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Bay of Islands Attractions, Activities and
Visitor Information
Tapeka
Del Mar Beachfront Vacation Rental
is the perfect base to explore the 140 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 the winterless North. Below are
some of the local Russell area, Bay of Islands and Northland attractions with many great day trip destinations, most no more
than an hours drive
Scroll down for photos of
the region's attractions and activities
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Waitangi Golf Course with views
to Tapeka Point top right
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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's 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 next to the massive 1830's
Norfolk pine trees |
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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 guest 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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Beach Walks -
explore the rock pools, walk around Tapeka Point or around the coast
to Russell at low tide exploring the secluded bays |
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Russell 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 Bay of Islands Golf Club - Kerikeri and 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. The
Okiato to Russell Walkway takes you from the vehicular/foot ferry
landing at Okiato to Orongo Bay on a well formed track which traverses
wetland flats, undulating areas of mature native bush and boardwalk at the
water's edge before joining the roadside.
 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 and serves
lunches during the summer months. Others include 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 historic Duke of Marlborough hotel,
The Wharf, Gables, the
Swordfish Club bistro, bars, cafes, ice cream parlour, bistros, fresh Fish & Chips, Pizza, Thai and more. Ten
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
mission house, other historic buildings and historic places. 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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Waitangi Treaty Grounds -
across the water from Tapeka and around the corner from Paihia are
the grounds, Treaty House, gardens and Waka (war canoe) |
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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 passes 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 and Dive HQ. Other charters are available to take out diving
parties. Dive tank refills next to the wharf.
Dive the
Canterbury Warship Diving Attraction - the last of NZ's steam powered Leander class frigates in Deep
Dater Cove.
 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 at Orongo Bay on the road from the car ferry.
Open to the public for purchase |
 Tennis - public 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 several times each day for an interesting
tour of the highlights and history 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
on board the boat (so you don't get your feet wet) |
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Marae - located on the waterfront next to the
town all |
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Special Events - Russell Birdman
Festival (July), Hell Hole of the Pacific celebration, Tall Ships Race Festival (January), Russell to Paihia ocean race,
Bay of Islands Jazz Festival, Cape Brett Challenge (April), Coastal Classic Yacht Race (October), Bay of Islands Food
and Wine festival (October), Bay of Islands Sailing Week (January), Russell
Oyster Festival and many
other festivals and special events are based in Russell. Check out
Links page to find out what is
happening when you plan to stay |
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Northland 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 with Waitangi around the corner. Visit Action World circus
park on the Haruru road. 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, The Parrot Place bird
display, shopping,
supermarkets, cafes, orchards, chocolate factory,
wine tasting, vineyard lunch |
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Steam Railway - Operates
from
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. Fullers and Dune rider offer coach
day trips from Paihia |
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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. Waterfalls, marina, 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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Matauri Bay,
Coopers Beach, Taupo Bay and Tauranga Bay are among the many small
beach resorts and townships further up the east coast |
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Twin Coast Cycle Trail
- Pou Herenga
Tai passes through some of New Zealand's earliest
European and Maori settlements and the Far North
District, which gave birth to the Treaty of Waitangi.
The trail’s construction has been divided into four
stages. The first section is 14km of the old rail
corridor between Kaikohe and Okaihau. In subsequent
stages the trail will then run for 34km from Kaikohe to
Kawakawa, 25km from Okaihau to Horeke and a further 11km
from Kawakawa to Opua. The route will include some
gentle climbs with wide paths which will allow cyclists
to travel side-by-side for most of the journey
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Kauri
Cliffs World Top 100 Golf Course 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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Mac Attack
Hole in the Rock trip |
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IPiripiri Overnight Luxury Island Cruise
BOOK NOW |
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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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Kawiti Glow Worm Caves - Kawakawa |
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Vintage steam railway operating from Kawakawa |
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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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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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Twin Coast Cycleway |
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Opua to Russell Walkway (click for lge map) |
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R Tucker
Thompson Tall Ship day sailing
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Sand Dune
Riding |
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Horse Riding
trails near Waitangi |
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Kingfisher
Yacht Charters day charters
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Russell
Birdman Festival held every July |
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2 in 1 Sky
Dive and Scuba Dive ! |
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Dive the
Canterbury at Deep
Water Cove |
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Action world
circus theme park Paihia |
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Parasailing from Paihia |
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Swimming with
Dolphins off Tapeka Beach |
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Wairere Boulder Valley - Hokianga |
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Eco walking tour to Deep Water Cove |
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Another
Marlin weigh in at the Russell wharf
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Sea Kayaking tours from Tapeka
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Salt Air scenic flight over Roberton Island |
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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
BOOK NOW |
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 and lunches with commanding
views |
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Historic Stone Store Kerikeri - next
to Kemp House, New Zealand's oldest building built by missionaries and
Maoris prior to the Treaty signing |
| Haruru Falls on the Paihia
Kerikeri road |
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Opua Marina with berths available for visiting
vessels
Excellent cafe, marine stores and services |
Just west of 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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Custom Search
Bay of Islands and Northland
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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. Attraction information is provided at the house and there is an
information centre and attraction booking offices in Russell
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"The Bay of Islands is one place you will
never get bored and a must include destination on your itinerary"
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