces that capture light. Jewellers working in silver, gold and mixed media. Wood turners and carvers. Textile artists weaving, felting and stitching. Photographers. Printmakers. Metal workers. Sculptors in stone and wood. Flax weavers keeping traditional techniques alive. Every medium you can think of appears somewhere along the trail.

The W.H.A.T. society (Whangārei Heads Arts Trail) organizes the event, bringing together local artists and carefully selected guests into a coordinated weekend that’s become one of Northland’s biggest and most diverse arts events. Entry to all studios and community venues is free. You simply purchase a trail guide for $5, which includes a map showing all locations, information about participating artists and a raffle ticket for prizes worth up to $600 in art vouchers.

How It Works

The trail operates on a self-guided format. You buy your trail guide from various locations before or during the weekend (community venues, participating businesses, sometimes online in advance). The guide shows where each artist is located. You plan your own route based on what interests you and which parts of the Heads you want to explore. Some people start at Onerahi and work methodically toward Ocean Beach. Others begin at Ocean Beach and return. Many jump around based on interest rather than geography.

Artists work from home studios or gather in community venues. The home studios offer intimate experiences. You’re entering someone’s creative space, seeing where and how they work. The mess and tools are part of the story. These visits feel personal, with one-on-one conversations about technique, inspiration and the artistic process. Community venues concentrate multiple artists in single locations, efficient for seeing more work quickly while still allowing direct artist interaction.

The two-day format (Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 5pm) means you can spread visits across both days or concentrate everything into one intensive day. Many people make multiple visits, returning to studios that particularly interested them or catching venues they missed the first time. The Easter weekend timing means many visitors are already in Northland for the long weekend, making the trail easy to incorporate into holiday plans.

The Diversity of Work

Walking into studios reveals how much creativity exists within one relatively small geographic area. You might encounter a painter creating large abstract seascapes inspired by the coastal environment, then five minutes down the road find a potter throwing functional stoneware, then around the next corner discover a jeweller creating intricate silver pieces incorporating found objects.

Some artists are established professionals with national reputations. Their work commands serious prices and appears in galleries across New Zealand. Others are talented amateurs producing beautiful work at accessible price points. The trail welcomes this range deliberately. There’s genuinely something for everyone’s taste and everyone’s budget. You can spend $20 on a small ceramic piece or $2,000 on a substantial painting.

Guest artists add variety each year. These invited artists from outside the Heads bring different perspectives and techniques while ensuring the trail stays fresh for returning visitors. The balance between regular participants (who visitors might seek out year after year) and new guests keeps the event evolving without losing its core character.

The only requirement is that work must be made in New Zealand by the artist selling it. No imported items, no reselling other people’s work. Everything on the trail represents genuine New Zealand creativity and craftsmanship. That authenticity matters to both artists and buyers who value knowing exactly where and how something was made.

The Scenic Drive

The art is the main attraction, but the drive itself forms a significant part of the experience. Whangārei Heads Road winds through some of Northland’s most beautiful coastal landscape. Beaches appear and disappear. Hills rise steeply from the harbor. Native bush regenerates in reserves. The road climbs to viewpoints then descends to sheltered bays. Even people with limited interest in art enjoy the drive.

The route passes through distinct communities, each with its own character. Onerahi as the urban starting point. Parua Bay with its established community and beachfront. McLeod Bay tucked into a sheltered harbor. Urquharts Bay stretching along sandy beach. Taurikura’s working harbor. Ocean Beach facing the open ocean. Each location offers different perspectives on the coastal environment that inspires so much of the work shown during the trail.

Cafes and restaurants along the route provide opportunities to break up studio visits with food and drinks. Some people make lunch reservations, treating the trail as a full day out combining art, scenery and dining. Others pack picnics, stopping at beaches between studio visits. The flexibility lets everyone create their own experience.

Meeting the Artists

Direct access to artists distinguishes the trail from gallery exhibitions. You’re not viewing work through dealer intermediaries. The person who created what you’re looking at stands ready to discuss it. Ask about technique. Inquire about materials. Understand the inspiration. Learn about the artistic journey that led to this specific piece.

For buyers, this direct relationship adds value beyond the object itself. You know the story. You’ve met the maker. You understand the context. The piece becomes more than decoration. It represents connection to place, to person and to creative process. Many buyers develop relationships with particular artists, returning year after year to see new work and continuing conversations started at previous trails.

For artists, the direct sales model matters economically. Gallery commissions typically take 30 to 50 percent of sale prices. Selling directly means artists receive full value for their work. That economic reality allows them to price more competitively while still earning fair compensation. Buyers benefit from better prices while artists benefit from better returns.

The conversations matter beyond sales. Artists get direct feedback. They understand what resonates with viewers. They hear questions and concerns. They connect with the community supporting their work. These interactions validate artistic practice and provide motivation that studio isolation sometimes lacks.

Community Venues

Three community venues typically anchor the trail, each gathering multiple artists in single locations. Parua Bay Community Hall, McLeod Bay Hall and another venue (which varies by year) host artists who might not have suitable home studios or who prefer the collaborative atmosphere of shared spaces.

These venues work differently from home studios. Multiple artists means more variety in smaller space. The social atmosphere differs, with artists interacting and viewers moving between displays. Some people prefer this concentration, finding it easier to see substantial work without driving between locations. Others miss the intimacy of home studios and the insight into working spaces.

The venues also serve as information hubs. If you have questions about finding particular artists or need directions, the volunteers and artists at community venues usually have answers. Trail guides are often available if you haven’t purchased one yet. The communal nature creates welcoming entry points for people uncertain about visiting private studios.

The Prize Draw

The trail guide includes more than just maps and artist information. Each guide contains a raffle ticket for the prize draw. Three prizes totaling $1,000 give winners vouchers ($600, $300 and $100) to spend on artwork from participating trail artists. Winners choose which artist to purchase from, essentially getting free art while supporting local creativity.

The prize element encourages guide purchases while adding slight gamification to the experience. Even people primarily interested in browsing rather than buying have incentive to get the guide. The $5 cost supports trail organization while the potential prize value far exceeds the investment.

Winners are announced after the trail concludes, with prize redemption happening through arrangements with participating artists. The conditions ensure fairness while maintaining flexibility for winners to select work matching their taste and available prize amount.

Planning Your Visit

Easter weekend in Northland can be busy, with holiday traffic and popular destinations filling up. Starting your trail visits earlier rather than later on both Saturday and Sunday helps avoid crowds at popular studios. Artists and studios that generate buzz on Saturday often see increased traffic Sunday afternoon as word spreads.

The trail guide is essential. While you could theoretically drive around hoping to spot art displays, the guide ensures you don’t miss studios and helps plan efficient routes. Guides are available from various locations in advance, at community venues during the weekend and sometimes online before the event. Getting yours early allows pre-planning.

Comfortable shoes suit the day, with some studios requiring walking on uneven surfaces or grass. Northland Easter weather varies. Pack layers and rain gear just in case, though sunny warm days are common. Bringing water and snacks helps, though cafes and restaurants along the route provide options for meals and refreshments.

Cash helps at some studios, though many artists now accept card payments or electronic transfers. Checking payment options when discussing purchases prevents awkward situations. Some artists offer delivery for larger pieces or shipping for visitors from outside the region.

Parking at individual studios varies. Most have off-street parking but space can be limited at popular locations. Patience and courtesy matter. The community venues typically have more parking capacity, making them good starting or anchoring points for your trail route.

Accessibility

The trail’s self-guided nature allows people to participate at their own pace and according to their own abilities. Not all studios are wheelchair accessible given they’re private homes, but community venues typically meet accessibility standards. The trail guide indicates which locations have accessibility features, helping people with mobility challenges plan visits to studios they can comfortably access.

The free entry policy removes financial barriers to viewing, with the optional $5 trail guide representing minimal cost. This accessibility ensures broad community participation beyond just serious art buyers. Families, students, retirees and casual browsers all feel welcome.

Beyond Easter Weekend

The trail’s success has spawned additional events. A Christmas taster exhibition in early December brings selection of trail artists together at Whangārei Cruising Club for a two-day preview. This smaller event lets people buy Christmas gifts while supporting local artists and gives a taste of what the full Easter trail offers. It’s particularly useful for locals who can’t make Easter weekend or visitors who happen to be in the area during summer holidays.

The W.H.A.T. society maintains year-round presence, supporting member artists and planning the next trail. New members join regularly as more creative people discover the Heads and as interest in arts practice grows. The society’s inclusive approach welcomes artists working in all media and at all skill levels, from happy amateurs to nationally recognized professionals.

Social media and the website keep interested people updated on participating artists, trail news and related events. Following these channels ensures you don’t miss registration opening for trail guides or announcements about the Christmas taster.

A Growing Tradition

From its 2012 start, the Whangārei Heads Arts Trail has grown substantially. More artists participate. More visitors attend. The quality and diversity of work continues expanding. The 2020 cancellation due to Covid demonstrated how valued the event had become, with the 2021 bounce-back showing strong community desire to resume the tradition.

Creative Northland manages the event, bringing organizational expertise and connections while maintaining the grassroots character that makes the trail special. The balance between professional management and community ownership ensures the trail runs smoothly without losing authentic local flavor.

Future growth likely means more artists, potentially more venues and continuing refinement of logistics. What won’t change is the core concept: artists opening studios, viewers meeting makers and spectacular coastal scenery providing the backdrop for creative discovery.

Experience Art at the Heads

The Whangārei Heads Arts Trail offers something beyond typical gallery viewing. It’s art in context, in the landscape that inspires it, presented by the people who created it. Whether you’re a serious collector, a casual browser, a supporter of local arts or simply someone wanting a beautiful drive with interesting stops, the trail accommodates your approach.

The Easter timing means many visitors are already in Northland for the long weekend. Adding the trail to your plans requires minimal extra effort while significantly enhancing your visit. Even dedicated beach holiday types can spare a few hours to experience how creativity thrives along this remarkable coastline.

For full artist listings, trail guide purchase locations, prize draw details and event updates for the 2026 Easter weekend trail (Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th April), visit the Whangārei Heads Arts Trail website at www.whangareiheadsartstrail.org.nz.

Whangārei Heads Art Trail

Every Easter weekend since 2012, something special happens along Whangārei Heads Road. Artists open their private studios. Community halls fill with displays. For two days, you can drive a scenic 35-kilometer route from Onerahi to Ocean Beach, stopping at home studios and venues to see work created right there on the Heads, meet the artists who made it and buy directly from them if something catches your eye.

Up to 45 artists participate each year. The variety is remarkable. Painters working in oils, acrylics and watercolours. Potters creating everything from functional dinnerware to sculptural ceramics. Glass artists blowing and casting pieces that capture light. Jewellers working in silver, gold and mixed media. Wood turners and carvers. Textile artists weaving, felting and stitching. Photographers. Printmakers. Metal workers. Sculptors in stone and wood. Flax weavers keeping traditional techniques alive. Every medium you can think of appears somewhere along the trail.

The W.H.A.T. society (Whangārei Heads Arts Trail) organizes the event, bringing together local artists and carefully selected guests into a coordinated weekend that’s become one of Northland’s biggest and most diverse arts events. Entry to all studios and community venues is free. You simply purchase a trail guide for $5, which includes a map showing all locations, information about participating artists and a raffle ticket for prizes worth up to $600 in art vouchers.

How It Works

The trail operates on a self-guided format. You buy your trail guide from various locations before or during the weekend (community venues, participating businesses, sometimes online in advance). The guide shows where each artist is located. You plan your own route based on what interests you and which parts of the Heads you want to explore. Some people start at Onerahi and work methodically toward Ocean Beach. Others begin at Ocean Beach and return. Many jump around based on interest rather than geography.

Artists work from home studios or gather in community venues. The home studios offer intimate experiences. You’re entering someone’s creative space, seeing where and how they work. The mess and tools are part of the story. These visits feel personal, with one-on-one conversations about technique, inspiration and the artistic process. Community venues concentrate multiple artists in single locations, efficient for seeing more work quickly while still allowing direct artist interaction.

The two-day format (Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 5pm) means you can spread visits across both days or concentrate everything into one intensive day. Many people make multiple visits, returning to studios that particularly interested them or catching venues they missed the first time. The Easter weekend timing means many visitors are already in Northland for the long weekend, making the trail easy to incorporate into holiday plans.

The Diversity of Work

Walking into studios reveals how much creativity exists within one relatively small geographic area. You might encounter a painter creating large abstract seascapes inspired by the coastal environment, then five minutes down the road find a potter throwing functional stoneware, then around the next corner discover a jeweller creating intricate silver pieces incorporating found objects.

Some artists are established professionals with national reputations. Their work commands serious prices and appears in galleries across New Zealand. Others are talented amateurs producing beautiful work at accessible price points. The trail welcomes this range deliberately. There’s genuinely something for everyone’s taste and everyone’s budget. You can spend $20 on a small ceramic piece or $2,000 on a substantial painting.

Guest artists add variety each year. These invited artists from outside the Heads bring different perspectives and techniques while ensuring the trail stays fresh for returning visitors. The balance between regular participants (who visitors might seek out year after year) and new guests keeps the event evolving without losing its core character.

The only requirement is that work must be made in New Zealand by the artist selling it. No imported items, no reselling other people’s work. Everything on the trail represents genuine New Zealand creativity and craftsmanship. That authenticity matters to both artists and buyers who value knowing exactly where and how something was made.

The Scenic Drive

The art is the main attraction, but the drive itself forms a significant part of the experience. Whangārei Heads Road winds through some of Northland’s most beautiful coastal landscape. Beaches appear and disappear. Hills rise steeply from the harbor. Native bush regenerates in reserves. The road climbs to viewpoints then descends to sheltered bays. Even people with limited interest in art enjoy the drive.

The route passes through distinct communities, each with its own character. Onerahi as the urban starting point. Parua Bay with its established community and beachfront. McLeod Bay tucked into a sheltered harbor. Urquharts Bay stretching along sandy beach. Taurikura’s working harbor. Ocean Beach facing the open ocean. Each location offers different perspectives on the coastal environment that inspires so much of the work shown during the trail.

Cafes and restaurants along the route provide opportunities to break up studio visits with food and drinks. Some people make lunch reservations, treating the trail as a full day out combining art, scenery and dining. Others pack picnics, stopping at beaches between studio visits. The flexibility lets everyone create their own experience.

Meeting the Artists

Direct access to artists distinguishes the trail from gallery exhibitions. You’re not viewing work through dealer intermediaries. The person who created what you’re looking at stands ready to discuss it. Ask about technique. Inquire about materials. Understand the inspiration. Learn about the artistic journey that led to this specific piece.

For buyers, this direct relationship adds value beyond the object itself. You know the story. You’ve met the maker. You understand the context. The piece becomes more than decoration. It represents connection to place, to person and to creative process. Many buyers develop relationships with particular artists, returning year after year to see new work and continuing conversations started at previous trails.

For artists, the direct sales model matters economically. Gallery commissions typically take 30 to 50 percent of sale prices. Selling directly means artists receive full value for their work. That economic reality allows them to price more competitively while still earning fair compensation. Buyers benefit from better prices while artists benefit from better returns.

The conversations matter beyond sales. Artists get direct feedback. They understand what resonates with viewers. They hear questions and concerns. They connect with the community supporting their work. These interactions validate artistic practice and provide motivation that studio isolation sometimes lacks.

Community Venues

Three community venues typically anchor the trail, each gathering multiple artists in single locations. Parua Bay Community Hall, McLeod Bay Hall and another venue (which varies by year) host artists who might not have suitable home studios or who prefer the collaborative atmosphere of shared spaces.

These venues work differently from home studios. Multiple artists means more variety in smaller space. The social atmosphere differs, with artists interacting and viewers moving between displays. Some people prefer this concentration, finding it easier to see substantial work without driving between locations. Others miss the intimacy of home studios and the insight into working spaces.

The venues also serve as information hubs. If you have questions about finding particular artists or need directions, the volunteers and artists at community venues usually have answers. Trail guides are often available if you haven’t purchased one yet. The communal nature creates welcoming entry points for people uncertain about visiting private studios.

The Prize Draw

The trail guide includes more than just maps and artist information. Each guide contains a raffle ticket for the prize draw. Three prizes totaling $1,000 give winners vouchers ($600, $300 and $100) to spend on artwork from participating trail artists. Winners choose which artist to purchase from, essentially getting free art while supporting local creativity.

The prize element encourages guide purchases while adding slight gamification to the experience. Even people primarily interested in browsing rather than buying have incentive to get the guide. The $5 cost supports trail organization while the potential prize value far exceeds the investment.

Winners are announced after the trail concludes, with prize redemption happening through arrangements with participating artists. The conditions ensure fairness while maintaining flexibility for winners to select work matching their taste and available prize amount.

Planning Your Visit

Easter weekend in Northland can be busy, with holiday traffic and popular destinations filling up. Starting your trail visits earlier rather than later on both Saturday and Sunday helps avoid crowds at popular studios. Artists and studios that generate buzz on Saturday often see increased traffic Sunday afternoon as word spreads.

The trail guide is essential. While you could theoretically drive around hoping to spot art displays, the guide ensures you don’t miss studios and helps plan efficient routes. Guides are available from various locations in advance, at community venues during the weekend and sometimes online before the event. Getting yours early allows pre-planning.

Comfortable shoes suit the day, with some studios requiring walking on uneven surfaces or grass. Northland Easter weather varies. Pack layers and rain gear just in case, though sunny warm days are common. Bringing water and snacks helps, though cafes and restaurants along the route provide options for meals and refreshments.

Cash helps at some studios, though many artists now accept card payments or electronic transfers. Checking payment options when discussing purchases prevents awkward situations. Some artists offer delivery for larger pieces or shipping for visitors from outside the region.

Parking at individual studios varies. Most have off-street parking but space can be limited at popular locations. Patience and courtesy matter. The community venues typically have more parking capacity, making them good starting or anchoring points for your trail route.

Accessibility

The trail’s self-guided nature allows people to participate at their own pace and according to their own abilities. Not all studios are wheelchair accessible given they’re private homes, but community venues typically meet accessibility standards. The trail guide indicates which locations have accessibility features, helping people with mobility challenges plan visits to studios they can comfortably access.

The free entry policy removes financial barriers to viewing, with the optional $5 trail guide representing minimal cost. This accessibility ensures broad community participation beyond just serious art buyers. Families, students, retirees and casual browsers all feel welcome.

Beyond Easter Weekend

The trail’s success has spawned additional events. A Christmas taster exhibition in early December brings selection of trail artists together at Whangārei Cruising Club for a two-day preview. This smaller event lets people buy Christmas gifts while supporting local artists and gives a taste of what the full Easter trail offers. It’s particularly useful for locals who can’t make Easter weekend or visitors who happen to be in the area during summer holidays.

The W.H.A.T. society maintains year-round presence, supporting member artists and planning the next trail. New members join regularly as more creative people discover the Heads and as interest in arts practice grows. The society’s inclusive approach welcomes artists working in all media and at all skill levels, from happy amateurs to nationally recognized professionals.

Social media and the website keep interested people updated on participating artists, trail news and related events. Following these channels ensures you don’t miss registration opening for trail guides or announcements about the Christmas taster.

A Growing Tradition

From its 2012 start, the Whangārei Heads Arts Trail has grown substantially. More artists participate. More visitors attend. The quality and diversity of work continues expanding. The 2020 cancellation due to Covid demonstrated how valued the event had become, with the 2021 bounce-back showing strong community desire to resume the tradition.

Creative Northland manages the event, bringing organizational expertise and connections while maintaining the grassroots character that makes the trail special. The balance between professional management and community ownership ensures the trail runs smoothly without losing authentic local flavor.

Future growth likely means more artists, potentially more venues and continuing refinement of logistics. What won’t change is the core concept: artists opening studios, viewers meeting makers and spectacular coastal scenery providing the backdrop for creative discovery.

Experience Art at the Heads

The Whangārei Heads Arts Trail offers something beyond typical gallery viewing. It’s art in context, in the landscape that inspires it, presented by the people who created it. Whether you’re a serious collector, a casual browser, a supporter of local arts or simply someone wanting a beautiful drive with interesting stops, the trail accommodates your approach.

The Easter timing means many visitors are already in Northland for the long weekend. Adding the trail to your plans requires minimal extra effort while significantly enhancing your visit. Even dedicated beach holiday types can spare a few hours to experience how creativity thrives along this remarkable coastline.

For full artist listings, trail guide purchase locations, prize draw details and event updates for the 2026 Easter weekend trail (Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th April).