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Paihia's Must-Dos 2022-23
Paihia © Destination Northland
Hole in the Rock
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Cruise Sail by the Cape Brett Lighthouse and adjacent show stealer: Hole in the Rock, where your captain will navigate the vessel through a narrow grotto thrashed by the chop. Watch for seals and dolphins before landing on Urupukapuka Island for a 90-minute sojourn. Cruises depart both Paihia and Russell.
Haruru Falls
Just 5km west of Paihia, these falls cascade in a rare horseshoe shape. It’s a great place for a picnic and there’s an excellent walking track between the waterfall and the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.
Sullivans Beach
You need to scramble across the rocks at the southern end of Paihia Beach at low tide to reach this sheltered spot.
Sailing
Feel like part of the crew on these small group sailing expeditions, cruising around crystal lagoons, island hopping or settling in for a sundowner.
Boat Charters
Get a group together and explore the Bay of Islands by charter boat. From small and fun to large and luxurious, sneak into private bays and try a host of activities such as snorkeling and water-skiing straight off the stern.
Thunder Trike Tours
Let your hair down with a guided tour in a Kiwi-built V8 Chev Trike. Drive along the Paihia beachfront with your combined guide and driver. He’ll share the history of the area while winding past awesome scenery and places of interest.
Electric and Mountain Bike Hire
Whether you’re after mountain bikes, e-bikes or kids’ bikes, for one hour or several, pop into Paihia Mountain Bikes, located on Bayly Road.
Paihia Farmers’ Market
This all-weather farmers’ market kicks off at 12.30pm on Paihia’s village green every Thursday, selling fresh, regional produce.
Coastal Kayakers
Tours depart daily and suits all levels, but especially novices. Explore the Waitangi Inlet on a Waterfall Tour and cruise through the enchanting mangrove forest, meet the local wildlife and be astounded by Haruru Waterfall.
Flying Kiwi Parasail
Lift off on a solo, tandem or triple parasail flight. On a clear day you may even see marine mammals visiting the bay from your bird’s eye view.
Ferry to Russell
It’s not free but for $13 you can catch the 15-minute ferry to Russell. Observing picturesque islands en route is well worth the splurge.
Dolphin, Bay of Islands © Fraser Clements
Day-tripping in the Bay of Islands
ISLAND HOPPING CRUISES Whether you choose to go for a half-day, full-day, sundowner cruise or overnight sojourn, see the best of the bay with a fully staffed cruise. Explore islands and heritage, gather your own fresh seafood and spend hours in the water.
URUPUKAPUKA ISLAND The largest of the Bay’s islands, accessible by boat from Paihia Wharf or Russell. Pack for swimming, snorkelling, walks ranging from 20 minutes to two-and-a-half hours and take your wallet for the beach café. A short nap in a beach-fronting beanbag isn’t a bad idea either.
SNORKELLING Motuarohia Island’s twin lagoons are flush with sea life, including the odd stingray if you’re lucky. Excellent snorkelling is also found off Army Bay on Moturua Island.
DEEP WATER COVE SNORKELLING The Bay of Islands’ only no-fishing area is Maunganui Bay, also known as Deep Water Cove. Water clarity reaches 20m; an entire city of fish life exists in its boundary. Book a Bay of Islands snorkelling excursion departing Paihia or Russell.
ISLAND HOPPING BY KAYAK You can visit at least three islands on a one to three-day adventure. Hire a tandem kayak from Paihia and push off from Long Beach – it’s the closest mainland beach to the first island, Motuarohia Island.
GUIDED KAYAKING No need to go it alone. Join a Bay of Islands kayaking group for an afternoon of guided exploration to discover several outer motu, hidden caves and marine mammals.
CAMP ON URUPUKAPUKA ISLAND Six separate DOC walks will keep you busy for days and you can stay at one of three shorefront DOC campsites.
WATER TAXIS Take away the energy required to see the islands by kayak and what do you have? A water taxi. One of the easiest, quickest ways to hop from isle to isle.
THE CREAM TRIP In the 1920s a service was established to facilitate the islands’ dairy farms, to drop off supplies and pick up fresh farm cream. Sightseers started going along for the ride and the trip subsequently became a daily commercial tour.
R. TUCKER THOMPSON Experience the Bay of Islands the old-fashioned way with a cruise on the R. Tucker Thompson, a traditional gaffrigged schooner.
Bay of Islands Walks
ŌPUA FOREST: 30 MINUTES RETURN This easy, short walk reaches an elevated platform surrounded by kauri trees. The youngsters are just 25 years old, but their ancestors are aged over 400.
CAPE BRETT TRACK – 8 HOURS, ONE WAY Not for the faint hearted, this elevated 16km tramp may be on the hard side but thankfully there are plenty of heavenly bays to drop into. Allocating two days is advisable, with an overnight stop at the striking DOC hut.
KERIKERI RIVER TRAIL – 1.5HOURS An easy walking track with kids and a great diversion when visiting Kemp House. 3.5km one way, following the bend of the Kerikeri River.
BAY OF ISLANDS COASTAL WALKWAY – APPROX. 5.5 HOURS This full circle walk from Paihia to Russell includes two ferry crossings. There are various access points to start and finish your journey.
PUKETI FOREST WALKS – 10 MINUTES TO 5 HOURS The Puketi and Omahuta forests offer a diverse range of walking opportunities with many pathways suitable for children. Most tracks are classed as easy but for something with gusto, try the two-hour Pukatea Ridge Track or the two-day Waipapa River Track.
TE RUAPEKAPEKA PĀ – 30-MINUTE LOOP Five years after signing The Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, mounting discord between British colonial forces and northern Māori culminated in the battle of Ruapekapeka Pā. This looped route passes both the British position and the pā’s turrets and pits, dug by Māori to deflect British artillery.
MANGINANGINA KAURI WALK – 15 MINUTES RETURN Winding through giant kauri trees, swamp forest and vegetation, the boardwalk accommodates buggies and wheelchairs. Find it by ducking off SH 10 for a 15-minute detour, 20km west of Kerikeri.
URUPUKAPUKA ISLAND ARCHAEOLOGICAL WALK – 5 HOURS Follows the outer edge of the island passing various archaeological features. Behind Indico Bay a short walk leads to a dam and wildlife hide.
Cape Brett © Adobe Stock
TOP TIP: Perching dramatically beneath the Cape Brett lighthouse, the nearby DOC hut and campsite is $20pp a night and boasts one of the best views in New Zealand to wake up to.
