The Whangārei Heads Arts Trail opens artists' private studios and community spaces along 35 km of volcanic coastline on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 March 2027, 10 am to 4 pm. It is free to visit every studio and hall. The $5 trail guide has the map, artist profiles and a raffle entry for art vouchers. Expect painting, sculpture, pottery, jewellery, woodwork and textiles, with the peaks and beaches of the Heads as a backdrop.
On this page
Key facts
- When
- Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 March 2027, 10 am to 4 pm
- Where
- Studios and community halls along Whangārei Heads, Northland
- Price
- Free to visit; trail guide $5 (map, profiles and raffle ticket)
- Guide
- Pre-purchase on Humanitix or buy on the day
- Media
- Painting, sculpture, pottery, jewellery, woodwork, textiles
What it is
The Whangārei Heads Arts Trail is an annual open studio weekend on the peninsula east of Whangārei. For two days the region’s artists open their private studios and community spaces to the public along 35 km of spectacular volcanic coastline. The 2027 trail runs on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 March, 10 am to 4 pm. It is run by the not-for-profit Whangarei Heads Arts Trail Society, which aims to make the peninsula an arts tourism destination.
What to expect
You drive (or cycle, if you are keen) from studio to studio, stopping to chat with the artists about how they work and to buy original pieces directly from them. Work spans painting, sculpture, pottery, jewellery, woodwork and textiles, from celebrated names to emerging local talent and invited guest artists. Between stops the road winds past dramatic peaks and quiet beaches.
The $5 official guide has the full map, artist locations and mini-profiles. It also doubles as a raffle ticket for art vouchers to spend with any trail artist. Pre-purchase it on Humanitix, which gives its booking-fee profits to charity, or buy one on the day.
Who it suits
Art buyers, keen gallery-goers and anyone looking for a gentle Northland weekend. Studios suit adults and older children best.
Getting there
Whangārei Heads Road starts from Whangārei, about 2.5 hours’ drive north of Auckland (an estimate). Allow a full day to get around the trail without rushing.
Where to stay
Stay on the peninsula at a bach or B&B for the full coastal experience, or in Whangārei city.
What to bring
Cash or a card for purchases, a picnic for a beach stop and a jacket.
Make a trip of it
Climb Mount Manaia or swim at Ocean Beach, then continue north with our Bay of Islands guide.
FAQ
When is the Whangārei Heads Arts Trail 2027?
Does it cost anything?
How far is the trail?
Can I buy art?
Sources
Last checked 11 November 2026 against the organiser's own pages
