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Tapeka
Del Mar is the perfect base to explore the 100 plus Islands, all the water or
land based activities found in the Bay of Islands and the Northland
region of New Zealand. This is the
gateway to Northland and the perfect base to explore the many unique places and
activities to be found in this area. Below are
some of the local attractions and many great day trip destinations, most no more
than an hours drive
Scroll down for photos of
the region's attractions
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Waitangi Golf Course with views
to Tapeka Point top right Cape Reinga - the northern tip of New
Zealand
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Tapeka Beach Area Activities |
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 Tapeka Point Walk - starts behind
Tapeka Del Mar and just 15 minutes to the top
You will pass the Maori Pa
(fortress) site and to the top of Tapeka
Point and the amazing 360 degree views that await
of the Islands,
Tapeka,
Paihia and Waitangi.
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Hone Heke Flagstaff
- top of the hill between Tapeka and Russell. Great views and lots
of history. Continue the walk into Russell via the road or around
the shore line at low tide. The area is surrounded by a Kiwi habitat
where they can often be spotted at night |
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Volley Ball -
net in the public reserve opposite |
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Fishing - off
the beach, from a boat, on a charter or the famous surf casting rock accessed from Rocky Bay -
or take out the dinghy |
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Swimming - safe
all tide swimming sandy beach with a diving pontoon and boat ramp |
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Boating - take
out one of the three Kayaks or the dinghy available for guest use.
Take a trip or charter a boat |
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Nearby Attractions and Activities |
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 The Waitangi golf course across the water from Russell has one of
the most panoramic courses in the country and welcomes visiting players. 20
minutes further north is the Kerikeri Golf club and further north world top 100 Kauri Cliffs championship golf
course and retreat (refer below)
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Kayaking - Commercial operators
provide guided coastal tours in sea kayaks. One of the operators is based at
Tapeka beach - or take out one of the complimentary guest kayaks |
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Cruises
around the Bay of Islands and to the world famous "Hole in the Rock" by
slow or very fast boat, catamaran, yacht, or sailing ship (see below) All stop at the Russell wharf
to collect and drop off passengers |
Walking Tracks - a track from Tapeka leads through the bush to the
Flagstaff on Flagstaff Hill (where Hone Heke chopped down the flag pole) and back down to the sea shore next to Russell. This area is
frequented by Kiwi. Another winds through native forest to a secluded beach.
You can walk around the coast to Russell at low tide. Other excellent well sign posted heritage trails originate from Russell or simply climb the 15
min track behind the house to the top of Tapeka Point. For serious trampers there is a track out to
Cape Brett light house. The track starts at Oke Bay, Rawhiti or can be
joined at Deep Water Cove.
 Wineries
- Omata Estate is located nearby on the road from the Opua car ferry. The
wine shop provides tasting and purchase of Omata and other fine New Zealand
wines. It
has wonderful views down the vines and across the bay to Paihia.
Others including Marsden
Estate Winery and restaurant (lunch only), Ake Ake Vineyard and
restaurant, Stonybrook Estate and Cottle Hill Winery in Kerikeri. Bishops
Wood Estate just north of Kerikeri is a boutique distillery specialising in
Schnapps, liquors and spirits.
 Restaurants and Bars -
Russell has many including the old Duke of Marlborough hotel, the
swordfish club bistro, bars, cafes, ice cream parlour, bistros, fresh Fish & Chips
at "The Pub", Pizza, Thai and more. You can dine in or take out
freshly caught fish from The Pub. 10
minutes to Paihia on the passenger ferry and there are many more options within
an easy walk of the wharf.
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Historic Places
in Russell -
Russell Museum, NZ's
oldest Church, NZ's first police station, Pompallier
House and other historic buildings. Learn about the fascinating history from
the days of whalers and when Russell was the
first capital of New Zealand and known as the "hell hole of the pacific" |
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Pompallier House - a working
museum complete with tannery and
working printer. Stories of missionaries who produced Maori language
books during times of Pacific exploration and beautiful grounds.
Located on the south side of the Russell waterfront. |
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Historic Places Waitangi -
across the water from Tapeka and around the corner from Paihia.
Treaty of Waitangi grounds, treaty house, war canoe and beautiful grounds |
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Arts and Crafts
- Russell has pottery, gifts, antiques, art galleries, photo galleries and more |
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New Zealand Cycle way - One of
the first trails is a 90Km trail from the Hokianga harbour on the
west coast through to Opua and Russell. The trail will pass though
11 settlements and towns with the first 12km being an old rail
corridor between Kaikohe and Okaihau. This follows ancient Maori
trails, through two tunnels, past the western shore of lake Omapere
and is historically significant. |
 Tapeka is the
perfect base for surf casting, boat or big game fishing. A number of world
famous game fishing charter boats operate out of Russell as do part day group
trips. The Bay of Islands
Swordfish club is located on the
waterfront in Russell. See our Fishing page
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Yacht / Launch charters - bareboat or with skipper.
There are many day sailing options with the ability to share with other
tourists or exclusive charter. |
 Diving - including tuition and gear rental
available from Paihia Dive. Other charters are available to take out diving
parties. Dive tank refills next to the wharf.
Dive the
Canterbury - the last of NZ's steam powered Leander class frigates in Deep
Dater Cove as a diving attraction - sunk October 2007
 Dolphin Encounters - swim with the dolphins on
several cruise options departing Russell wharf. The Fullers booking office
is located next to the wharf and the booking office on the wharf have
helpful advise for all attractions, trips and
tours.
 Tall Ship Sailing - day cruises
on the classic sailing ship R. Tucker Thomson where you become part of the
crew
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Oyster Farm - located Orongo Bay on the road from the car ferry.
Open to the public for purchase |
 Public tennis courts are located near
Russell town centre
 Bowls - the local bowling club welcomes visitors
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Scenic Flights / Parachuting -
Salt Air operates from an airfield on the road from Paihia to Kerikeri |
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Coach Tours
- Russell Mini Tours depart from the wharf for an interesting
tour of the highlights of the Russell area. Others leave from Paihia to Kauri forests, Cape Reinga and
Ninety Mile Beach |
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Parasailing - operates from Paihia with launching from the boat |
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Chocolate Factory - located in Kerikeri |
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Day Trip Destinations
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Urapukapuka
Island / Cape Brett - and other day boat trips
including the famous "Cream Trip" and private charters departing Russell wharf |
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Paihia - by car ferry or passenger ferry from Russell. More shops and
attractions. See
Paihia |
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Waitangi - national reserve, Treaty
house, Maori meeting house, war canoe
and native grounds. Walking distance from Paihia |
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Haruru Falls - scenic water falls on the Kerikeri road out of Paihia |
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Kerikeri - historic stone store,
Kemp House, Pete's Pioneer transport museum, shopping,
supermarkets, cafes, orchards, chocolate factory,
wine tasting, vineyard lunch, supermarkets, shopping centre |
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Steam Railway - Operates to
Kawakawa near the famous restrooms during the summer months |
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Giant Kauri Trees in the Dargaville forest |
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Wairere Boulder Valley - Hokianga |
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Glow Worm Caves near Opua on SH1 south of Kawakawa |
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Horse Riding
- treks operate between Waitangi and Haruru Falls |
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Ninety Mile Beach and Cape Reinga
the northern tip of New Zealand |
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Fish and Chips - at the
famous shop in Monganui (but we prefer the fish shop next to "The
Pub" in Russell |
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East coast surf beaches - take
the Old Russell
Road to the east coast surf beaches south of Cape Brett |
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Whangarei - the largest city in Northland
45 minutes drive south of the car ferry. Great cafes and lots of larger
shops |
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Cape Brett Walk - a wonderful track (optional
ECO tour guided by Cape Brett Walkways) to the Bay of Islands entrance |
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Zion Wildlife Gardens Whangarei
- view the big cats, wildlife and take a personal or group tours. NZ's answer to
Australia Zoo |
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Kauri
Cliffs World Top 100 Golf Course was designed and built by David Harman of Golf Course
Consultants. The par 72 championship golf course measures
7,125 yards/6,412 meters and offers four sets of tees to challenge every skill level. Fifteen
holes view the Pacific Ocean, six of which are played alongside cliffs which plunge to the sea. The beautiful
inland holes wind through marsh, forest and farmland. The golf complex includes a world class
practice range, putting and chipping greens, a well stocked golf shop. Voted the best new golf course
in the world. 45 minutes drive from Tapeka Del Mar |
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Tall Ships Race - held every January departing Russell and
passing Tapeka Beach
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Fullers Excitor fast bay tour |
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Mac Attack Hole in the
Rock trip |
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| Swim with the
Dolphins |
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Whale Watching |
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Cruise to the
famous "Hole in the Rock" off Cape Brett at the entrance to the Bay of Islands
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| Kawakawa's world famous Hundertwasser public toilets
(restrooms) Amazing tile designs and not a straight wall to been found ! |
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Kawiti Glow Worm Caves - Kawakawa |
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Vintage steam railway operating from Kawakawa |
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| Historic Pompallier
Mission House Russell c 1842. The sole surviving
building of the French Catholic mission headquarters to the Western
Pacific. working museum, where
tanning, printing and book binding can be seen. |
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Cape Brett lighthouse
marking the southern entrance to the Bay of Islands since 1909.
The track Starts at Oke Bay or is 2.5 hours
from Deep Water Cove where it passes |
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Sail NZ Day Catamaran Day
Trips |
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Mile Beach and Cape Reinga by coach or "Dunerider" from Paihia |
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Ninety Mile
Beach |
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| Horse Riding
trails near Waitangi |
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Kingfisher
Yacht Charters day sailing |
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| Dive the
Canterbury at Deep
Water Cove |
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Diving
Charters from Dive HQ |
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2 in 1 Sky
Dive and Scuba Dive ! |
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| Parasailing from Paihia |
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Action world
circus park Paihia |
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Wairere Boulder Valley - Hokianga |
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Salt Air scenic flight over Roberton Island |
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Another
Marlin weigh in at the Russell wharf
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Sea Kayaking tours from Tapeka
Beach |
Eco walking tour to Deep Water Cove |
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Manginangina Boardwalk |
Hug a Kauri Tree near Dargaville |
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Waka (war canoe) in Waitangi Reserve near
Paihia
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Maori Meeting House at
the Waitangi Treaty grounds |
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Russell Mini Tours - informative local tour
taking in all the local highlights and local history including Tapeka and Long
Beach. Departs from Russell Wharf. An ideal way to get a quick
familiarisation of the area |
Makana Chocolate Factory - Kerikeri
Where you can sample the goods before you buy |
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Marsden Winery Kerikeri
- great weekend wine tasting and lunch
near the
Kerikeri turn off
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Omata
Estate vineyard near Russell
Wine
tasting with commanding
views down the vines and across to Paihia |
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Historic Stone Store Kerikeri - north of Paihia |
| Haruru Falls on the Paihia
Kerikeri road |
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Opua Marina with berths available for visiting
yachts.
Excellent cafe, marine stores and marine services |
Home of the Lion Man TV shows. Just west a Whangarei. Lions, Tigers,
Cats and many more animal species in their natural environment. This is
no zoo. Group and private tours |
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Tapeka Del Mar is the perfect base to explore
the northern tip of New Zealand. Cape Reinga, the west coast Kauri forests and
the city of Whangarei are all easy day trips from Tapeka
Links to the attractions listed above and
other local activities can be found on the Links
page. Attraction information is provided at the house and there is an
information centre and attraction booking offices in Russell
"This is one place you will
never get bored"
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