Bowling in Whangārei | Tenpin & Lawn Bowls Guide

Whangārei is Northland’s bowling hub. The city has the region’s only full entertainment centre for tenpin bowling and laser tag, plus a strong network of lawn bowls clubs — including the oldest club in Northland and the home of the regional body. Whether you’re after a rainy-day family outing, a social roll-up, or a club to join and improve, here’s where to bowl in Whangārei.

Tenpin Bowling in Whangārei

Whangārei’s tenpin scene centres on one venue — the only fully integrated entertainment centre in Northland, combining lanes with laser tag and arcade games.

ActionZone Entertainment Centre

• Where: 129 Port Road, Okara, Whangārei 0110
• Lanes: Tenpin lanes [exact count TBC]
• Food & drink: Fully licensed bar and café; snacks and drinks
• Also: Laser tag, arcade games, pool tables; birthday parties, group outings and corporate events; the only full family-entertainment venue in Northland; established 2007 (formerly Whangarei Tenpin Bowling); open 7 days from 10am; bring socks for hired shoes
• Web: actionzone.co.nz · Phone: 09 438 1028 · Email: [email protected]

Read our review of ActionZone Entertainment Centre.

ActionZone (formerly Whangarei Tenpin Bowling) is confirmed via its own site and local listings; note it changed ownership and rebranded recently. Older reviews were mixed on upkeep, so check current details before a visit. The exact number of lanes wasn’t published at the time of writing — confirm when booking.

Lawn Bowls Clubs in Whangārei

Whangārei has a deep lawn bowls tradition, with clubs affiliated to Bowls Northland — the regional body, which is itself headquartered in the city. Clubs range from the historic city club to friendly harbourside greens, several offering all-weather artificial surfaces. Below is a selection.

Whangārei Bowling Club (Bowls Whangārei)

• Where: 2 Second Avenue, Avenues, Whangārei
• Greens: 2 natural greens
• History: Established 1901 — Northland’s oldest bowling club; bought the Second Avenue site from the Whangārei Tennis Club in 1904 and moved there in 1906
• Members & play: A progressive, well-regarded club; competitive and social bowls; Twilight Bowls, mid-week Haggle, coaching and a Rangatahi (youth) programme; also the headquarters of Bowls Northland since 1950
• Also: Clubhouse, kitchen, licensed bar, BBQ area, Sky TV, darts, pool, wheelchair access, defibrillator; venue hire; hosts many Centre tournaments
• Centre: Bowls Northland
• Web: bowlswhangarei.org.nz · Phone: 09 438 8407 (secretary 021 805 575) · Email: [email protected]

Read our review of Whangārei Bowling Club.

Onerahi Bowling Club

• Where: 35 Alamein Avenue, Onerahi, Whangārei
• Greens: 2 greens — one artificial (the first artificial green in Northland), one natural (converting to artificial)
• History: A “baby boomer” club established in the 1950s, in the harbourside suburb near Whangārei’s airport
• Members & play: ~130 members (around 80 full-playing); highly competitive but very social; open seven days a week for roll-ups; Bowls3Five Twilight League (Wednesdays 6pm), progressive bowls and coaching; hosts the popular Onerahi “Fish” tournament
• Also: Clubhouse, kitchen, licensed bar, darts, pool table, BBQ area, EFTPOS, defibrillator, wheelchair access; venue and function hire; open Mon–Fri & Sun 8am–10pm, Sat 8am–11pm
• Centre: Bowls Northland
• Web: bowlsnewzealand.co.nz · Phone: 09 436 0584 · Email: [email protected]

Read our review of Onerahi Bowling Club.

Kensington & Kamo Bowling Clubs

• Where: Kensington Bowling Club, Whangārei [street address TBC]; Kamo Bowling Club, Meldrum Street, Kamo, Whangārei
• Greens: [green counts TBC]
• Members & play: Both are active, long-standing Whangārei clubs that feature regularly in Bowls Northland Centre events. Kensington is open every day, with club night on Thursdays (refreshments, raffles, pool, indoor bowls and darts). Kamo is supported by the Kamo Club’s lawn bowls section, with social bowls on Monday mornings
• Also: Both welcoming to new and social members
• Centre: Bowls Northland
• Web: Kensington — facebook.com/kensingtonbowls; Kamo — kamoclub.co.nz · Phone: Kamo Club (09) 435 3457

Read our review of Kensington & Kamo Bowling Clubs.

This is a selection of Whangārei clubs affiliated with Bowls Northland, not a complete list — others include Maunu, One Tree Point and Hikurangi nearby. Find the full directory via Bowls Northland.

Recommended For…

• Best for families & kids: ActionZone — tenpin, laser tag and arcade games under one roof, with party packages; the go-to rainy-day option in Northland.
• Best for a night out: ActionZone’s licensed bar and café alongside the lanes and laser tag.
• Best for competitive lawn bowls & improving: Onerahi Bowling Club, highly competitive and open seven days, with a strong record of Centre titles; and Whangārei Bowling Club, the historic home of the regional body, with coaching and a Rangatahi programme.
• Best for all-weather lawn bowls: Onerahi’s artificial green (Northland’s first) keeps play going in most conditions.
• Best for a social club atmosphere: Kamo, with social bowls on Monday mornings through the Kamo Club.

Getting There & Practical Tips

• Booking: Book ActionZone ahead for weekends, evenings and school holidays; it’s a popular party venue. Bring socks, as shoes are hired.
• Parking: ActionZone on Port Road (Okara) has parking; the bowls clubs have on-site parking.
• All-weather play: Onerahi and several other clubs have artificial greens, useful in Northland’s warm, humid summers.
• Lawn bowls: Clubs welcome newcomers and usually provide bowls — Onerahi is open seven days for roll-ups; phone ahead.
• Regional body: Whangārei is the home of Bowls Northland, so it’s a good base for finding a club or getting into Centre competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I go tenpin bowling in Whangārei?

ActionZone Entertainment Centre at 129 Port Road, Okara, is the city’s — and Northland’s — only full tenpin and entertainment venue, with lanes, laser tag, arcade games and a bar.

Does Whangārei have lawn bowls clubs I can join?

Yes — several, including Whangārei Bowling Club (Northland’s oldest, est. 1901), Onerahi (harbourside, with an artificial green), Kensington and Kamo. All welcome new members and are affiliated with Bowls Northland.

Where’s best to play lawn bowls all year round in Whangārei?

Onerahi Bowling Club has an artificial green (the first laid in Northland) and is open seven days a week, making it a strong all-weather, all-year option.

Where can I bowl on a rainy day in Whangārei?

ActionZone is fully indoor, making it the reliable wet-weather choice for tenpin, laser tag and arcade games.

Is ActionZone good for kids’ parties?

Yes — it offers tenpin, laser tag and arcade games with party and group packages, and is Northland’s main family-entertainment venue.