Places of Interest - The Bay of Islands and Northland is full of New Zealand history and wonderful scenery. Explore tracks in giant Kauri tree forests; find hidden secluded bays - You have access to all sorts of adventure and leisure activities right at your fingertips.

Perhaps you would enjoy paddling up the Waitangi River to the Haruru Falls in a maori waka (canoe); for others parasailing above or jet-skiing amongst the islands. Golf is easily arranged at one of the many nearby courses all within five minutes to an hours drive.

The Bay of Islands has something for everyone, whether you are an outdoor enthusiast or you prefer to kick back and relax, our friendly team at the Pioneer Waterfront Apartments are more than happy to help you plan and book activities and tours in the area at no extra cost.

Cape Reinga, Ninety Mile Beach and the ancient kauri Forests

Take a day and coach tour north to Cape Reinga and and cruise back down 90 mile beach on the Far North’s West Coast. Visit the Kaipara Harbour and the Waipoua Forest, home to the largest known living Kauri tree, ‘Tane Mahuta’. Visit craft shops where Kauri buried in swamps over 20,000 years ago has been recovered and artists then carve the deep gold timber into beautiful pieces of art and functional items for around the home.Visit a kauri gum digger’s camp that has been faithfully restored around old gum digger’s workings. Here you can see how early settlers in the 1800’s etched out a living by recovering the hardened amber sap buried in the ground where ancient Kauri Forests once stood. For those short of time, there daily scenic flights – 4x4 tour – fly back in time for lunch or dinner, with pick up and drop off at your accommodation.

Maori Culture at Taiokerau

For those interested in the Maori culture, Taiokerau, Northland is the home of the Ngapuhi people and a perfect place to learn more about their society and culture, historic and present.

Cape Brett - Hole in the Rock

Visit the famous Hole in the Rock at Cape Brett, the entrance to the Bay of Islands. You can rent and drive your own jet-ski, go in a speed boat out to the Cape and back in one and a half hours, or take a more leisurely cruise or sail with options of dolphin watching or swimming or an island stop or both. View some of the multi-million dollar properties on islands or hidden in secluded bays. On the way back, get dropped off in Russell in time for lunch then explore the village and its history as the one time Hell Hole of the Pacific. Walk or take a taxi up to the top of Flagstaff Hill and admire the 360 degree views before returning to Russell in time to catch a short ferry ride back to Paihia.

The Bay of islands - Tall Ship Sailing round the islands

One might enjoy a leisurely sail on a replica tall ship out into the Bay of Islands. The R Tucker-Thompson is a faithfully reconstructed replica of the style of ships that early European Settlers to New Zealand sailed on to reach the antipodes.

Golf

For golfers there are more than 10 courses located anywhere from 5 minutes drive to just over an hour from Paihia. There are lovely small country courses servicing the local community and more than willing to welcome green fee players at very, very reasonable rates, through to championship rated courses such as Kauri Cliffs and Carrington which are groomed to perfection and challenge even the lowest of low handicappers. Close to Paihia is the Waitangi Golf Club which offers a combination of stunning views over the Bay of Islands and beautiful parklands on the inland side teeming with native flora and fauna.

Paihia

One of the early settlements in the Bay of Islands, it is the gateway to the Bay. The tours and fishing charters out onto the Bay of Islands all leave from Paihia Wharf. There are many historical sites within easy walking distance of the town centre where you will find excellent restaurants and most types of shops needed to cater for a small community.

Waitangi

The Birthplace of the Nation where the founding document of New Zealand, the Treaty of Waitangi Tiriti o Waitangi was fist signed in on February 6 1840. This document formed the relationship between the British Crown and Tangatawhenua which means people of the land. The Waitangi meeting was the first signing ceremony of many as the document was taken around the country to gatherings of Maori Chiefs or Rangitira over the following months. The Treaty Grounds are beautifully presented and a wonderful place to visit to learn more about New Zealand, its history and its inhabitants.

Russell

Russell is a beautiful small village nestled on Kororareka Bay which has had its waterfront buildings preserved as they were at the turn of last century. Kororareka was known as the ‘Hell Hole of the Pacific’ in its early days as it became a haven for Whalers, Sealers, escaped convicts and ship jumpers. As time went on Russell became a lot more refined with many referring to Russell as the first Capital of New Zealand prior to it being officially moved to Auckland and then to its present location in Wellington.

Flagstaff Hill situated a half hour walk above Russell is a must visit for anyone visiting the Bay of Islands as it offers 360 degree views over the bay to Paihia and Waitangi, along to the Kerikeri inlet and out over the many islands or motu that are scattered throughout the Bay of Islands, some inhabited some not. Flagstaff Hill has a history.

Kerikeri

Home to the Stone Store, New Zealand’s oldest stone building, Kerikeri is re-knowned for its orchards of citrus and kiwi fruits. While Kerikeri is the main shopping/service town in the region is has many arts and crafts shops and is developing a reputation for some wonderful wines including wine produced on totally organic vineyard properties.

For those who like to indulge in chocolate and fudge there are two hand crafted outlets right on the main road into Kerikeri, ‘Makana’ where you can watch the chocolate makers in action and ‘Get Fudged’ in the same building as ‘Keri Blue Ceramics’.

We invite you to ask your hosts for guidance and direction depending on your interests to make your time in the Bay of Islands everything you wish it could be.