Bay of Islands
Kerikeri
Kerikeri Falls © Getty Images BELOW: Stone Store, Kerikeri © NorthlandNZ
& DRINK
Plough and Feather, Kerikeri Sit on the veranda and gaze across the Waipekakoura River to the Stone Store. The gastropubstyle menu mixes Kiwi flavours with a British twist; that translates to mushy peas with your fish and chips.
Russell
Oso café, Russell Set a few streets back from the waterfront, this funky establishment offers curb-side seat appeal and a fabulously retro décor that wouldn’t look amiss in a 70s Bond film.
Waitangi
Hone’s Garden, Russell Instagrammers won’t miss a trick when it comes to grabbing a selfie beside the wall of plants, while the wood-fired pizzas attract those with hunger pangs.
The Old Packhouse Market Kerikeri’s seemingly perennial warm weather lends itself to a bounty of fruit, macadamia nuts and veggies. Buy them fresh and in season at the Old Packhouse Market, every Saturday and Sunday from 8am.
Makana Confections Chocolate Visit the Makana boutique chocolate factory to sample the works of master chocolatiers. Open daily from 9am to 5.30pm.
Kerikeri Mission Station Established in 1819, the Kerikeri Mission Station was one of the first places where Māori and Europeans lived together. It’s also home to the Stone Store and Kemp House.
Stone Store The Georgian-style Stone Store has worn many hats since its 1832 construction. It has acted as a local trading post for selling and buying, a library, army barracks, boys’ school and general store. Downstairs you can still buy goods reminiscent of those bought in the 19th century, while upstairs there’s a museum. Mission House (also known as Kemp House) Shoes off for this one. Built in 1821, a guided tour of New
See Map Section - pages 58 to 61
Paihia
Zealand’s oldest surviving building involves traipsing from room to room, and you don’t want to be the one that damages the original floorboards.
The Parrot Place Home to
Kororipo Heritage Park Wander through the country’s oldest European buildings at Kerikeri’s Kororipo Heritage Park, a place where Māori and Europeans once lived side by side.
Aroha Island Access to Aroha Island is via a causeway 11km from Kerikeri town centre. If you decide to stay over at this 12ha bird sanctuary, the kiwi-spotting night walk is excellent.
Te Ahurea A living village and interactive pā site nestled between Kororipo Pā, the Kerikeri Stone Store and Mission House. Representing life before Europeans arrived, visitors can take a self-guided tour and enter the Discoverers Garden to admire a diverse collection of Northlandspecific plants.
Charlie’s Rock There’s nothing
Ōpua
Kawakawa Pou Herenga Tai Twin Coast Cycle Trail If you’re hungry to explore both New Zealand’s rolling green terrain and the stories of Māori settlement and European arrival, this 87km, two-day bike ride feeds both.
FOOD
300 exotic birds including a dancing macaw, some of which are prone to perching on visitors’ arms, hands and shoulders.
more refreshing than jumping off the embankments at Charlie’s Rock swimming spot, accessed via a five-minute walking track from Waipapa Landing.
Wharepuke Falls Walk 3.5km along the Kerikeri River Track, following the riverbank until you reach Wharepuke Falls and its peaceful swimming hole. Dry off and move on to Fairy Pools, just 10 minutes further and just as pic-perfect.
Sage Restaurant at Paroa Bay Winery, Russell Perched on hillside, with far-flung ocean views and streams of manicured vines, local produce shines here. Charlotte’s Kitchen, Paihia Floor-to-ceiling windows soak up seascape views while the water laps at planks beneath your feet and shared plates and wood-fired pizzas fly out of the kitchen.
RIGHT: Sage Restaurant, Paroa Bay Winery © DWB
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