To Do Links

A three-hour drive or 35 minute flight north of Auckland, the Bay of Islands encompasses 144 islands between Cape Brett and the Purerua Peninsula and includes the boutique towns of Opua, Paihia, Russell and Kerikeri, and Whangaroa

Housekeeping

Bay of Islands Airport (KKE) is ten minutes from Kerikeri and 45 minutes from our apartment hotel. Up to five scheduled passenger flights a day connect KKE with Auckland and, from there, the rest of New Zealand and the wider world. Air New Zealand Link operates a regular, scheduled service using Bombardier Dash 8 Q300 (50 seats) aircraft. Air Nelson operates Dash 8s. The airport caters to private and charter flights also.

Car Rental – Hertz, and Blue Star Car rentals are the only car rental agencies with offices at the Kerikeri airport. They’re small, and limited in their offerings.

Medical Emergencies – There is no hospital in Whangaroa, Kaeo, or Kerikeri. Three emergency services operate nerverthess, out of Kaitaia, Whangarei and Hokianga. List of hospital include

Pharmacies – Kaeo has a pharmacy, and there are pharmacies in Kerikeri, and Manganui.

Police – There is no police station in Whangaroa. A small police post exists in Kaeo. Most of the police complaints are handled by Kerikeri Police Station.

Bus Services – Intercity Bus Services have a stop at Kerikeri. They pass thru Kaeo, and often pick and drop at Kaeo on individual basis, even though they have no stop at Kaeo.

Taxi Sevices – There are several taxi and shuttle services in Kerikeri, a multitude to choose from. None in Whangaroa or surrounds.

Groceries -There are no grocery shops in Whangaroa. The nearest shops are located in Kaeo, Manganui and Kerikeri. Kaeo has a Four Square, Manganui has a Four Square. Kerikeri has Countdown and NewWorld.

Laundry – There are self service laundromats in Kerikeri and in Manganui.

Gas Stations – There are two gas stations in Kaeo – Allied Gas & Petroleum and BP. If you’re heading north, there a Gas station in Cooper’s beach.

Restaurants – The Whangaroa Sport Fish Cafe is the only eating place in Whangaroa. It opens in the afternoon. There is a Madhatter’s Cafe , The Old Saddlery Cafe, a Fish and Chips Shop, and an Indian Restaurant in Kaeo, a famous Fish Shop, The Thai Restaurant, and an Indian restaurant in Manganui. There may be more, my information may not be complete.

Note: If you are a local business and want to get on this list, please contact me at 027 709 7701.

Recreation

Northland can be accessed thru road, or thru water. If you’re arriving with a boat, there are a plenitude of Boat Ramps In Northland.

The ‘Winterless North’ is home to a subtropical climate year-round, making it easy to enjoy the many unique coastal attractions on offer. Don’t miss the Bay of Islands, where you’ll find beautiful Urupukapuka Island and the maritime adventure playground of Russell’s Tapeka Point. An hour from here lies the sheltered harbour of Tutukaka, gateway to the Poor Knights Marine Reserve which is famous worldwide for its colourful diving opportunities. Tutukaka Coast is considered to be one of the world’s top five diving locations. You can dive wrecks, drop-offs and sub-tropical reefs in clean, clear waters. You can explore huge kelp forests, swim with school fish or alongside dolphins. For a different adventure and experience, try kayak diving or a descent after dark.

If you’re interested in visiting ancient Kauri Forests, head to Trounson Kauri Forest or Waipoua Forest. The latter is home to the mighty Tane Mahuta, or Lord of the Forest – this majestic Kauri tree is over two thousand years old; with a girth of 13.8m and height of 51m. For those seeking adventure, grab a boogie board and head to Hokianga, home of the Te Paki Sand Dunes. Catch a ferry across the harbour then zoom down the towering dunes on your boogy board. Climb to the top, catch your breath, and repeat!

Lets start our scenic and adventurous journey from Whangerie, the metropolitan of Northland. The city of Whangarei is a thriving city with a vibrant arts community. Quayside is a popular place to relax and watch the boats from a café. This Whangārei town basin is a sophisticated yet leisurely centre for eating and entertainment. Head for the summit of Mount Parihaka, the highest point in the city. It was once the site of the largest Māori Pā (fortified village) in New Zealand. The excavations are still visible, and interpretation of the area is provided at the site, which can be accessed by a pleasant walk through native forest from the summit. And don’t miss the six scenic waterfalls.

As you head for Far North, golden beaches, secluded coves, tranquil harbours, warm waters, dramatic coastlines and spectacular forest, Northland is also rich in a unique history.

Top local adventures in Paihia include dolphin cruising to the ‘hole in the rock’ at the tip of Cape Brett, and sea kayak tours. Fast boats to the Hole in the Rock, fishing, sea kayaks, sailing, scuba diving and more. Hire your own kayaks, paddleboards, bike, and more with Bay Beach Hire. For a bird’s-eye view try parasailing, a scenic helicopter flight or for the more adventurous option, skydiving!

Paihia is also just down the road from the historic Treaty House at Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Discover the history of New Zealand at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds – a journey of discovery through New Zealand’s most important historic site. The historic Treaty House at Waitangi marks the beginning of New Zealand as a nation and is great place to experience some Maori culture. From Waitangi Historic Reserve – where the treaty that made New Zealand a British colony was signed – to the mythical Hokianga Harbour and Kauri Coast; Northland is rich in Māori culture and historical places. Embark on an intimate and spiritual tour through the Waipoua Forest with Footprints Waipoua. Learn about the Māori creation story and gods such as Tāne Mahuta, the world’s largest Kauri Tree. Journey into Te Ao Māori, the Māori world at Manea Frontprints of Kupe. Immerse yourself in the stories of great ancestor, Kupe through guided storytelling, art, tāonga (cultural treasures), film, performance, digital interaction, and the splendour of Hokianga’s natural surroundings.

Haruru Falls is one of several beautiful waterfalls in the Bay of Islands. The waterfalls are about 5km from Paihia in the Bay of Islands. In Te Reo Māori, ‘haruru’ means “big noise.” The torrent of water raging over the horseshoe-shaped falls roars down the walking track that follows the inlet. You’ll hear Haruru Falls long before you arrive.

The road leading into Kerikeri is bordered by orchards, roadside stalls offer the chance to buy seasonal fruit. Look out for signs showing the way to artists’ studios, which give this district its creative personality. In Kerikeri you’ll find galleries, cafes, vineyards and fascinating historic sites such as the Stone Store and the Mission House. There are also superb bush walks in the area – Rainbow Falls is a perfect picnic spot. Spend the evening at Paihia at the heart of the Bay of Islands. Check out the Te Ara Coast to Coast Map for hidden gems between the Bay of Islands and Hokianga. Catch a cruise to the outer islands, go on a dolphin swimming safari, or take a ferry to the charming township of Russell.

A choice of tour operators in the region offer excellent trips by sea or air to spectacular Cape Brett and the ‘Hole in the Rock’ on Piercy Island. A passenger ferry service runs between Paihia and Russell, while a vehicle ferry provides a link between Opua and Russell. On land, enjoy beautiful river and seaside walking tracks or encounter the mighty Kauri Tree in pristine subtropical rainforest. Embark on a voyage of discovery and enjoy the beauty of this area when you join a daily cruise, charter a yacht or hire a sea kayak. Once you’re around Tapeka Point – just north of Russell – you’ll enter a maritime adventure playground with an abundance of wildlife including penguins, dolphins, marlin, whales, gannets and more. Many of the islands here have walking tracks.

So, there a lot To Do In Bay Of Islands. And when you’re done with all this, there’s much more to come, because we are past Kerikeri, and at Whangaroa, at last…..

You can visit the Whangaroa Harbour by land or sea. For Trekking Around Whangaroa, (or tramping as Kiwis like to call it), to a Maori pa site, Whangaroa offers visitors a number of interesting places. Motukawanui Island is accessed from here. There are also a number of walks and trekking areas. Visit some of the area’s archaeological sites and the memorial for the Rainbow Warrior at Matauri Bay. For Forest Walks, visit any of the nearby forests, enjoy their breathtaking scenery, watch birds and see the magnificent ancient kauri trees. There is mountain biking, hiking. There’s the Duke’s Nose, for walking and tramping. And our own, Ohakiri rock, a part of the Maori legend that tells of the formation of the harbour. Today it is a significant landmark within the district and commands the inner harbour. Ohakiri is regionally significant as one of the only accessible tangible remains of Whangaroa’s early Maori and European history. The view from the top is to die for.

Whangaroa is a also a fishing village. If you’re into fishing, Book a charter, or explore its stunning areas to by boat. Read all about boating in Whangaroa. Book a boating tour. A list of charter fishing boats is found on the Whangaroa Sport Fishing Club‘s website. Many are available for harbour tours or a half day fishing charter. Serious anglers may wish to venture outside the harbour to our world famous deep sea fishing grounds in search of big game fish. If sailing is more your style, there are two yachts available: Whangaroa Yacht Charters and ‘Snowcloud’. For an even more laid-back experience, Whangaroa Houseboat Holidays offers a self-skippered, flat-bottomed house-boat, ideal for gently cruising around the harbour’s many sheltered bays and calm waters. Bookings essential. Check it out on www.houseboatrentals.co.nz

Whangaroa is surrounded by some of the most spectacular beaches of New Zealand. Maturi Bay is a picturesque beach settlement north of the Bay of Islands. It is popular with surfers, divers and golfers alike, and is home to the luxurious Kauri Cliffs golf resort, with dramatic views of the Pacific Ocean. With crystal-clear water and golden sands, the bay is a popular surfing venue in an easterly swell. At other times it’s a peaceful beach for swimming and snorkelling. From the ridge above the bay, there are panoramic views over the headland and out to the Cavalli Islands.

Tauranga Bay lies immediately south of the entrance to Whangaroa Harbour. It is an exquisite kilometre-long stretch of north-facing pink sand, a favority swimming spot, with a large public reserve where visitors can admire an uninterrupted sea view out to uninhabited Stephenson’s Island and beyond. The estuary is an important breeding ground for Pateke (brown teal) http://www.nzbirds.com/birds/pateke.html. To the east of Tauranga Bay are the Arrow Rocks, (or Oruatemanu), the oldest known rocks in the North Island, and of special interest to geologists for their unique Triassic and Permian era fossilized plankton deposits dating from between 270 and 245 million years ago. A 25 million year long record of marine plankton deposition allows scientists to learn about the evolution of plankton. The chemical record locked in these fossilized plankton deposits may also help to uncover the mystery of what caused the mass extinctions in this era, thought to have been caused by an impact from a comet.
A small secluded cove called Butterfly Bay is named for the colony of sun-loving Monarch butterflies that annually congregates to over-winter and breed in the branches of the trees above the beach.

Doubtless Bay and Cooper’s beach are about 30 minutes up north from Whangaroa. The beach is a 2.5km long beach crescent-shaped beach stretches along Doubtless Bay. Pohutukawa trees line the beach, providing shade and a bit of colour when in bloom. Pohutukawa trees are also known as New Zealand Christmas trees because of their crimson red flowers that bloom around the holidays. The Taumarumaru Scenic Reserve is a couple of minutes west and many urban conveniences like shopping centers, medical buildings and children’s playgrounds are right next to the beach.

At the Cape Reinga, the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean in a spectacular swirl of currents. At the northernmost tip of the Cape is a gnarled pohutukawa tree, believed to be over 800 years old. According to Maori oral history, the spirits of deceased Maori leap from this tree into the ocean to return to their ancestral homeland of Hawaiki. While it’s not quite the most northern point of New Zealand (North Cape is further north, but it’s a scientific reserve and not open to the public), Cape Reinga is definitely the end of the road. From Kaitaia, the drive to Cape Reinga takes about 1.5 hours each way. Guided coach tours depart from Kaitaia and Paihia (Bay of Islands) daily. As well as taking you up to the Cape, these trips travel along popular 90 Mile Beach, bringing Maori and early European history to life on the way. 

For those short on time, scenic flights depart from the Bay of Islands, flying to the Cape and along both coasts of New Zealand. Being a sacred site, eating is not permitted at Cape Reinga. However if you’re looking for a good picnic spot, take the turn off to beautiful Tapotupotu Bay, 5km before the Cape.

On your way back, don’t forget to stop and smell the roses with the 90 miles beach. This spectacular beach stretches from all the way from just west of Kaitaia to Cape Reinga – a long ribbon of sand along the Aupouri Peninsula. The starting point is the headland of Reef Point and at the other end you will find Scott Point, five kilometres south of Cape Maria van Diemen. It’s known for spectacular sunsets and for having one of the best left-hand surf breaks in the world. The beach is officially a highway, but it’s only suitable for four wheel drive vehicles and when the tide is high it’s impossible to drive on.

If you haven’t caught your breath yet, we can go on, as there are probably at least hundred other exotic places in the region that I have skipped. But we can discuss them when you’re here, visiting our apartment hotel Madhuban…..