Bay of Islands, New Zealand

More about Bay of Islands, New Zealand Points of Interest

• Waitangi Treaty Grounds

  It was here in 1840 that the Treaty of Waitangi was first signed between Maori and the British Crown. This historic site offers a commanding view of history and the Bay of Islands.

• Harbour, Islands & Hole in the Rock

  Motu Kōkako, also known as Piercy Island or "The Hole In The Rock", is located off the north coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is at the very northern tip of Rakaumangamanga (Cape Brett) in the Bay of Islands. The 60-foot (18 m) hole at sea level was created over centuries by wind and waves making it one of the most naturally beautiful sites in New Zealand. Being a popular tourist destination there are a multitude of tours offered and if the waters are calm and the tide is right the jet boats will go right through the hole.

• Kerikeri & Surrounds

  Today Kerikeri is a major citrus fruit center and tourist destination. The town also boasts the historic Mission house (1819), Stone Store (1833), and is noted for its thriving art and craft scene.

• Russell

  Russell, known as Kororareka[a] in the early 19th century, was the first permanent European settlement and seaport in New Zealand. It is situated in the Bay of Islands, in the far north of the North Island. New Zealand census recorded a resident population of 720, Much of the accommodation in the area consists of holiday homes or tourist accommodation.

• Cultural Experience

  Learn about the history, traditions and contemporary lives of the indigenous Maori people who inhabit the Bay of Islands. Experiences include Marae life and travelling by waka canoe which are brought to life by descendants of the original families.

• Glow-worm Caves

  The family owned Kawiti Cave tours were first established in the 1950's by Te Tawai Kawiti, Great grandson of the famous Maori Chief, Kawiti. The limestone cave system is home to thousands of glow worms spread across the ceiling surrounded by breath taking stalactites and stalagmites.

• Paihia and Surrounds

  Paihia is the main tourist town in the Bay of Islands in the far north of the North Island of New Zealand. It is 60 kilometres north of Whangarei, located close to the historic towns of Russell and Kerikeri. Missionary Henry Williams named the mission station Marsden's Vale and eventually the Paihia became the accepted name of the settlement. Nearby to the north is the historic settlement of Waitangi, and the residential and commercial area of Haruru Falls is to the west. The port and township of Opua, and the small settlement of Te Haumi, lie to the south. The population of Paihia is 1719

• Haruru Falls

  Haruru Falls is a small but wide waterfall. It's where the Waitangi River is at its strongest, feeding into a significant lagoon that ebbs its way out to the Bay of Islands beside Te Tii Marae and the Waitangi Treaty grounds. A small town with accommodation options is built around it.
  The falls are about 5km from the town of Paihia, and worth a trip to see. You can take a car and walk two minutes down a track to the Falls, passing a rope-swing installed bravely on a tree hanging off the cliff into the lagoon below.