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Tapeka
Del Mar Luxury Beach House is the perfect base to explore all the water or
land based activities and attractions found in the Bay of Islands and Northland
region. 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 options 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 on the right Cape Reinga - the northern tip of New
Zealand
 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 world top 100 Kauri Cliffs championship golf
course and retreat (refer below)
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Kayaking - Tapeka Del Mar have Kayaks
and a dinghy for guest use. Commercial operators
also provide guided coastal tours in sea kayaks |
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Cruises through the Bay of Islands to the "Hole in the Rock" by
slow or very fast boat (see below) All stop at the Russell wharf |
 Walking Tracks - a track from Tapeka leads through the bush to the
Flagstaff 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.
Other excellent well sign posted heritage trails originate from Russell or simply climb the 15
min track behind the house past the
Maori Pa (fortress) site and to the top of Tapeka
Point and the amazing 360 degree views that await
 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
includes a fine restaurant with 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, bars, cafes, ice cream parlour, bistros, Fish & Chips, Pizza and more. 10
minutes to Paihia on the passenger ferry and there are many options within
easy waling distance of the wharf.
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Historic Places -
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 |
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Arts and Crafts
- Russell has pottery, gifts, antiques, art galleries, photo galleries and more |
 Tapeka is the
perfect base for surfcasting, boat or game fishing. A number of world famous game fishing charter
boats operate
out of Russell. The Bay of Islands game fishing club is located on the
waterfront in Russell. See our Fishing page
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Yacht / Launch charters - bareboat or with skipper |
 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
 Tall Ship Sailing - day cruises
on the R. Tucker Thomson
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Oyster Farm - located Orongo Bay on the road from the car ferry.
Open to the public |
 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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Paihia Duck -
amphibious journey that starts in Paihia, crosses the bay, explores Russell
and returns to Paihia via the car Ferry ramp at Opus |
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Day Trip Destinations many
have web site links on the links page
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Urapukapuka
Island / Cape Brett - and other day boat trips
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 |
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Haruru Falls - scenic water falls on the Kerikeri road out of Paihia |
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Kerikeri - historic stone store, shopping,
supermarkets, cafes, orchards, chocolate factory,
wine tasting, vineyard lunch |
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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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4 x 4 Safaris and Horse Riding
- quad bike tours operate from the Kawakawa to Opua road |
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Ninety Mile Beach and Cape Reinga |
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Fish and Chips - at the
famous shop in Manganui |
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East coast surf beaches - take
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) to the Bay of Islands entrance |
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Zion Wildlife Gardens Whangarei
- meet the Lion Man and take personal or group tours. NZ's answer to
Australia Zoo and a must see |
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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 |
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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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Paihia
Duck amphibious entering the water at the Russell boat ramp
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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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Mile Beach and Cape Reinga by coach or "Dunerider" from Paihia |
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Ninety Mile
Beach |
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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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| Dive the
Canterbury at Deep
Water Cove |
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Diving Charters
from Dive HQ
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Two in One - sky dive and
snorkel dive ! |
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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 Waitangi |
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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 and Restaurant near Tapeka
Just go wine
tasting or book a table at the first class restaurant 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 |
Meet Craig Busche from the Lion Man TV shows and tour
the expansive wildlife gardens. Just west a Whangarei. Lions, Tigers,
Cats and many more animal species in their natural environment. This is
no zoo |
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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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