THINGS TO DO

The Bay of Islands and surrounds offer an abundance of activites - all within close distance to our centrally located apartments. 

By Sea

“Hole in the Rock” boat cruise – one of the most popular ways to explore the bay of islands, this tour cruises through the islands along the Cape Brett peninsula to the historic Cape Brett lighthouse and the “Hole in the Rock’” which you cruise through (weather permitting).  Included is an island stopover at Urupukapuka Island where you can enjoy stunning island walks and beaches or just relax at the restaurant. Click here to book.

Otehei Bay ferry – A cost effective way to experience the bay, this ferry leaves Paihia on a 40 minute journey to Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island and has several return times throughout the day (varying summer/winter timetables).  Spend the day on the island and explore the many beautiful beaches like Paradise Bay, Sunset Bay and Urupukapuka Bay.  Paddleboard, kayak and snorkel hire are available on the island so pack a picnic (or have lunch at the restaurant) and enjoy some island time! Click here to book

Sailing – several tours options are available for those keen to experience the Bay by sailing.  All tours include an island stopover.  R Tucker Thompson offers the experience of tall ship sailing and Carino Wildlife Cruise offers dolphin watching.

Fishing – Full day or half day fishing charters are plentiful in the Bay.  Just choose your targeted species and get ready for a great day out.  If you are lucky enough to bring back your catch, the Bay of Islands Swordfish club will cook it for you.

Other water-based activities include scuba diving, parasail, paddleboard/kayak hire, jet ski hire.

By Land

Cape Reinga Tour – At the Cape, the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean in a spectacular swirl of currents.  At the northernmost tip of the Cape is the gnarled Pohutukawa tree believed to be over 800 years old.  According to Māori oral history, the spirits of deceased Māori leap from this tree into the ocean to return to their ancestral homeland of Hawaiki.  The coach tour also includes the option to surf down giant sand dunes – towering well over 150 metres high in some parts.  Lunch is included in tour price. Click here to book.

Self-drive: 3 hours from Paihia or Coach: 11 hours return.

Waitangi Mountain Bike Park - Waitangi Mountain Bike Park provides the perfect introduction to mountain biking with lots of easy, scenic trails that you can take at your own pace. It offers 30 trails of varying difficulty with great flow and features, from introductory downhill riding, jump trails, cross country, and beginner trails.  Bike hire is available from Paihia Mountain Bike Rentals.  For those wanting more of a scenic ride – check out Top Trail cycle tours offering bike hire/pickups/drop offs along the Twin Coast Cycle Trail. 

Waipoua Forest – A great stop if heading back south along the west coast.  This forest is the home of Tane Mahuta, the country’s largest kauri tree which is approximately 2000 years old and still growing.   Kauri is part of New Zealand’s heritage, but kauri dieback is threatening their extinction.  Please respect displayed kauri protection guidelines when visiting areas.

Drive times: 1 hour 45 minutes

Waitangi Golf Course – Just 5 minutes from here, you can enjoy a stunning 18-hole golf course with fantastic sea views, whether you are looking for a challenge or a relaxed round, Waitangi Golf Club will cater for you. Visitors are most welcome all year round.

By Air

Salt Air Scenic Flights - Salt Air can offer you a unique and memorable experience of the Bay of Islands and Northland from the air with spectacular coastline views and island scenery.  Options include landing by helicopter on the Hole in the Rock or get the best view of the Far North from a small sea plane as you fly to Cape Reinga. Click here to book.

Culture & Heritage

Waitangi Treaty Grounds – Waitangi Treaty Grounds is a must see – a place where much of New Zealand’s modern history was shaped.  Often called ‘the Birthplace of our Nation.’ Visit Waitangi to see the Treaty House where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed.  Explore the two contemporary museums, Te Rau Aroha Museum of the Price of Citizenship and Te Kōngahu Museum of Waitangi, Treaty House, Te Whare Rūnanga and traditional Māori waka taua. Visitors can also enjoy a full program of tours and cultural performances. Click here to book.

Stone Store (Kerikeri) – Constructed to hold mission supplies and when from the mission farm at Te Waimate, but the building was mainly leased as a kauri gum trading store.  Today, you can shop for authentic frontier trade goods and classically branded Kiwiana products recalling the great kiwi summer holiday and the Stone Store’s place in history as a Northland tourism icon.

The Kemp House (Kerikeri) – was built by Māori sawyers and missionary carpenters from the London based Church Missionary Society in 1820-21.  Kemp house pre-dates the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi by almost 20 years.  Enjoy a tour including a large range of furniture and personal items owned by the missionary families that lived there.

Pompallier House (Russell)– Built in 1842, Pompallier Mission originally housed a printery where Church texts were translated from Latin to te reo Māori, then printed and bound. It is just one of several buildings, including a chapel and various outhouse, which once stood in this crowded enclave.

Today the printery stands as New Zealand’s oldest industrial building, as well as the oldest of rammed-earth construction, distinctly French in style.  Pompallier Mission offers one of New Zealand’s most enjoyable heritage tours, starting at the gatehouse beyond which lie the glorious gardens that surround the Printery.

Beautiful Beaches

Coopers Beach – A great expanse of unspoiled fine sand backed by rows of beautiful Pohutukawa trees.

Cable Bay – A beautiful pink-coral and golden sand beach with small lagoons and rock pools.

Both about 1 hours 10 minutes north of Paihia

Matai Bay – A small semi-circular cove, it is sheltered from the ocean swells and offers ideal swimming and sunbathing.  Located at the end of the Karikari Peninsula past Tokerau Beach.

Matauri Bay – Just 45 minutes north of Paihia, Matauri Bay is a safe a beautiful spot to swim.  Walk up to the Rainbow Warrior Memorial on the headland and enjoy spanning views of the Cavalli Islands.  When the swells roll in, there is some great boogie boarding and surfing, otherwise enjoy the pristine waters of the bay. 

Ti Beach – Paihia.  Why not stay close and enjoy the safe swimming beach directly across from your accommodation. Make use of the community BBQ next to the playground and spend your day swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking.

Walks

School Road track (Paihia Lookout) – this short walk is accessed at the end of School Road in Paihia.  Stroll along a well-maintained track through wetlands before climbing up through regenerated native forest to a lookout point high over Paihia.

START POINT: School Road, Paihia, 700m from central Paihia

LENGTH: 1.5km

TIME: 1 hour return

Haruru Falls Track:  This walk starts at the historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds and takes you up to the stunning horseshoe shaped Haruru Falls. The walk follows the Waitangi River through native bush and through mangrove trees along a boardwalk.  You can walk from Paihia to the start of this track in Waitangi, and that will take about 30 minutes.

START POINT: Waitangi Treaty Grounds

LENGTH: 6km one way

TIME: 2.5 hours one way

Paihia to Opua Costal Walk – A relatively gentle coastal walk that is well-trodden and very scenic.  The full walk is just under 6 km, taking you from the centre of Paihia along the main beach, round the coastline (can be tricky at high tide! Check the tides, but you can take the footpath along the main road) to Opua.   

LENGTH: 5.5 km
TIME: 2.5 hrs

This walkway can be completed on its own in parts or as part of The Full Circle Day Walk (6-8 hours) – PAIHIA – OPUA – OKIATO – RUSSELL

Wineries and Craft Beers

Omata Estate Winery – A boutique vineyard on a peninsular about 8kms outside of Russell with views overlooking the ocean.  The kitchen is a relaxed style eatery service gourmet platters and wood-fired pizzas.  Wine tasting is also available from the cellar door.  A courtesy van from Russell is available. (Kitchen only operates mid-September to mid-May.)

Paroa Bay Winery/Sage Restaurant – another great spot outside of Russell located on a hilltop overlooking the Bay of Islands serving fine dining.  A special spot for a special occasion! Courtesy van from Russell is available.

Phat House Brewery – Phat House Brewing Co is a lifestyle brewery and bar in the beautiful Bay of Islands (just 5 minutes from Paihia) creating delicious flavourful craft beers and flame fired pizza.   Open Wednesday to Sunday only.  Courtesy shuttle available.

Marsden Estate - Just a few minutes’ drive from Kerikeri, Marsden Estate offers wine sales, tastings and tours, with innovative cuisine to complement its award-winning wines. It’s known for the relaxed atmosphere of its courtyard dining space overlooking the lake and vines, with innovative cuisine that showcases the unique flavours of the region.

Markets

Bay of Islands Farmers Markets – small boutique markets selling seasonal produce, cheese, preserves, free range eggs, artisan food, beverages and much more. 

Paihia –Village Green, 60 Marsden Road every Thursday 10:00am – 1:30pm.

Kerikeri – Post office carpark, 10 Hobson Ave, every Sunday 8:30am to 12pm

Packhouse Market (505 Kerikeri Road, Kerikeri)

Friday night street food market 5pm – 8pm – live music, food vendors and a licensed bar

Saturday Growers and Artisans – 1am-1:30pm

Sunday Smaller eclectic market – 9am-1pm

Amazing Food

You will find a selection of menus in the blue folder inside your apartment.  Here are just some of our favourites:

Paihia

Terra Restaurant –a fine dining experience offering a degustation menu or brunch/long lunch options – perfect for special occasions.  Located in the heart of Paihia - enjoy stunning views with your stunning food.  Check out their website for their most up to date creations www.terrarestaurant.co.nz.

Charlotte’s Kitchen – Offering a selection of wood fired pizzas and gourmet dishes.  They also have the best location with amazing views right at the end of the wharf in Paihia.

Tipsy Oyster – This tapas bar offers street food inspired fusion dishes done Thai style, Moroccan spiced, Indian homestyle or Mexican. Stand-alone meals or sharing platters, juicy burgers and oysters all at an unbeatable waterfront location.  Bookings recommended as it does get very busy especially in the summer months.  Also check out their sister restaurant/gin bar Bad Habits in the Paihia Lanes.

Third Wheel Café: Paihia’s best kept secret for amazing coffee and homemade treats.  Located down the alleyway by Greens Thai– worth the effort to find it!

Russell

The Duke of Marlborough – Iconic dining in Russell since 1872, this historic restaurant is located right on the waterfront in Russell with a menu showcasing the best of locally sourced seasonal produce and presenting a new take on the classic favourites. 

Gables Restaurant – Another historic building, the Gables is New Zealand’s oldest operating restaurant built from pit-sawn Kauri in 1847 on whalebone foundations.  The Gables has built a reputation with foreigners and New Zealanders alike enjoying local seafood and New Zealand fare in one of the country’s top summer destinations.

Hone’s Pizza Garden – Russell’s hidden gem (down an alleyway off the main street) serving woodfired pizzas and craft beer in a subtropical courtyard.

Options for a rainy day

Any of the restaurants, culture & heritage, and wineries are fine options when the weather isn’t so fine.  You can also check out:                          

Kawiti Glow Worm caves
Bay of Islands Vintage Steam Railway
Cathay Cinemas (Kerikeri)
Ngawha Hot Springs (Kaikohe)
Arts & Craft shops in Kerikeri
Russell Mini Tours