Roadside Attractions in Northland
3 stops across 3 towns in Northland — the oversized, the handmade and the barely-signposted.
Worth the detour in Northland
The Giant Buzzy Bee
Whangarei, Northland
Standing proudly at McKay's Horse Park, this oversized tribute honors the iconic New Zealand wooden pull-along toy created by H.G. Vernor in the 1930s. It is a whimsical piece of nostalgic Kiwi pop culture that delights visitors of all ages.
The World's Rarest Plant Monument
Kaitaia, Northland
Located near Kaitaia in New Zealand's far north, this modest roadside monument commemorates the Ebena or Tree Daisy (Xeronema callistemon or more specifically related to local botanical rarities like Pennantia baylisiana), highlighting the fragile existence of some of the planet's rarest endemic flora. It offers curious travelers a quick pause to reflect on New Zealand's unique conservation history and botanical biodiversity.
The Hundertwasser Toilets
Kawakawa, Northland
Designed by the eccentric Austrian artist and architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser, these public restrooms are a vibrant masterpiece of quirky architecture and eco-friendly design. Featuring colorful mosaics, uneven floors, bottle walls, and a living tree growing right through the structure, it is perhaps the only working public toilet in the world that functions as a major international art destination.
Browse by town in Northland
Every listing has photos, opening hours, admission and directions, and the directory grows whenever somebody searches for a stop that isn't in it yet.