Parks & Nature
Cycle/walkway goes approximately 87km from Opua on East coast to Horeke on West. Cafes at Opua, Kawakawa, Kaikohe, Okaihau, and a pub at Horeke. Free.
9 locals recommend
Twin Coast Cycleway
Cycle/walkway goes approximately 87km from Opua on East coast to Horeke on West. Cafes at Opua, Kawakawa, Kaikohe, Okaihau, and a pub at Horeke. Free.
Walk to Waitangi from Haruru Falls, including following costal river, bush walking, board walk. Free.
21 locals recommend
Haruru Falls
80 Haruru Falls RdWalk to Waitangi from Haruru Falls, including following costal river, bush walking, board walk. Free.
Walk to waterfall following river track, via very small early power station. Free.
52 locals recommend
Rainbow Falls (Waianiwaniwa)
Walk to waterfall following river track, via very small early power station. Free.
Walking trail around amazing geology. https://wairereboulders.co.nz/the-boulders/
Kayak hire available.
11 locals recommend
Wairere Boulders
70 McDonnell RdWalking trail around amazing geology. https://wairereboulders.co.nz/the-boulders/
Kayak hire available.
Selection of hiking trails, including a short board walk around ancient kauri. Free.
30 locals recommend
Puketi Forest
Selection of hiking trails, including a short board walk around ancient kauri. Free.
The Kawiti Caves are home to thousands of luminous glow worms, breath taking rock formations and lush green rainforest. Stalactites and stalagmites.
http://www.kawiticaves.co.nz/
14 locals recommend
Kawiti Glow Worm Caves
49 Waiomio RdThe Kawiti Caves are home to thousands of luminous glow worms, breath taking rock formations and lush green rainforest. Stalactites and stalagmites.
http://www.kawiticaves.co.nz/
Thermal pools to sit and relax in. https://www.tripadvisor.co.nz/Attraction_Review-g580535-d8262607-Reviews-Waiariki_Pools_Ngawha_Springs_Hot_Pool-Kaikohe_Bay_of_Islands_Northland_Region_No.html
21 locals recommend
Ngawha Springs
Thermal pools to sit and relax in. https://www.tripadvisor.co.nz/Attraction_Review-g580535-d8262607-Reviews-Waiariki_Pools_Ngawha_Springs_Hot_Pool-Kaikohe_Bay_of_Islands_Northland_Region_No.html
NZ's longest known living kauri tree. http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/northland/places/waipoua-forest/things-to-do/tane-mahuta-walk/
26 locals recommend
Tāne Mahuta
NZ's longest known living kauri tree. http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/northland/places/waipoua-forest/things-to-do/tane-mahuta-walk/
One crew member died when French secret agents mined the Greenpeace vessel Rainbow Warrior in Waitematā Harbour, Auckland.
The Rainbow Warrior had taken part in protests against French nuclear testing in the Pacific.
Take a short hill hike to the memorial, stunning views.
https://nzhistory.govt.nz/rainbow-warrior-sunk-in-auckland
Rainbow Warrior Memorial
1727 Matauri Bay Rd
One crew member died when French secret agents mined the Greenpeace vessel Rainbow Warrior in Waitematā Harbour, Auckland.
The Rainbow Warrior had taken part in protests against French nuclear testing in the Pacific.
Take a short hill hike to the memorial, stunning views.
https://nzhistory.govt.nz/rainbow-warrior-sunk-in-auckland
Hike up St Pauls hill for wide sweeping views overlooking Whangaroa harbour. Free. http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/northland/places/whangaroa-area/things-to-do/st-pauls-rock-track/
St pauls scenic reserve
43 Old Hospital RoadHike up St Pauls hill for wide sweeping views overlooking Whangaroa harbour. Free. http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/northland/places/whangaroa-area/things-to-do/st-pauls-rock-track/
Arts & Culture
Plus shopping. Oldest stone store in NZ (1836). Beside Kerikeri mission station (oldest surviving wooden house in NZ).
62 locals recommend
The Stone Store
246 Kerikeri RdPlus shopping. Oldest stone store in NZ (1836). Beside Kerikeri mission station (oldest surviving wooden house in NZ).
Working museum - hide tanning, book binding. Cafe on site. http://www.heritage.org.nz/places/places-to-visit/northland-region/pompallier
31 locals recommend
Pompallier Mission
5 The StrandWorking museum - hide tanning, book binding. Cafe on site. http://www.heritage.org.nz/places/places-to-visit/northland-region/pompallier
Second oldest house still standing- 1831. Extensive grounds. Lovely church next door - 1871. Oldest English oak in NZ. http://www.heritage.org.nz/places/places-to-visit/northland-region/kerikeri-mission-station
Te Waimate Mission House
344 Te Ahu Ahu RdSecond oldest house still standing- 1831. Extensive grounds. Lovely church next door - 1871. Oldest English oak in NZ. http://www.heritage.org.nz/places/places-to-visit/northland-region/kerikeri-mission-station
Home with lovely collection, stunning views, cafe along the road. Clendon House is the fascinating home of Captain James Reddy Clendon, ship owner and trader. Captain Clendon was in the thick of the earliest Maori and Pakeha interaction and was a witness to the Treaty of Waitangi. http://www.heritage.org.nz/places/places-to-visit/northland-region/clendon-house
Clendon House
14 Parnell StreetHome with lovely collection, stunning views, cafe along the road. Clendon House is the fascinating home of Captain James Reddy Clendon, ship owner and trader. Captain Clendon was in the thick of the earliest Maori and Pakeha interaction and was a witness to the Treaty of Waitangi. http://www.heritage.org.nz/places/places-to-visit/northland-region/clendon-house
Māngungu was established on the shore of the spectacular Hokianga Harbour in 1828 as a Wesleyan Mission station. It was built in 1838-1839 for the Reverend Nathaniel Turner. Stunning harbour views. Local pub might be open. http://www.heritage.org.nz/places/places-to-visit/northland-region/mangungu-mission
Mangungu Mission House
107 Motukiore RdMāngungu was established on the shore of the spectacular Hokianga Harbour in 1828 as a Wesleyan Mission station. It was built in 1838-1839 for the Reverend Nathaniel Turner. Stunning harbour views. Local pub might be open. http://www.heritage.org.nz/places/places-to-visit/northland-region/mangungu-mission
A village of 11 historic buildings dating from 1862 Whare Runanga Commission, railway train, steam engines, Fire engines, and Maori Taonga in collection.
http://pioneervillage.org.nz/
Pioneer Village Kaikohe
1A Recreation RdA village of 11 historic buildings dating from 1862 Whare Runanga Commission, railway train, steam engines, Fire engines, and Maori Taonga in collection.
http://pioneervillage.org.nz/
Shopping
Small shopping centre with wide variety of shops. Lots of cafes. Supermarket.
32 locals recommend
Paihia
Small shopping centre with wide variety of shops. Lots of cafes. Supermarket.
Weekend markets. Chocolate factory. Woodwork. Specialty shops and general shopping. Supermarkets.
34 locals recommend
Kerikeri
Weekend markets. Chocolate factory. Woodwork. Specialty shops and general shopping. Supermarkets.
Getting Around
Airport! Recently rebuilt rooms, lovely cafe, nice views from upstairs.
12 locals recommend
Bay of Islands Airport
218 Wiroa RdAirport! Recently rebuilt rooms, lovely cafe, nice views from upstairs.
Everything Else
One of the main attractions at Kawakawa., toilets designed by Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser. https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/7817/kawakawa-public-toilets
9 locals recommend
Kawakawa Public Toilets by Hundertwasser
62 Gillies StreetOne of the main attractions at Kawakawa., toilets designed by Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser. https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/7817/kawakawa-public-toilets
Sightseeing
Short train trips. Lovely train station cafe. http://www.bayofislandsvintagerailway.org.nz/
8 locals recommend
Bay Of Islands Vintage Railway
102 Gillies StShort train trips. Lovely train station cafe. http://www.bayofislandsvintagerailway.org.nz/
Site of 1st capital of NZ. Take a passenger ferry from Paihia, or car ferry from Opua. Lovely township, cafes. Walk to the top of Tapeka hill for stunning views over Bay of Islands and Waitangi. http://russellnz.co.nz/
74 locals recommend
Russell
Site of 1st capital of NZ. Take a passenger ferry from Paihia, or car ferry from Opua. Lovely township, cafes. Walk to the top of Tapeka hill for stunning views over Bay of Islands and Waitangi. http://russellnz.co.nz/
Entertainment & Activities
Skydive Bay of Islands
182 Wiroa RdExtreme fun. http://skydivebayofislands.com/