Things to do in Bay Of Islands
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Kamakura
The flashest option in Russell by a long way, this restaurant has a breezy beach-house feel. The Pacific Rim menu gainfully plunders Asian and French styles to produce beautifully presented, delicious meals. In summer it hosts a monthly artisan market (www.artisanmarket.co.nz).
reviewed
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Only Seafood
A superb place for local seafood, with dishes ranging from the simple (catch-of-the-day with lemon and parsley) to all manner of creamy, spicy concoctions. The fat Pacific oysters served with soy, wasabi and pickled ginger are sublime.
reviewed
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Pear Tree
Lovely views of the basin from this homestead are this restaurant’s big drawcard, ably matched by the food.
reviewed
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Waterfront Cafe
It’s a sausage-roll-and-custard-square kind of place, but it’s Russell’s best weekday breakfast option.
reviewed
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Dive North
reviewed
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St Paul’s Church
Paihia’s St Paul’s Church isn’t particularly old (1925), but it stands on the site of NZ’s first church – a simple raupo (bulrush) hut constructed in 1823. It’s an altogether charming church, built from Kawakawa stone. Spot the native birds in the stained glass above the altar – the kotare (kingfisher) represents Jesus (the king plus ‘fisher of men’), while the tui (parson bird) and kereru (wood pigeon) portray the personalities of the Williams brothers (one scholarly, one forceful) who set up the mission station here.
reviewed
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Pompallier
Pompallier is a rammed-earth building constructed in 1842 to house the Roman Catholic mission’s printing press, which printed a staggering 40,000 books in Maori. In the 1870s it was converted into a private home but it has been restored to its original state, complete with tannery and printing workshop. On the excellent guided tour you get to play with the tools and learn how to ‘skive off’ and become a ‘dab hand’. It’s the last remaining building of the Catholic mission in the Western Pacific.
reviewed
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Fullers
Fullers runs full-day (adult/child $99/50) and half-day ($89/45) tours, taking in the Hole in the Rock off Cape Brett (passing through it if conditions are right) and stopping on an island. The full day ‘Cream Trip’ follows the old supply and mail route around the islands and includes dolphin swimming and boom netting (where you can get close to the critters while being dragged through the water in a net).
reviewed
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Waka Tai-a-Mai
For a hands-on experience of the Maori culture, Waka Tai-a-Mai gives you the opportunity to paddle a traditional 50ft carved waka (canoe). Leaving from the Waitangi bridge, the journey heads up to the Haruru Falls before visiting a replica Maori village. The Ngapuhi hosts wear traditional garb and perform the proper karakia (incantations), as well as some excellent storytelling.
reviewed
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Cape Reinga and 90 Mile Beach Tour from Bay of Islands
11 hours (Departs Paihia, Bay of Islands, New Zealand)
by Viator
Take an action-packed day trip from Paihia to the tip of New Zealand’s North Island on a guided tour of Cape Reinga! The Waverider coach, built to traverse sand…Not LP reviewed
from USD$92.88 Advertisement
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Aroha Island Ecological Centre
Aroha Island Ecological Centre is located on a tiny 5-hectare island, 10km northeast of Kerikeri, reached via a permanent causeway through mangroves. The island provides a haven for the North Island brown kiwi and other native birds, as well as an excellent picnic spot for their nonfeathered admirers. There’s a visitor centre, and kayaks can be rented ($25 for four hours).
reviewed
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Stone Store
The Stone Store, next to the Mission House, is the oldest stone building in NZ (1836). It sells interesting gifts as well as the type of goods that used to be sold in the store – although these days you’ll have a hard time bartering pigs for muskets. Tours ($10) of the Mission House depart from here and include entry to the displays on the 1st floor of the store.
reviewed
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Waitangi Treaty Grounds
A visit to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds is a must for every itinerary. It’s full of cultural icons – the colonial-style Treaty House with its manicured garden and lawns, the surrounding bush full of native birds, the spiritual whare and the warlike waka, the three flags (UK, NZ and Maori) and the hillside views of a still-beautiful land.
reviewed
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Bay of Islands Cape Brett 'Hole in the Rock' Cruise
by Viator
This is the most popular cruise in the Bay for a good reason! The modern high speed catamaran escorts you in comfort around the Bay, past sandy beaches, rocky o…Not LP reviewed
from USD$71.56 -
Best of the Bay Supercruise - Original Cream Trip
7 hours (Departs Paihia or Russell, Bay of Islands, New Zealand)
by Viator
The only authentic "Cream Trip". Fullers Bay of Islands have been delivering mail and supplies to island residents, exclusively for over 100 years. See idyllic …
Not LP reviewed
from USD$77.66 -
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Mission House
The Mission House is the country’s oldest wooden building (1822) and contains some original fittings and chattels.
reviewed
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Bay of Islands Tall Ship Sailing on R. Tucker Thompson including BBQ Lunch
by Viator
What better way to explore the peaceful waters of the Bay of Islands than by the "R. Tucker Thompson" tall ship. This replica of a 100 year old schooner looks j…
Not LP reviewed
from USD$110.39 -
Bay of Islands Full-Day Sailing including Lunch
7 hours (Departs Bay of Islands, New Zealand)
by Viator
Sail around the beautiful 144 islands on-board "Lion New Zealand", the late Sir Peter Blake's 80 foot maxi-yacht. Take the opportunity to join the crew and get …Not LP reviewed
from USD$83.75 -
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Waikokopu Cafe
The setting is a cracking start – by a pond, backed by bush and overlooking the Treaty Grounds. The locale is matched by Kiwi icons on the menu – the ever popular ‘fush and chups’ and the Rainbow Warrior, ‘French toast sunk in maple syrup, bacon and banana’.
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Haratu
Run by the local marae society, the recently opened Haratu brings authentic Maori art and craft to the Russell waterfront, most of which is available for purchase. There are also audiovisual displays and information boards.
reviewed
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Maiki
Overlooking Russell is Maiki, where Hone Heke chopped down the flagpole four times. You can drive up but the view justifies a climb. Take the track west from the boat ramp along the beach at low tide, or up Wellington St otherwise.
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Ake Ake
Has a swanky restaurant (lunch $14 to $26, dinner $26 to $31; open lunch Tuesday to Sunday, dinner Tuesday to Saturday), a pétanque court, and offers vineyard tours ($5, 11.30am Saturday and Sunday) and tastings ($3, free if dining).
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Pipi Patch Bar
The party hostel has the party bar: a funky spot with large video screens and a decent terrace. You’ll be shuffled inside at midnight to keep the neighbours happy – although most of them are backpackers who’ll be here anyway.
reviewed
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Cape Reinga Half-Day Tour including Scenic Flight
4 hours 30 minutes (Departs Paihia, New Zealand)
by Viator
Discover the rugged natural beauty of Cape Reinga, located on the tip of New Zealand's North Island. Perfect for those short on time who want to make the most o…Not LP reviewed
from USD$323.56 -
Bay of Islands Cruise and Scenic Helicopter Tour
6 hours (Departs Paihia, New Zealand)
by Viator
Experience the best of the Bay of Islands with a cruise and helicopter tour from Paihia. Hop aboard the sea shuttle for a scenic cruise out to the bay, and stop…Not LP reviewed
from USD$216.98
