To the right of the GreatSights Centre (Tours and Cruise Booking Office) is an extremely popular chocolatier, Newport Chocolates (3 Cass Street, Russell), selling artisan products. There are also many art galleries, restaurants and cafes to suit a range of budgets.

Nearby, Long Beach is a nice place for a swim.  It is located to the east of Russell township.  It is a 5 minute drive, or 20 minute walk from the main street.  A road runs along the shoreline and you can park your car at any point along the beach.  It is a lovely spot to have a picnic or to eat your fish n’ chips.

There is a wide range of restaurants and cafes to choose from in Russell as well, including restaurant meals offering a wide range of food, RSA meals, Indian, Thai, Pizza, Fish and Chips.

Bay of Islands Sailing/Gungha II
The day sailing adventure is exciting, fun and informal.  They provide tasty morning snacks, sailing, a unique island stopover, snorkel gear, kayaks, hot showers and a yummy fresh lunch. Dolphins, penguins and seabirds are often sighted.

It departs daily from Paihia and Russell. The cost per adult is $95.

Paihia to Russell
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Russell to Paihia
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Visit the following website that gives a great overview of things to do in Russell as well as the general area, https://mustdonewzealand.co.nz/things-to-do-russell-tours-attractions/.

Paihia

Option 1: You may drive to Russell, park the car and take the passenger ferry: Russell to Paihia.  Little Taupiri – Russell 30 mins + Passenger ferry (Russell-Paihia) 15 mins

Option 2: You may choose to drive to Paihia, via Okiato taking the ferry across to Opua and on to Paihia.  Drive time: 1 hour (approx.)

Turn left at driveway.

Turn left at Manawaroa Road, don’t go onto metal/gravel surface

Turn left at T intersection onto Aucks Road – (turning right takes you to Russell for option 1). Drive straight for 3.3 km

Take the vehicle ferry to Opua.

Follow Franklin Street to State Highway 11 (Main Road to Paihia) 1 km

Turn right onto State Highway 11

Arrive in main township of Paihia in 6.5 km- about 10 mins.

There are lots of attractions in Paihia.  Paragliding, helicopter rides, searching for shells, markets, kayaking, jet skiing, tourist shops galore with an amazing range of souvenirs.  Even the chemist/pharmacy is worth a visit; it’s well stocked and the staff is keen to share their “local knowledge”.

Waitangi Treaty Grounds
1 Tau Henare Drive, Paihia
Phone: 09 402 7437

Open Daily except Christmas Day (25 December).  Summer hours 9am – 6pm.  March – December 9am – 5pm. If you would like to get a better understanding of how NZ became a nation then it will be of interest, worthy of your time.

Entry Costs (Day Pass)
Adult ………………………………………………………..…………..…….. $50

Child …………………………………………………………………………… Free
(up to 18 years old, accompanied by a parent/caregiver)

New Zealand Resident ……………………………………………… $25
(ID required)

Cultural performance
Performed by the resident group, Te Pitowhenua, gives a special introduction to New Zealand’s unique indigenous culture.  All performances begin with a traditional Maori welcome outside the meeting house.  After the show, you will have the opportunity to interact with the performers, ask questions and have your photo taken with the group.  Show has approx. duration of 30 minutes.  Shows: October and November (11am, 1pm, 3pm), December to March (11am, 12:30pm, 2 pm, 3:30pm), April to September (11am, 1pm).

Costs
Adult ……………………………………………………………………………. FREE with Pass
(extra to entry costs)

Child …………………………………………………………………………… FREE
(up to 18 years old, accompanied by a parent/caregiver)

Paihia Harbour Walk (Free)
There are plenty of water activities to see as you walk, particularly if it is a sunny day.  At the wharf, you may see stingray that come to the surface.

Salt Air Limited
Marsden Road, Paihia
Phone: 0800 472 582

They provide the choice of aeroplane or helicopter scenic flights around the maritime playground that is the Bay of Island.  Ring to discuss options and costs involved. This is available during the summer season from October to end of April.

Action World
54 Puketona Road, Paihia
Phone: 021 890 566

There’s lots of activities for the whole family.  There’s a trampoline, mini golf, water slide, climbing wall, trapeze and the X-treme Slide amongst other features that are for all ages and abilities. They also have two miniature ponies, two goats and –depending on the season – ducks in the duck pond.  Lots of fun for children of all ages.

Total Tours
1279 State Highway 11, Paihia
Phone: 0800 264 868 or 0274 983 559
Email: info@totaltours.co.nz
$70 Per Person

The Bay of Islands Wine, Food & Craft Tour offers guests a unique Taste Of The Bay. Itinerary changes seasonally.  Tour includes visits and free tastings at Local Vineyards, Chocolate Factory, Cheese Factory, Stone Store Picturesque Waterfall, and Honey Shop. Travel in air conditioned transport. Pick up points are available subject to prior arrangement.

Departs Paihia at 1:30pm and returns at 5:00pm.

Off the Beaten Track…

Waitangi Mountain Bike Park

A very popular Mountain Bike park that has quickly established itself as a tourist attraction in the North. 1 Day pass is a $10 donation.

Visit their website for full details at http://www.wmbp.nz.
Best to register online and pick up your tags at either I-Site or Fullers (Paihai).

New Zealand Cycle Trail (Twin Coast Trail)

Trail starts at Opua, follow the signs once you get off the Opua end of the ferry.  For full details please visit the website below.  Use the bikes that we provide for a great day out.

Visit the following website that gives a great overview of things to do in Paihia as well as the general area, https://mustdonewzealand.co.nz/things-to-do-paihia-tours-attractions/

Heading North…

Ngawha Thermal Springs
Ngawha Springs Road, Ngawha Springs
$4 Per Adult

Waiariki Pools not the pools at Ginns camp ground; they’re the one next to it.

Run by a local Maori family.  It has really basic facilities. There is a change room and bathroom (separate ones for each gender), but no lockers or showers. The place looks very run down but you will have an AMAZING experience. These rustic pools are wooden-sided and some are mud-bottomed.  The muddy sediment on the bottom should be rubbed on your face/body and left to dry for a natural body mask. Your skin will feel soft and luscious. Just remember to keep your head above water and drink LOTS of water, as the heat dries you out. Your body will know when you get in the water, which one will be best for you, as different ones have different healing properties. You can leave your belongs in bags to lay near the pool you are using or you can leave them with the guy at the main desk.

Be prepared for the opaque water, it doesn’t look anything like the clear water in tiled and concrete pools in the Rotorua area (Central North Island).

Ngawha Thermal Springs is a place well frequented by locals. Highly recommended activity!

Kerikeri
The township of Kerikeri offers its visitors so many things to do and see with lots of activities, short walks, wine tours and many attractions to choose from. Being the largest town in the Northland region of New Zealand and has a rich and colourful history.

Visit the following website that gives a great overview of things to do in Kerikeri as well as the general area, https://mustdonewzealand.co.nz/things-to-do-in-kerikeri/

Whangarei

Town Basin
This is the lovely marina area of Whangarei; where you can meet people from all over the world, or test your knowledge of the flags you can see on the boats.  It’s a great place to stretch your legs, with a playground for children. There are lots of cafes and specialty shops within this small complex. Public toilets are available at this venue.

Burning Issues Gallery
Arts and Crafts gallery specialize in contemporary New Zealand handcrafted glass, ceramics, wood pieces, paintings and prints by local artists. 

Most days you can watch glass blowers engaged in the process of hand blowing glass.  There is a viewing platform between the gallery and the studio, so you can get a good view.

They ship worldwide, always taking care to pack to the highest standard. Highly recommend!

Open 7 days a week, from 10 am to 5pm. 

Fudge Farm
A specialty shop where you can get old-fashioned creamy fudge in many flavours. If you have a bit of a sweet tooth, then this place is for you!

Heritage Trail and Art Walk
The path alongside the waterfront has been landscaped and enhanced with a number of sulptures commissioned from local artists.  At the end of the walkway, about ten minutes stroll, starting from the Town Basin, is the Waka and Wave sculpture.  The Heritage trail storyboards tell the history of Maori and European settlement in Whangarei.

Mair Park
The park was donated to the people of Whangarei in 1914 by Robert Mair, a local native plant enthusiast, and has been a popular bathing and gathering place for many years. Experience the beautiful Hatea River via various tracks/trails.

Walks in the Hatea River Reserve are metalled, all weather tracks suitable for all age groups. Track markers, with the sign of an eel (tuna), guide visitors along the length of the walk.

The start of the track can also be reached by an easy 5 minute walk from the Mair Park carpark, located off Hatea Drive, at the end of Rurumoki Steet .

Whangarei Museum, Kiwi House and Heritage Park
500 State Highway 14, Maunu, Whangarei

Kiwi North is set on 25 hectares of rolling, volcanic farmland, forest and bush with views that overlook the city of Whangarei.  It features a museum, a nocturnal kiwi house and gift store and unique Victorian heritage buildings.  Pack a picnic and explore this unique site.  Ice creams, cold drinks and packaged snacks are available at visitor reception.

Day is transformed into night inside their state of the art Kiwi house.  You may see the kiwi foraging for food as they would in the wild. You are able to take photos without flash! You also will see NZ’s most iconic reptile and last living relative of the dinosaurs, the Tuatara.  

Behind the Kiwi House is the local bird sanctuary for sick or injured birds.  You may also be lucky to hear the talking tui and/or morepork! Even luckier, is if the owner brings out “Sparky” the kiwi and lets you pet him.

Admission Prices
Kiwi North Family Pass (2 adults and 3 children) ……………………………..…… $35
Adult ……………………………………………………………..…………………….……………..……… $15
Seniors ………………………….…………………………………………………….…………………….. $10          
Child 5 years and over …………………………………………..………………………..……….. $5
Child under 5 years …………………………………………………………………………….……. FREE

Remember to always take plenty of water, food, clothing and wear sunscreen.

Visit the following website that gives a great overview of things to do in Whangarei as well as the general area, https://mustdonewzealand.co.nz/things-to-do-in-whangarei/

Wineries in the Area

Omata Estate Vineyard and Kitchen
Phone: 09 403 8007
Email: info@omata.co.nz

It is a boutique vineyard on a sunny peninsula, heading on the road towards the Opua Ferry.  The Kitchen is a relaxed style eatery serving platters and wood fired pizzas.  It is about 20-25 minutes drive away.  They also offer wine tastings, lasting between 10-30 minutes.  No booking required.  Cellar door is open for purchasing their products.

Open 7 days 11am – 6pm  

January and February Sunday evening 9pm

Things to do in New Zealand

Finally, in case your travels take you outside the Northland area you can visit the following website to give you lots of ideas for your nationwide tour - https://www.your-rv-lifestyle.com/things-to-do-in-new-zealand/