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Bay of Islands & Surrounds Sights
Kaeo, Moerewa, Ohaeawai, Kerikeri, Kawakawa
Okaihau, Russell, Paihia, Waitangi, Mangonui, Kohukohu, Taipa
Chris McLennan
Photo courtesy of JShook, Wikipedia.
MISSION HOUSE/ KEMP HOUSE - Kerikeri
The Kerikeri Mission House (1821-1822) was built by the London-based Church Missionary Society, the mission which was under the protection of Hongi Hika, the Bay of Islands most influential Māori leader. Significant for its association with archaeological findings and its historic landscape.
The mission is a cradle of nationhood, due to its association with early contact between Māori and missionaries. Entry is only by guided tour.
Location: 246 Kerikeri Rd, Kerikeri.
Hours: Daily 10am - 5pm Nov - April Daily 10am - 4pm May - Oct
Price: Adults $10, Child free.
Web: http://www.historicplaces.org.nz/placestovisit/northland/kerikerimissionstation.aspx
Photo courtesy of Russell Museum
RUSSELL MUSEUM - Russell.
The Russell Museum offers a small, modern experience with a well-presented Maori section encompassing a large 1:5-scale model of Captain Cook’s Endeavour. There is also a 10-minute video on the town’s history.
Location: 2 York Street, Russell.
Price: Adult - $7.50 / Children - $2.
Hours: 10am - 5pm and February - December: 10am - 4pm.
TE RAWHITI PENINSULA - Bay of Islands
Te Rawhiti Peninsula is a picturesque area offering a small beachfront town with beautiful beaches and spectacular views. The area is a popular holiday spot for sailing, fishing and water sports. Most of the land in the area is owned by Māori.
Location: 27km's south from Russell, Bay of Islands.
Price: free
Hours: 24
Web:
Photo courtesy of Prestige Realty NZ.
RAINBOW FALLS - Kerikeri
The Rainbow Falls are a single-drop waterfall and differ from most waterfalls because they are sited on a hard basalt layer of rock beside softer mudstone. They boast a height of 27 metres and are popular with tourists and regularly photographed.
Location: Rainbow Falls Road, off Waipapa Road, Kerikeri.
Price: free
Hours: 24
Photo courtesy of Kaiwhakahaere, wikipedia.
WHAREPUKE FALLS - Kerikeri
The Wharepuke Falls offers a picturesque environment for that summers day of relaxation. The falls were intially called the Kerikeri Falls until 1930 when they were given the name "Wharepuke", referring to the native bush adjacent.
Take the the Kerikeri River track to the falls which lead off from the trail near Rewa's village carpark.
Location: Kerikeri Rd, Kerikeri.
Price: free
Hours: 24.
Web:
Photo courtesy of Sven Dobat
FAIRY POOLS - Kerikeri.
The Fairy Pools are situated on Kerikeri Rd and offer a quiet haven just a few minutes walk away from the centre. The pools offer a variety of areas all with their own piece of magic. Initially you'll find a peaceful grassy area surrounded by tall gum trees and water cascading over a small stony rapid. Further up stream, if you follow the track, you'll find rocky outcrops forming sheltered swimming pools.
Take the Kerikeri River track to the falls which lead off from the trail near Rewa's village carpark.
Location: Kerikeri Rd, Kerikeri.
Price: free
Hours: 24
Web:
Photo courtesy of Alicia in NZ, Flickr
Photo courtesy of Long Bach Nguyen
LONG BEACH - Russell
Long Beach is located to the east of the Russell township, a 20min walk from the main st or 5min drive. The Beach is a safe swimming beach. Perfect for families. Kayaking is popular on the beach since you can paddle round to the next bay in a few minutes. The Beach has limited facilities with car parking available alongside it. To walk the expanse of the beach will take you around 30mins.
Location: Long Beach Rd, Russell.
Price: free
Hours: 24
Web:
REWA'S VILLAGE - Kerikeri
Rewa's Village offers a reproduction of an 18th century Maori fishing village. The village is built in the traditional way using native materials with explanatory noticeboards featured on each building. All plants are labelled describing medical and practical uses.
The village offers an historic overview providing a 12-minute video of the Kerikeri basin and buildings to aid in your visit.
Location: 1 Landing Road, Kerikeri.
Price: Adult $2.50 Child $0.50 Family $6.
Hours: Summer 9am-5pm Winter 10am-4pm.
Web:
Photo courtesy of Rewa's Village
Photo courtesy of Cape Brett Challenge
CAPE BRETT WALK - Cape Brett
Cape Brett is situated on the northern coast at the end of the Cape Brett Peninsula. The walk begins at Oke Bay in Rawhiti and ends below the lighthouse at the end of the Cape Brett peninsula. The track is approximately 16.5 kilometres and takes around 8-hours to complete. the terrain is reasonably undulating and at times steep up to a maximum height of 345 metres. You'll find that the track is well marked and maintained.
Location: Cape Brett, Cape Brett Peninsula.
Hours: 24
Price: free
Photo courtesy of newzealandwars.co.nz
KORORIPO PA - Kerikeri
The Kororipo Pa encloses the kerikeri basin and was once an unfortified Pa where Maori chief Hongi Hika and Rewa's people lived. The Pa was in the centre of the northland musket wars and played a part in the formation of New Zealand's multi-cultural nation.
Location: Kerikeri Basin, Kerikeri.
Price: free
Hours: 24.
KERIKERI BASIN - Kerikeri.
Kerikeri Basin offers an historic insight into the early living environment for the merging of the european & Maori cultures, first welcoming missionaries in 1819. The basin is where both cultures first worked, lived and traded together. Here you'll find the Old Stone Store & Kororipo Pa, Koropiro meaning "swirling waters" for the river it overlooked. The pa was the centre of the musket war campaigns of 1807-1842.
Location: 246 Kerikeri Rd, Kerikeri.
Price: free
Hours: 24
Web: http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/7790/the-kerikeri-basin
Photo courtesy of NZ Community Development Trust
Photo courtesy of Roger Grace MarineNZ
MIMIWHANGATA COASTAL PARK
- Mimiwhangata Bay
The Mimiwhangata Coastal Park has a varied scape – low, steep ridges, chains of islands, stacks and reefs. An all encompassing piece of paradise. The coastal park also consists of a marine park which is 2000 hectares and was established to provide protection to the local marine life. The water here is so clear, best to visit the area on a sunny summers day.
Location: Mimiwhangata Bay - 48km's from Whangarei, 52km's from Russell.
Price: free
Hours: 24