Northland Bay of Islands
3
Day Itinerary •
New Zealand
Three days in Northland and the Bay of Islands take you to the birthplace of New Zealand, where 144 islands dot the most extraordinary subtropical bay in the country and the Waitangi Treaty Grounds mark the founding of the nation in 1840. From the extraordinary turquoise waters of the Bay of Islands and the historic Paihia waterfront to the dramatic Cape Reinga lighthouse at the very tip of New Zealand, where the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet in extraordinary visible collision. This route covers the essential Northland. Paihia and the Bay of Islands boat cruise through the extraordinary island archipelago, the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and the remarkable carved meeting house, Russell the first European town in New Zealand, and the extraordinary drive north along Ninety Mile Beach to Cape Reinga where Maori tradition holds that the souls of the dead depart New Zealand.
Best Time To Visit
Year-round. Nov to Apr warmest for swimming. Drier Dec to Feb.
Getting There
Drive 3 hours north from Auckland, or bus from Auckland to Paihia.
Getting Around
Car essential for Cape Reinga. Ferries between Paihia and Russell.
Budget Per Day
Approx NZ$200 to NZ$400 per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, mostly short walks and drives
DAY 1
PAIHIA AND BAY OF ISLANDS
MORNING
PAIHIA WATERFRONT AND THE BAY OF ISLANDS
Paihia is the most extraordinary small resort town in Northland, its remarkable waterfront on the Bay of Islands giving direct access to 144 islands scattered across the most extraordinary subtropical bay in New Zealand. The extraordinary turquoise water, the pohutukawa-lined foreshore and the remarkable view across the bay to Russell, the first European settlement in New Zealand, give the finest arrival experience in the north. The town itself is small and entirely walkable. Travel: 2.5 hour cruise
MIDDAY
THE BAY OF ISLANDS CRUISE AND HOLE IN THE ROCK
The Bay of Islands cruise is the most extraordinary boat experience in Northland, the remarkable passage through the 144 islands of the bay giving continuous extraordinary scenery and the finest opportunity to see bottlenose dolphins riding the bow wave. The extraordinary Piercy Island with its famous Hole in the Rock, a sea cave large enough for the boat to pass through, is the highlight of the cruise. Dolphins are seen on approximately 90 percent of trips. Approx NZ$120. Travel: 10 min ferry
AFTERNOON
RUSSELL, NEW ZEALAND'S FIRST EUROPEAN TOWN
Russell across the bay from Paihia is the most extraordinary historic town in New Zealand, the first permanent European settlement in the country and the site of extraordinary Maori and European conflict in the 1840s. The remarkable Christ Church, built in 1836 and the oldest surviving church in New Zealand, still bears musket ball holes from the 1845 bombardment. The extraordinary Pompallier Mission and the Russell Museum tell the remarkable story. Church free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Urupukapuka Island in the Bay of Islands is the most extraordinary free island walk in Northland, accessible by water taxi from Paihia with extraordinary coastal views of the entire bay from its ridge. The island has the finest predator-free bird sanctuary in the Bay of Islands. Water taxi approx NZ$30 return. The finest hidden island in the bay.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Paihia Coffee and breakfast before the Bay of Islands cruise. | Lunch: Lunch on the cruise boat Outstanding packed lunch on the bay. Local seafood available. | Dinner: The Duke of Marlborough, Russell Outstanding historic hotel restaurant. First liquor licence in NZ. Local seafood.
DAY 2
WAITANGI TREATY GROUNDS
MORNING
WAITANGI TREATY GROUNDS
The Waitangi Treaty Grounds are the most significant historical site in New Zealand, the place where the Treaty of Waitangi between the British Crown and Maori chiefs was signed on 6 February 1840, founding the nation. The extraordinary carved meeting house, the remarkable Treaty House built in 1833, the largest war canoe in New Zealand and the extraordinary guided cultural performance give the finest insight into New Zealand's founding document and its ongoing significance. Entry approx NZ$50. Travel: 10 min ferry
MIDDAY
RUSSELL EXPLORATION AND CHRIST CHURCH
Russell's extraordinary collection of 19th-century buildings along the waterfront gives the finest historic streetscape in Northland, the remarkable Pompallier Mission of 1841 with its extraordinary tanning and printing rooms, the Christ Church with its musket ball holes, and the Duke of Marlborough Hotel with its remarkable history as the site of New Zealand's first liquor licence giving the most concentrated historic experience in the north. Pompallier entry approx NZ$18. Travel: 10 min ferry back
AFTERNOON
HARURU FALLS AND THE WAITANGI ESTUARY WALK
Haruru Falls above Paihia is the most extraordinary accessible waterfall in the Bay of Islands, a horseshoe waterfall on the Waitangi River reachable by a remarkable boardwalk through extraordinary mangrove forest from Paihia. The 4km return walk through the extraordinary coastal mangrove wetland is the finest short nature walk in Northland. The extraordinary falls are most impressive after rain. Entirely free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Te Tii Marae north of Waitangi is the most extraordinary living marae in the Bay of Islands, where the annual Waitangi Day celebrations on 6 February bring together Maori and New Zealanders in the most significant gathering in the country. The approach road gives extraordinary views of the Waitangi estuary. Free to view from road.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast or cafe Coffee before the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. | Lunch: Cafe in Russell Outstanding waterfront cafe. Local green-lipped mussels and New Zealand fish. | Dinner: Provenir Restaurant, Paihia Outstanding Paihia restaurant. Local Bay of Islands seafood and New Zealand lamb.
DAY 3
CAPE REINGA
MORNING
DRIVE TO CAPE REINGA VIA NINETY MILE BEACH
The drive north from Paihia to Cape Reinga takes approximately 2.5 hours through the extraordinary Northland landscape of rolling hills, pohutukawa-lined coast and the remarkable Twin Coast Discovery Highway. The extraordinary Ninety Mile Beach on the west coast of Northland, actually 88km of unbroken surf beach, is the most remarkable beach highway in New Zealand. Driving on the beach requires experience and tide awareness. Tour operators drive it safely. Travel: 1 hour at cape
MIDDAY
CAPE REINGA LIGHTHOUSE
Cape Reinga at the northern tip of New Zealand is the most extraordinary spiritual site in the country, the place where the Maori believe the souls of the dead depart New Zealand by sliding down the roots of the ancient pohutukawa tree into the sea below. The extraordinary lighthouse gives the finest panorama in Northland, the visible line where the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean meet in extraordinary swirling currents below. Entirely free. Travel: 2.5 hour drive back
AFTERNOON
TE PAKI STREAM SAND DUNES
The Te Paki Stream sand dunes near Cape Reinga are the most extraordinary inland sand dunes in New Zealand, the remarkable 150-metre dunes of pure white sand giving the finest sandboarding experience in the north. The extraordinary sandboarding down the dunes into the flowing stream is the finest active experience near Cape Reinga. Boogie boards for hire at the dunes. The extraordinary landscape is unlike anywhere else in New Zealand.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Tapotupotu Bay campsite below Cape Reinga is the most extraordinary free campsite in Northland, a beautiful DOC campsite in an extraordinary sheltered bay within walking distance of the lighthouse. The finest stargazing in Northland away from all light pollution. Camping approx NZ$15 per person. The most extraordinary overnight location near Cape Reinga.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast in Paihia Early departure breakfast before the Cape Reinga drive. | Lunch: Picnic or food van near Cape Reinga Pack provisions. Limited options at the cape itself. | Dinner: Restaurant in Paihia Outstanding farewell Northland dinner. Local seafood and New Zealand lamb.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Paihia, Nights 1 to 2 Paihia Beach Resort or Ala Moana Lodge. Waterfront. Approx NZ$180 to NZ$350. Budget Option Base Backpackers Paihia or YHA. Central location. Approx NZ$40 to NZ$100 per night.
Top Tips
1. Book the Bay of Islands cruise in advance in summer. The Hole in the Rock tour fills quickly.
2. The Waitangi Treaty Grounds guided tour is the finest introduction to Maori and New Zealand history.
3. Cape Reinga tours from Paihia drive along Ninety Mile Beach. Check tides and only go with a guide.
4. Russell is easily reached by the 10-minute passenger ferry from Paihia. Worth an evening visit.
5. Dolphins are commonly seen on Bay of Islands cruises year-round. Swimming with dolphins requires a permit.
6. The drive from Auckland to Paihia takes about 3 hours. Highway 1 north through Whangarei is straightforward.
Total Budget
Approx NZ$200 to NZ$400 per person per day