Kawakawa
Bay of Islands
Long
Russell Wharf © NorthlandNZ BELOW LEFT: Ōpua © Getty Images BELOW RIGHT: Fish and chips in Russell © David Kirkland
TOP TIP: Finish up at the Pompallier’s adjoining French Coffee House with a Victorian-style veranda that bursts out onto the lawn.
Beach Long Beach Over the brow from Russell, walk here in 20 minutes or drive in five. There’s a small, idyllic stretch of sand, a pop-up coffee cart and a scattering of esplanade car parks.
Kerikeri
Jim’s Walkway Local man Jim has been clearing and planting his own nature trail for decades. The public are welcome to traipse his route to Tapeka Point. A subtle sign indicating its existence can be spied just before you get to Long Beach.
Russell
Bee Hotels Jim, of Jim’s Walkway fame, is also the proprietor of a series of Bee Hotels. These transformed letterboxes now accommodate solitary bees that have shunned the usual beehive setup. Check them out on Jim’s Walkway.
TOP TIP: Been fishing? Caught a fish? Take it to Russell’s local takeaway, Crusty Crab, and they’ll deep-fry it for your dinner.
Waitangi
Russell Minibus Tour A whistle-
Paihia
stop, one-hour tour departing from the wharf. Zigzagging from streetto-street, up to Flagstaff Hill and over to Long Beach, discover every inch of Russell including Queen Liz’s favourite Aotearoa view and a hotel with a $15,000 per night price tag.
Christ Church This is New Zealand’s oldest surviving church, which is remarkable considering the mayhem it had to endure. The church’s walls still show bullet holes from Russell’s slew of historic altercations.
Ōpua
GETTING FROM RUSSELL TO PAIHIA Catch the 10-minute car ferry from Ōpua to Ōkiato, shortening the drive time between Paihia and Russell by 40 minutes. Ōpua’s lively marina is bustling with boaties and you can’t beat fresh fish and chips from The Old Store Takeaways.
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Pompallier Mission House During the 19th century this Catholic Mission printed various religious texts into Māori. Cradled in a blooming garden, a guided tour and heritage walk will reveal
Kawakawa
its most striking features, including the old process of printing and bookbinding.
Duke of Marlborough With the tag line ‘Refreshing Rascals and Reprobates since 1827’ how could you resist a stay, drink or meal at the iconic Duke of Marlborough Hotel? Fronting the esplanade with a regal interior and beautiful balustrade terrace overlooking the sea.
Flagstaff Hill Loop Walk This walk wends its way through native bush to the top of the hill, where you can see the famous flagstaff that was chopped down four times by Māori in opposition to British rule. Soak up the views and stroll over to the centennial sundial.
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