What To Do
The Bay of Islands and surrounds offer an abundance of activites - all within close distance to our centrally located apartments.
By Sea
“Hole in the Rock” boat cruise – one of the most popular ways to explore the bay of islands, this tour cruises through the islands along the Cape Brett peninsula to the historic Cape Brett lighthouse and the “Hole in the Rock’” which you cruise through (weather permitting). Included is an island stopover at Urupukapuka Island where you can enjoy stunning island walks and beaches or just relax at the restaurant.
Otehei Bay ferry – A cost effective way to experience the bay, this ferry leaves Paihia on a 40 minute journey to Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island and has several return times throughout the day (varying summer/winter timetables). Spend the day on the island and explore the many beautiful beaches like Paradise Bay, Sunset Bay and Urupukapuka Bay. Paddleboard, kayak and snorkel hire are available on the island so pack a picnic (or have lunch at the restaurant) and enjoy some island time!
Sailing – several tours options are available for those keen to experience the Bay by sailing. All tours include an island stopover. R Tucker Thompson offers the experience of tall ship sailing and Carino Wildlife Cruise offers dolphin watching.
Fishing – Full day or half day fishing charters are plentiful in the Bay. Just choose your targeted species and get ready for a great day out. If you are lucky enough to bring back your catch, the Bay of Islands Swordfish club will cook it for you.
Other water-based activities include scuba diving, parasail, paddleboard/kayak hire, Jet Ski hire.
By Land
Cape Reinga Tour – At the Cape, the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean in a spectacular swirl of currents. At the northernmost tip of the Cape is the gnarled Pohutukawa tree believed to be over 800 years old. According to Māori oral history, the spirits of deceased Māori leap from this tree into the ocean to return to their ancestral homeland of Hawaiki. The coach tour also includes the option to surf down giant sand dunes – towering well over 150 metres high in some parts. Lunch is included in tour price.
Self-drive: 3 hours from Paihia or Coach: 11 hours return.
Waitangi Mountain Bike Park - Waitangi Mountain Bike Park provides the perfect introduction to mountain biking with lots of easy, scenic trails that you can take at your own pace. It offers 30 trails of varying difficulty with great flow and features, from introductory downhill riding, jump trails, cross country, and beginner trails. Bike hire is available from Paihia Mountain Bike Rentals. For those wanting more of a scenic ride – check out Top Trail cycle tours offering bike hire/pickups/drop offs along the Twin Coast Cycle Trail.
Waipoua Forest – A great stop if heading back south along the west coast. This forest is the home of Tane Mahuta, the country’s largest kauri tree which is approximately 2000 years old and still growing. Kauri is part of New Zealand’s heritage, but kauri dieback is threatening their extinction. Please respect displayed kauri protection guidelines when visiting areas.
Drive times: 1 hour 45 minutes
Waitangi Golf Course – Just 5 minutes from here, you can enjoy a stunning 18-hole golf course with fantastic sea views, whether you are looking for a challenge or a relaxed round, Waitangi Golf Club will cater for you. Visitors are most welcome all year round.
By Air
Salt Air Scenic Flights - Salt Air can offer you a unique and memorable experience of the Bay of Islands and Northland from the air with spectacular coastline views and island scenery. Options include landing by helicopter on the Hole in the Rock or get the best view of the Far North from a small sea plane as you fly to Cape Reinga.
Sky Dive Bay of Islands – For the adrenaline seekers, cruise up to 18,000ft and soak up scenery of all 144 islands that make up the Bay of Islands before you jump, reaching speeds of up to 200 km per hour, experiencing the thrill of free fall is something you’ll never forget.
Culture & Heritage
Waitangi Treaty Grounds – Waitangi Treaty Grounds is a must see – a place where much of New Zealand’s modern history was shaped. Often called ‘the Birthplace of our Nation.’ Visit Waitangi to see the Treaty House where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. Explore the two contemporary museums, Te Rau Aroha Museum of the Price of Citizenship and Te Kōngahu Museum of Waitangi, Treaty House, Te Whare Rūnanga and traditional Māori waka taua. Visitors can also enjoy a full program of tours and cultural performances.
Stone Store (Kerikeri) – Constructed to hold mission supplies and when from the mission farm at Te Waimate, but the building was mainly leased as a kauri gum trading store. Today, you can shop for authentic frontier trade goods and classically branded Kiwiana products recalling the great kiwi summer holiday and the Stone Store’s place in history as a Northland tourism icon.
The Kemp House (Kerikeri) – was built by Māori sawyers and missionary carpenters from the London based Church Missionary Society in 1820-21. Kemp house pre-dates the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi by almost 20 years. Enjoy a tour including a large range of furniture and personal items owned by the missionary families that lived there.
Pompallier House (Russell)– Built in 1842, Pompallier Mission originally housed a printery where Church texts were translated from Latin to te reo Māori, then printed and bound. It is just one of several buildings, including a chapel and various outhouse, which once stood in this crowded enclave.
Today the printery stands as New Zealand’s oldest industrial building, as well as the oldest of rammed-earth construction, distinctly French in style. Pompallier Mission offers one of New Zealand’s most enjoyable heritage tours, starting at the gatehouse beyond which lie the glorious gardens that surround the Printery.
Beautiful Beaches
Coopers Beach – A great expanse of unspoiled fine sand backed by rows of beautiful Pohutukawa trees.
Cable Bay – A beautiful pink-coral and golden sand beach with small lagoons and rock pools.
Both about 1 hours 10 minutes north of Paihia
Matai Bay – A small semi-circular cove, it is sheltered from the ocean swells and offers ideal swimming and sunbathing. Located at the end of the Karikari Peninsula past Tokerau Beach.
Matauri Bay – Just 45 minutes north of Paihia, Matauri Bay is a safe a beautiful spot to swim. Walk up to the Rainbow Warrior Memorial on the headland and enjoy spanning views of the Cavalli Islands. When the swells roll in, there is some great boogie boarding and surfing, otherwise enjoy the pristine waters of the bay.
Ti Beach – Paihia. Why not stay close and enjoy the safe swimming beach directly across from your accommodation. Make use of the community BBQ next to the playground and spend your day swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking.
Walks
School Road track (Paihia Lookout) – this short walk is accessed at the end of School Road in Paihia. Stroll along a well-maintained track through wetlands before climbing up through regenerated native forest to a lookout point high over Paihia.
START POINT: School Road, Paihia, 700m from central Paihia
LENGTH: 1.5km
TIME: 1 hour return
Haruru Falls Track: This walk starts at the historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds and takes you up to the stunning horseshoe shaped Haruru Falls. The walk follows the Waitangi River through native bush and through mangrove trees along a boardwalk. You can walk from Paihia to the start of this track in Waitangi, and that will take about 30 minutes.
START POINT: Waitangi Treaty Grounds
LENGTH: 6km one way
TIME: 2.5 hours one way
Paihia to Opua Costal Walk – A relatively gentle coastal walk that is well-trodden and very scenic. The full walk is just under 6 km, taking you from the centre of Paihia along the main beach, round the coastline (can be tricky at high tide! Check the tides, but you can take the footpath along the main road) to Opua.
LENGTH: 5.5 km
TIME: 2.5 hrs
This walkway can be completed on its own in parts or as part of The Full Circle Day Walk (6-8 hours) – PAIHIA – OPUA – OKIATO – RUSSELL
You can also check out the village shopping centre, local restaurants and wineries, weekly farmers markets in Paihia and Kerikeri, cycling trails or just relax and enjoy the scenery from your balcony.
