Bay of Islands
More like a community centre, this art-deco cinema has been repurposed into an art gallery showing works by talented locals, a library and a soon-to-be…
Must-see attractions in Bay of Islands & Northland
Whangarei Native Bird Recovery Centre
Bay of Islands & Northland
This avian hospital nurses sick and injured birds back to health. Take a walk around the outdoor aviaries and say hi to the talking tui for us.
Bay of Islands & Northland
An eccentric village of artists’ studios and co-operative galleries where you can often pick up well-priced art and craft.
The Far North
The best surfing is at this small cove at Ahipara's western edge, so named for shipwrecks still visible at low tide.
Bay of Islands
Call into the cellar door for a tasting of wine, port and grappa. It's just off SH10 south of Kerikeri.
Bay of Islands & Northland
Fans of the late Austrian-born architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser will instantly recognise his influence in this colourful, irregularly shaped, one…
Bay of Islands
It's rare that public toilets are a town's claim to fame but Kawakawa's were designed by Austrian-born artist and eco-architect Friedensreich…
The Far North
With its two domed towers (Arepa and Omeka, alpha and omega) and the Rātana emblem of the star and crescent moon, you could be forgiven for mistaking this…
Bay of Islands
Just behind Paihia, this regenerating forest has walking trails ranging from 10 minutes to five hours. A few large trees have escaped axe and fire,…
Bay of Islands & Northland
Catholicism arrived in Aotearoa in the form of well-respected French bishop Jean Baptiste Pompallier, who celebrated NZ’s first Mass at Totara Point…
Bay of Islands & Northland
This coastal reserve features sand dunes, pohutukawa trees, jutting headlands and picturesque beaches. DOC-managed accommodation includes an eight-person…
Bay of Islands & Northland
Handcrafted wines include chardonnay, pinot gris and Bordeaux-style reds, and the beautiful vineyard is a great spot for a shared antipasto platter to…
Bay of Islands & Northland
Completed in 1839, this sweet wooden cottage contains relics of the missionaries who once inhabited it, and of Horeke’s shipbuilding past. In the grounds…
Bay of Islands
A walking track (one way 1½ hours, 5km) leads from the Treaty Grounds along the Waitangi River to these attractive horseshoe falls. Part of the path…
Bay of Islands & Northland
For a bird's-eye view over the canopy, head to the forest lookout, near the very south end of the park. You can either drive to it (the road is well…
Bay of Islands
North of Russell, on the other side of Maiki hill, Tapeka Rd heads down to a sandy beach in the shadow of a craggy headland. A pā once stood at the top of…
Bay of Islands
If you had a hard time imagining nearby Kororipo Pā in its original state, take the footbridge across the river to this mock-up of a traditional Māori…
The Far North
On the east coast, Great Exhibition Bay has dazzling snow-white silica dunes. There’s no public road access, but some tours pay a koha (donation) to cross…
Bay of Islands
This small museum has a well-presented Māori section, a large 1:5 scale model of Captain Cook’s Endeavour, a 10-minute video on the town’s history and an…
Bay of Islands
This secret swimming hole is not easy to find, but those who do are rewarded with a plunge in the crisp cold water. Ask the locals how to get here; you…
Bay of Islands & Northland
Set between Whangarei's old and new library buildings is this intriguing sculpture consisting of 10 large poles carved with Māori, Polynesian, Celtic,…
The Far North
The eclectic exhibits of the Far North Regional Museum feature natural history and local cultural stories. Artefacts include kauri gum, carved greenstone…
Bay of Islands
The historic buildings and gardens of Paihia's First Mission Station include a restored stone store, and now house a community library and a community…
The Far North
Part of the Carrington Resort complex, Karikari Estate produces wines of all hues and has a cafe attached. While the wine tastings are shamelessly…
Bay of Islands
An impressive waterfall on the Kerikeri River that can also be accessed via the road. An historic tea house is close by for those walking from the river…
The Far North
This spectacular lookout on the bluff behind Ahipara is reached by an extremely rough road leading off the unsealed Gumfields Rd, which starts at the…
The Far North
Just south of town, off the road to Ahipara, Kaitaia's only winery offers free tastings and sells local produce, including the famous Kaitaia Fire chilli…
Bay of Islands
What it lacks in height this attractive waterfall makes up for in breadth. It's accessed from the Kerikeri River Track.
