Northlands Bay of Islands is an international favourite, with its subtropical climate, golden beaches and clear ocean water.
Small townships dot the region within a multitude of iconic areas, beautiful bays and scenic beaches.
The town of Waitangi is where Captain Cook signed New Zealand's Document "the treaty of Waitangi". It is here that you'll find an insight into both Māori culture and New Zealand history with live cultural performances and guided tours of the grounds and buildings on offer. Just next door you'll find Russell, renowned for its scenery and beaches.
Waitangi is home to the iconic Māori meeting house "Te Whare Runanga" which represents all New Zealand iwi (regional tribes) and marks the spot of the signing. The grounds are also home to "Ngatokimatawhaorua" - one of the world’s largest Māori ceremonial war canoes.
It was the north island's Bay of Islands that the first European settlers arrived, upon which they forged their first relationships with Maori - which had a tendency to be hostile on occasion. The region is the home to the historic signing of the Treaty of Waitangi which became the founding document for the country.
The Bay of Islands offers a layed back lifestyle with it's own unique culture displaying a wide diversification of atmosphere - from the up-market lifestyle of Kerikeri, to bustling Paihia, to the historic atmosphere of Waitangi, the Haruru Falls, and the beautiful sea-side town of Russell. You'll enjoy your stay here endulging in the scenery whilst basking in the warm climate.
For those art lovers we recommend visting Kawakawa for its famed Hundtertwasser toilets, definitely worth a look and completely original. The town of Gabriel offers a lovingly restored steam train for those rail enthusiasts whilst Kaikohe has its own Pioneer Village museum.
The region offers a highly sort luxury with resorts offering world-class locations and award-winning service, from Russell to the Bay of Islands and Kauri Cliffs.
The combinations of climate, history and shared culture offers you an memorable holiday in the Bay of Islands you won't forget.
"Small townships dot the region within a multitude of iconic areas, beautiful bays and scenic beaches."
THE STONE STORE & MISSION HOUSE
- Kerikeri
The Stone Store and Mission House are situated at the Kerikeri Basin and date back to 1836. The Stone Store is NZ's oldest stone building. Here you'll find interesting gifts and keeping with the stores heritage, goods from its era. Tours depart from the store for the wooden Mission House, NZ's oldest building built in 1822, and include entry to The Soul Trade exhibition on the 1st floor of the store.
Location: 246 Kerikeri Rd, Kerikeri.
Hours: Daily 10am - 5pm Nov - April | Daily 10am - 4pm May - Oct.
Price: free, tours $10.00
Web: http://www.historicplaces.org.nz/placestovisit/northland/stonestore.aspx?
WAITANGI TREATY GROUNDS - Waitangi
The Waitangi grounds are the most significant site in NZ's history (entry is free to NZ citizens with a passport or drivers license). It was here on 6 February 1840 that the first 43 Maori chiefs signed the Treaty of Waitangi with the British Crown.
The Treaty House was built in 1832 & is a memorial and museum containing displays of the regions history, including a copy of the treaty. Adjacent the well detailed meeting house "whare runanga" 1940, marks the centenary of the treaty. Guided tours are available as well as cultural performances - each are $18 Adults/$10 Child grouped $30 Adults /$15 Child.
Location: 1 Tau Henare Dr, Waitangi.
Hours: 9am-5pm Apr-Sep, 9am-7pm Oct-Mar
Price: free for NZ citizens, adult $25 /child $12 - performance fees apply.
Web: http://www.waitangi.org.nz
POMPAllIER MISSION - Russell
The Pompallier Mission was built in 1842 to house the printing press of the French Catholic Mission, and is the last remaining building of the mission in the Western Pacific. The building itself has printed a recorded 40,000 books here in Maori. Converted into a private home In the 1870s it has since been restored to its original state including the tannery and printing workshop. The tour available offers an on-hand approach to the missions environment of the time and a tour of the grounds.
Location: The Strand, Russell.
Price: Adult $10/ Child free, tour included.
Hours: 10am-4pm daily
Web: http://www.historicplaces.org.nz/placesToVisit/northland/PompallierMission.aspx
ST PAULS CHURCH - Paihia
St Paul’s was built in 1925 and stands on the site of New Zealand's first church. The building is built from Kawakawa stone with a gothic design. Apparently the birds in the stain glass windows represent Jesus and the
Williams Brothers who set up the mission, its best to ask the father on hand who will be able to advise you properly.
Location: 36 Marsden Rd, Paihia.
Hours: Sundays 10am Morning Prayer. 10am - 4pm to sight the church.
Price: free.
Web: http://www.historic.org.nz/TheRegister/RegisterSearch/RegisterResults.aspx?Rid=3824
OPUA FOREST - Paihia
Opua Forest is situated just behind Paihia and is home to the Horotutu Scenic Reserve. The Forest offers walking trails ranging from 10 minutes to five hours. There are a few large trees which have escaped mans presence, including some big kauri. For lookouts there are some good ones available from School Rd, you'll need to travel for about 30 minutes by foot.
I-SITE offers detailed pamphlets on all the Opua Forest walks. Driveable access is available by taking Oromahoe Rd west from Opua.
Location: By Car; take Oromahoe Rd west from Opua. By Foot; School Rd, Paihia.
Hours: 24
Price: free.
CHRIST CHURCH - Russell
Christ Church is the country's oldest church, constructed in 1836. Its graveyard consists of various memorials, the most significant is that of Tamati Waka Nene, a Ngapuhi chief from the Hokianga who sided against Hone Heke in the Northland War. The church still has musket and cannonball holes in its exterior dating from the 1845 battle. Charles Darwin is said to have made a donation towards the cost of its construction.
Location: Church Street, Russell.
Hours: 10am - 4pm.
Price: free, donations accepted.
Web: http://www.historic.org.nz/TheRegister/RegisterSearch/RegisterResults.aspx?Rid=1
EASTERN BAY OF ISLANDS - Off Paihia, Russell.
The Bay of Islands is the most popular tourist destination in the country & considered to be the birthplace of New Zealand as a bi-cultural nation. It was here that the Mataatua, one of the large Māori migration canoes, sailed to the Bay Of Islands by Puhi, a progenitor of the Ngāpuhi Iwi (tribe), the largest in the country today. Many of the Māori settlements have played important roles in New Zealand's deveolpment such as Okiato, the nation’s first capital, and Waitangi, where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. The Bay of Islands was the first area in New Zealand to be settled by Europeans.
Location: Stony Batter, Waiheke Island.
Price: free
Hours: 24
Web:
TAPEKA POINT - Russell
North of Russell, on the other side of Maiki hill, Tapeka Rd heads down to a quiet, sandy beach in the shadow of a craggy headland. A pa once stood at the top of the hill and you need only follow the pathway to realise that the position was strategic as well as scenic, with views stretching to the far northern reaches of the Bay of Islands.
Location: Russell.
Price: free
Hours: 24.
Web:
ROBERTON ISLAND/Motuarohia
- Offshore from Russell/ Paihia
Roberton Island retains its natural environment with only 5 private houses populating it. The Island has a significant Maori history and offers a range of recreation activities including a track to a Maori pa site and an educational underwater trail for snorkelers. The Island is the site of a number of archaeological sites including a pa, pits, terraces and gardens around the central lagoon area.
Location: Eastern Bay of Islands, offshore from Russell and Paihia.
Price: free, tours will charge.
Hours: 24.
URUPUKAPUKA ISLAND - 7.3km from Paihia
Urupukapuka Island is the largest island in the Bay of Islands and was previously settled by the Ngare Raumati tribe, one of the oldest tribes of the area. The Island consists of many sandy beaches and is surrounded by clear water. A popular diving sight is located on the east coast. The island is popular with walkers, sunbathers, divers, and swimmers. There are no facilities for those wishing to camp, more of a "back to nature" experience. There are 66 archeological sites on it, pa's, food storage units, village sites, gardens, most in good condition. Definitely a picturesque atmosphere on the right day.
Location: Eastern Bay of Islands, 7km's from Paihia.
Price: free
Hours: 24
MOTURUA ISLAND
- 8km's from Paihia.
Moturua Island is privately owned and offers a scenic reserve with 4 lovely beaches as well as a scenic track around the island. The island has 27 archaeological sites including headland pa, midden, gardening sites, terraces, and pits and a track which goes right around the island for 4.6km's.
The track will take you to four different beaches, some sand, some peeble & some stone.
Location: Eastern Bay of Islands, 8km's north from Paihia,
Price: free
Hours: 24
Web: http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-visit/northland/bay-of-islands/moturua-island-scenic-reserve/
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Home_North Island_Northland Region_Bay of Islands & Surrounds
Bay of Islands & Surrounds Sights
Kaeo, Moerewa, Ohaeawai, Kerikeri, Kawakawa
Okaihau, Russell, Paihia, Waitangi, Mangonui, Kohukohu, Taipa
Chris McLennan
Photo courtesy of Russell Street
Photo courtesy of Bay of Islands Information
Photo courtesy of Russell, New Zealand.
Photo courtesy of NZ Kayaking
Photo courtesy of NZ Kayaking
Photo courtesy of NZ Kayaking
Photo courtesy of NZ Kayaking