What can you do while you are here?
The Bay of Islands, Northland, New Zealand has just about everything to make your holiday really special.
Northland is New Zealand’s birth place: first Government, first school, first church, first road and first buildings dating from 1822. The beautiful Bay of Islands is in the very centre of Northland. Here you will find Romantic Russell, historic Kerikeri and lively Paihia.
Visit the following homepages for more information on the area:
Northland’s http://northland.co.nz/Northland.cfm
Kerikeri’s http://kerikeri.co.nz/OurTown.cfm
Bay Of Island’s http://bayofislands.co.nz/
The Bay of Island's Farmers Market - every Sunday 8.30 am - 12.30 pm in the Kerikeri township car park (outside the Post Office, Cobham Road). A chance to try and buy local produce from vegetables, herbs, olive oil, wine, port, avocados, mussel fritters, tuna, blueberry fritters (when in season of course!). All fresh and some is organic. We try to visit every Sunday to buy our weekly shopping of vegetables, and locally produced goods eg tea, coffee for the Lodge. We can highly recommend it as a place worth a visit. Across the road is the craft market with locally made products too.
Kerikeri Half Marathon and Street Party is held every November - come and stay at Ipipiri Lodge and have good care taken of you during this weekend.
Attractions from our visits around Northland
Bay of Islands
Secluded pohutukawa fringed bays, cosmopolitan marinas and anchorages with full chandlery, lively cafes and bars fill the coastal run from Auckland to Northland. For New Zealand boaties, the whole region is a boating and fishing mecca with areas like the Bay of Islands holding iconic status.
Each year from late December until June, Marlin and other billfish swarm here in their thousands. Yellowfin are taken from December to March, sharks from November to May and yellowtail kingfish all year round. The number of fish and different species are internationally renowned.
And beneath the waters lie many other attractions. Some of the world’s top and most easily accessed dive and snorkeling sites exist in Northland. Spectacular reefs, walls, pinnacles, archways and tunnels provide a unique marine habitat not seen anywhere else in the world. Magnificent mixtures of subtropical and temperate marine species inhabit the local reefs, with great wreck dives on sunken warships and the Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior. The warm waters of Northland make this New Zealand’s natural playground
For more information on the Bay of Islands such as activities, accommodation, entertainment and dining out visit: www.northlandnz.com and view their interactive map of Northland, from Auckland to Cape Reinga.
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| A Tui in the Karaka tree |
Kerikeri
Kerikeri overflows with orchards and galleries, fruit and art. All along the roadside, orchards sell their delicious oranges, kiwi fruit and avocados. Follow the art and craft trail and you'll get to know some of the artisans. Visit the wineries, lunch in one of the many outdoor cafés, indulge in delicious handmade chocolates or locally made macadamia liqueur. Kerikeri also has excellent sporting facilities including golf, all-weather tennis and yachting.
Expect a good choice of cafés and restaurants our favourites being an Indian ‘Curry King’ or a stone grill ‘Rock Salt’ both within easy distance of Ipipiri Lodge.
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Kerikeri was home ground for the fearsome Hongi Hika, a Maori chief who terrorised many tribes throughout the North Island in the early 1800s. Yet he was kind to missionaries allowing Samuel Marsden to establish New Zealand's second mission station.
The Stone Store was built in 1832-36 as a storehouse for the mission. After the mission's closure in 1848 it was taken over by the Kemp family and leased by a succession of storekeepers and then traded in kauri gum from the 1850's but the peak years for the gum trade were the 1890's and early 1900's.
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| Stone Store | ||
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| Kemp House and gardens | ||
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| New Zealand’s oldest fruit tree (pear) in New Zealand at the Landing, Kerikeri |
A short drive out of Kerikeri is the Rainbow Falls – a magnificent waterfall so close to town, but far enough to think you are in the wild. You can stroll along the river bank for 10 mins to the spectacular Rainbow Falls, where the water tumbles into a pool surrounded by native bush. You may hear tui call, and see fantails flitting about while you walk. The path leads to viewing platforms which give you some fantastic views across and down the river.
They did try to generate power here in the early 1950’s even though was successful it was not viable from a business point of view.
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Rainbow Falls, Kerikeri |
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Paihia - Jewel of the Bay of Islands
With shimmering safe waters and superb beaches Paihia is a good place to be based for your Bay of Islands water activities. Paihia is the place of friendly locals, happy cafés and people enjoying life. Whether it is swimming with delightful dolphins, taking in a spot of retail therapy or just lazing under a tree, Paihia is the place for it. Visit www.paihia.co.nz for more info.
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Waitangi Treaty Grounds - Birthplace of New Zealand
Just a short drive from Kerikeri is Waitangi Treaty Grounds, truly one of New Zealand's most historic sites, being the place where both Maori and European joined in signing the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. The Treaty House is located amongst a vast peaceful estate which includes a fully carved Maori Meeting House, one of the largest Maori War Canoes and a Visitor Centre and Gallery. The estate is a must see for any visitor interested in New Zealand's history and culture. Visit www.waitangi.net.nz for more info.
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Puketi Forest
The Puketi Forest is an ancient kauri forest located in the heart of Northland and is one of New Zealand’s most precious habitats. The Puketi Forest Trust is working to restore this magnificent kauri forest to its original biodiversity. The road will take you to the top of the ridge where Manginangina scenic reserve is located. Here there is all weather and wheel chair access to a truly stunning sight.
The track winds through a mature stand of kauri, swamp forest and associated vegetation. Interpretive panels assist with the understanding and enjoyment of this special forest ecosystem. Visit www.puketi.org.nz for more info.
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| Large kauri trees dominate the reserve. This activity is a must for all people interested in New Zealand wildlife. |
Russell (Kororareka)
Long before Captain Cook's visit in 1769, Russell was an established settlement of various Maori tribes. Its name at that time, Kororareka, reflected a legend that a wounded chief asked for penguin and on tasting the broth said "Ka reka to korora." (How sweet is the penguin.)
From the early 1800s, South Sea whalers found Kororareka ideal as a provisioning port. The town grew in response, gaining a reputation as a lawless and bawdy port, and earning the nickname Hellhole of the Pacific. The image has changed but Russell is still a provisioning base for pleasure craft cruising the Bay of Islands and the South Pacific. One of the surviving witnesses is Russell's historic restaurant The Gables, built in 1847.
The town continued to expand until the country's first Capital at Okiato (formerly Old Russell) moved to Auckland. Kororareka and the Bay of Islands began to decline economically as a result. This was hastened by the sacking of the town in 1845 by the forces of Hone Heke and Kawiti, two powerful Maori chiefs.
Following the sacking, Kororareka, now renamed Russell, was gradually rebuilt finding its main source of income in the provisioning and refitting of whaling ships. Later manganese mining, fish canning and coal brought quiet prosperity to the area. From the early 1900s Russell became known as a quiet historic town. Other attractions that brought visitors were the annual regatta and the development of big game fishing, promoted with enthusiasm by the American writer, Zane Grey.
Today tourism, fishing, oyster farming and cottage industries provide much of the employment for its population of 1000 people. A stroll along the historic waterfront down to the Russell Museum (www.russellmuseum.org.nz ) and on to Pompallier house (www.historic.org.nz/Pompallier/pompallier_history.html) both worth a visit but leave plenty of time for each.
A final stop at the historic Church of Christ where it ‘starred’ in the Maori wars of 1845 during the defence of Kororareka and the timely reminder of the bullet holes in the back wall. The headstones are also worth having a stop to read from the most famous to the infamous.
Russell can be reached by a ferry ride from Paihia wharf or by car ferry from Opua wharf both recommended trips.
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Heading North
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| Stunning rock formations heading north |
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| “The Ramp’ @ Waipapakauri onto Ninety Mile Beach |
Starting at Ahipara Bay Ninety Mile Beach sweeps northward to just south of Cape Maria van Diemen, past the Bluff, Motupia Island and Scott Point.
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From Cape Maria van Dieman it is only a short distance (as the crow flies) to Cape Reinga and the lighthouse. The actual length of Ninety Mile Beach is more like 60 miles (96 km), but visitors need not feel short-changed as the scenery is breathtaking and seemingly never-ending.
Maori called it Te Oneroa a Tohe - the long beach of Tohe.
Although the beach is navigable by vehicle it can be treacherous and many cars have bogged down over the years because drivers miscalculated the times of incoming tides; other tragedies have occurred because of reckless speeding or irresponsible behaviour. The main approaches to Ninety Mile beach are at Ahipara and further north – the Waipapakauri ramp.
Waipapakauri
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The most northerly station in New Zealand was Waipapakauri which had been used since 1941 by aircraft making sea reconnaissance’s over the northern approaches to New Zealand. During 1942 and the first half of 1943 it had been regularly occupied by No. 7 (GR) Squadron.
From June 1943 onwards it was used as an advanced and emergency landing ground for aircraft en route to and from the forward area, for the benefit of which it maintained a servicing section and signals section.
During the war the RNZAF and Army maintained a presence at Waipapakauri and there was often speculation – and fears - of a possible Japanese invasion; there were even rumours of alien lights being spotted out at sea.
Ancient Kauri Kingdom
229 State Highway 1, Awanui, Northland , New Zealand 0552
New Zealand native kauri trees (Agathis australis) that fell thousands of years ago are known simply as ancient kauri. The trees have been buried and preserved underground in swamps for more than 45,000 years. Ancient kauri wood is carbon dated at more than 45,000 years old. It predates the migration of Neanderthal man and was already buried in swamps more than 25,000 years before the onset of the last Ice Age.
Ancient kauri is the oldest workable wood in the world. Ancient kauri is considered worldwide a valued heirloom connecting us by its beauty and ancient history.
'It is very grand, very rare, very exotic and very very special.'
The kauri is amongst the largest and oldest growing trees in the world and living kauri trees are protected. At Ancient Kauri Kingdom they only use wood that is sourced from the buried trees. The ancient wood is found in swamps in the north of New Zealand.
Ancient Kauri Kingdom have been pioneers for everything ancient kauri since 1992. They undertake the entire process - extract the logs from Northland swamps, mill, and then manufacture and sell ancient kauri products. The precious ancient kauri heirloom product can be shipped all over the world and they also guarantee their products for age, quality, authenticity and workmanship (NZ made).
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Visit www.ancientkauri.co.nz/ to find more info on the process of turning swamp kauri into a stunning piece of art.
Taupo Bay
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Harley Davidson Rides at Mangounui or Kerikeri by arrangement
Helpful advice and assistance with booking tours and we would be pleased to arrange any excursions such as swimming with the dolphins, skydiving or simply cruising the bay.