5 minute read
ROAD TRIP: A journey to the Bay of Islands
Whangārei to Hikurangi via SH 1 - 23min, 23.7km
Side Trip: Whangārei to Tutukākā loop towards the coast to Tutukākā, then Matapōuri, then to the main route at Hikurangi - 1hr 13min, 62.7km
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Hikurangi to Kawakawa Inland via Hukerenui and Kawiti Glow Worm Caves in Waiomio - 30min, 38.6km
Side Trip: Kawakawa to Russell via Waikare Rd, Russell Forest and Waikare Inlet 53min, 40.5km or by ferry via Ōpua - 47min, 21.7km
Kawakawa to Paihia via the port of Ōpua - 20min, 16.8km
Roberton Island, Bay of Islands
Northland Tourism
HIGHLIGHTS
WHANGĀREI FALLS - Just off SH 1 and only 5km from the city centre of Whangārei is this cascading gem that has a reputation for being the most photographed waterfall in New Zealand.
Whangārei Falls
Aaron Radford
ADVENTURE FOREST, GLENBERVIE - Drive another couple of minutes up the road and you’ll find 12 tree-top challenge courses packed with thrills, fun and action.
KAWITI GLOW WORM CAVES - Just before Kawakawa, follow the signposts to take a guided tour of the glowworm and limestone caves.
HUNDERTWASSER TOILET BLOCK - Discover why these WCs are world famous in Kawakawa. Also, if you’re passing through here on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, check out the vintage train that runs down the middle of the main street.
ŌPUA - Keen sailors can charter a yacht, take a cruise or simply watch boats arriving from all over the South Pacific.
BAY OF ISLANDS - Marvel at pods of dolphins, migratory orca, seals and blue penguins. Experience the Bay of Islands the old-fashioned way with a cruise on the R. TUCKER THOMPSON, a traditional gaff-rigged schooner.
Enjoy a journey through some of New Zealand’s earliest settlements on the two-day TWIN COAST CYCLE TRAIL – POU HERENGA TAI. This trail connects Ōpua in the Bay of Islands and Hōreke in the Hokianga.
WAITANGI TREATY GROUNDS AND MUSEUM OF WAITANGI - Explore the stories and events that shaped our nation. Te Rau Aroha is the treaty’s latest addition and uses immersive exhibits to tell the lesser-known stories of Māori in New Zealand’s armed forces.
HARURU FALLS - Only 5km west of Paihia, these falls are small, wide and powerful. Park up and walk down within two minutes. If you’re feeling adventurous, hire a kayak from Paihia or take the 90-minute pathway from the Treaty Grounds via spectacular mangrove forest .
RUSSELL - One of the country’s oldest European settlements. See Aotearoa’s oldest church, Christ Church, built in 1836 and visit Pompallier Mission, constructed in 1842 to print Māori language books.
SIDE TRIP to TUTUKĀKĀ COAST
Diving Poor Knights
Destination Northland
FROM WHANGĀREI 29KM, 30MIN - Take a circular route along the beautiful Tutukākā Coast from Whangārei or Hikurangi and feel the lure of turquoise ocean. Highlights include:
MATAPŌURI BAY - An irresistible expanse of whites and greets you here. Dip your toes in, or join the locals in a flying leap off the bridge at high tide.
WHALE BAY - Come here for seclusion because this bay is only accessible on foot from a coast track at the northern end of Matapōuri Bay.
SANDY BAY - This is one of the best surf spots on Northland’s east coast and the final beach before the road turns inland, back to join SH 1 at Hikurangi.
WHANANAKI has many more magnificent beaches and is well worth a detour. While here, explore WHANANAKI COASTAL WALKWAY – take a walk with spectacular ocean views and admire the longest footbridge in the southern hemisphere.
WARO RESERVE - This curious boulder-strewn place has a limestone quarry swimming hole.
Charter a fishing boat at TUTUKĀKĀ MARINA.
Take a boat cruise 23km out to the world-renowned marine reserve, the POOR KNIGHTS ISLANDS, to snorkel, dive or kayak with the experts. These islands are an international icon; that they are accessible,thanks to dive charter operators, is a genuine gift to visitors. This definitely rates as a must-do!
PAIHIA
SEE THE BAY FROM THE WATER -Board a historical sailing vessel, a fishing charter or dolphin-watch boat. Cruise to the Hole in the Rock at Piercy Island and marvel as your skipper manoeuvres the vessel through a tiny gap.
ISLAND HOPPING - The Bay of Islands has 114 motu, the largest being Urupukapuka Island,accessible via ferry from Paihia or Russell. Take the water taxi to Roberton Island/Motuarohia Island for two unspoilt lagoons or Moturua Island for beautiful bays.
WAITANGI TREATY GROUNDS - Marks the site where New Zealand’s founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi, was first signed in 1840.
Russell waterfront
Getty Images
SIDE TRIP to RUSSELL
THE LONGER WAY to Russell is from Kawakawa through the Russell Forest and around the Waikare Inlet. It’s a picturesque but narrow, winding route.
ALTERNATIVELY drive from Kawakawa to Ōpua (11.5km) and take the 22-minute Ōkiato car ferry ride across the harbour. From there, it’s a 10-minute drive to Russell.
A REGULAR PASSENGER FERRY SERVICE FROM PAIHIA WILL ALSO DELIVER YOU TO RUSSELL. It’s worth the effort. Russell is a romantic, beautifully located historic town with lovely accommodation and exceptional restaurants and cafés. You can spend time here just wandering the streets, exploring the galleries and boutique shops and admiring historic houses and churches.
THE WHARF - The passenger ferry from Paihia is based here so it’s always buzzing with activity, as is the beachfront, where sitting in the sunshine eating ice cream and watching the swimmers and boaties makes for an idyllic afternoon.
Take a swim at the safe little beach, among the moored boats. Or spend time fishing; this is a holiday town.
Make sure you check out POMPALLIER HOUSE – the only surviving pioneer printer and tannery in New Zealand.It’s a fascinating, well-presented story.
Enjoy a lunch or an evening meal at the historic DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH.
Take the FLAGSTAFF HILL LOOP WALK 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 360-degree views of the Bay of Islands and stroll over to the centennial sundial.
Omata Estate Vineyard, Bay of Islands
David Kirkland
