1

Yes, you need to get the ferry from Paihia over to Russell. If you arrive in the dark what time exactly then we'll know how far north to get you to sleep.

2

Thanks westwood. Plane is scheduled to arrive at 5.15 pm and reckon it could be 6 before we get to car hire and that may take an extra half hour so 6.30 before we get on road... maybe Auckland luggage handling and paperwork at Apex is quicker than Melbourne?
Then we want to go North and stop for 4 nights before going to Thames for birthday celebrations. Thought maybe we could then go to Taupo for a few nights before heading back to AKL for flight home on day 12.
thanks for your input. JoyV

3

You don't HAVE to get a ferry to Russell, but it's a very very long drive to go round the landside.
The ferry from Paihia is a pedestrian only ferry (is this right westwood? I don't think it's changed?). To get a car across, you would need to get the ferry from Opua across.
I really, really wouldn't get a bach somewhere around Whangarei, and I say that as someone who grew up there.
To be honest, I wouldn't get a bach in Russell either. With the amount of time you've got, you'll be itching to get out and explore by car - and as you can tell, that's not terribly easy from Russell. It's probably best visited on foot from Paihia, as part of a visit to Waitangi, Paihia, etc.
I've seen some absolutely beautiful, fairly isolated-feeling baches along the coast south of Paihia. However you're not going to get sandy beaches in the BoI unless you are willing to drive quite a long way out - like towards Rawhiti. It's a long way.
I think... I'd find a b&b, rather than a bach, for your first night somewhere along the coast near Warkworth. That's a very easy drive, the road is like a highway most of the way now, and then you've just got a stretch of smaller road to wherever you stay for the night.
Then you could either head back to SH1, and drive straight up to BoI, or you could continue along the coast - Leigh, Pakiri beach, Mangawhai, Waipu Cove, then back on to SH1 and drive THROUGH Whangarei and on up to BoI.
I just had a quick look, but there are LOADS of b&bs around Warkworth/sandspit/matakana area and I'm not sure what your budget is.

4

I agree with Lisa - both on her recommendations of beaches and not staying IN Whangarei (the beaches around there are pretty stunning though - Matapouri being one of my favourites in the entire country).

At that time of night you shouldnt hit much traffic heading North and would reach Warkworth in just over an hour at a guess. From there its only a short trip to a number of stunning beaches.

From here you can head up for day trips to Paihia and the Tutukaka Coast or explore the surrounding area with Matakana providing a number of vineyards for wine tours, great little weekend markets and Goat Island near by (a marine reserve with top snorkelling).

Hope this helps

5

Just to be clear, I was suggesting that JoyV stay one night near Warworth, and then travel further north to a bach or similar for the next three nights...
I used to spend most of my summer school holidays just round the coast from Matapouri.

6

Oh yea. Lisa. Forgive the geographically challenged. I picked someone up from the airport last week and because it was morning peak hour traffic, I thought we'd take the long way via Kawakawa Bay and Clevedon/ Maraetai. Ended up at some beach God knows where and took only 3 wrong turns from there into Auckland.

7

LOL, sounds like a nice trip though!

8

In Jan I spent over 3 hours in KL trying to get from an LRT station to Chinatown (I'd left hubby back there because I "knew where to go" but got so lost I couldnt get back there) only to find later we'd got off the LRT 3 stops too soon.

9

LisaMNZ and westwood, thanks for your ideas.
We will take advantage of your suggestions in our travels around the area. After looking at hundreds of holiday places on the web I have booked accommodation in Onerahi, near the yacht club and jetty. It is only 2 hours from AKL and hopefully will provide a good stopping off place for us. JoyV

10

Good choice. If we hadnt bought in Auckland, Whangarei was the 2nd place we would have considered.

11

Should have added that we expect to arrive there at 8.15 p.m. or so and we will still be on Melbourne inner timeclocks , 2 hours behind. Think it may be wise to bring some packet food to eat for dinner as shops will be closed by the time we get on the road. Would that be ok with customs? JoyV

12

Wouldnt worry about bringing food with you. Most of our supermarkets dont close till 10pm and the Countdown up the road from the Airport (literally only a minute or so) is open 24hrs.

13

yeah, don't bother with the food etc.
While the supermarket in Onerahi is very small and won't be open late, Countdown in Whangarei is open till 10pm and you'll basically drive right past it on your way to Onerahi.
I can do Auckland to Whangarei in around 90 minutes, but it'll probably take you longer being unfamiliar with roads etc. And starting at the airport rather than central city.
It might be a good idea to stop somewhere on the way for some dinner? if you want suggestions... Warkworth would probably be a good halfway point.