Bay of Islands

Within an easy 1 hour drive you can reach the Bay of Islands, the tourism centre of Northland, which is ideal for an activity-filled day trip.

Enjoy the crazy toilet stop in Kawakawa, it is designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser who once lived in the area. His boat “La Giudeca” is on display at the Railway Station Café.

Take the car ferry from Opua to Russell, the oldest town in the country. Drive up to Flagstaff Hill for a view of the Bay, stroll along the waterfront with old houses and cafés, visit the interesting and free i-SITE exhibition, the historic Pompallier Mission House, or drive to Long Beach behind Russell.

On the other side of the Bay is Waitangi (just north of Paihia), the birthplace of New Zealand as a nation, where Maori chiefs and Europeans signed the Treaty in 1840. Set in beautiful grounds overlooking the Bay you can see a fantastic carved Marae from inside, a historical homestead, an exhibition and the biggest war waka (canoe) under its carved shelter.

The real Bay of Islands needs to be seen from the water, and there are loads of activities on offer, from jetboats to the Hole in the Rock to swimming with dolphins to sailing cruises to parasailing. The following are the most popular cruises.

Swim with the Dolphins
If sea conditions are comfortable (at skippers' discretion) you can free-swim with them! Visit Motukokako Island. Hole in the Rock. Grand Cathedral Cave. Stopover on secluded Urupukapuka Island. Wetsuits and snorkel gear are supplied.

Hole in the Rock
Visit Motukokako Island and the famous Hole in the Rock. Grand Cathedral Cave. Stopover on Urupukapuka Island, hire a Kayak, pedal boat or snorkeling equipment.

Discover Best of the Bay
A long cruise through the whole Bay. Stopover on Urupukapuka Island, hire a Kayak, pedal boat or snorkeling equipment.

And if you still have time left, explore the Tutukaka Coast loop road on the way back.