Paihia and Waitangi basically form one settlement, which is the hub of the region’s commercial and visitor action. All tours and cruises for the Bay of Islands start here. It’s a short (1.5km/1-mile) walk to Waitangi from Paihia, where the historic Treaty House is located. The main street is Marsden Road, which runs along the waterfront. Williams Road is a one-way street perpendicular to the coast; many of the shops are here. Russell is a tiny community across the water. The Strand runs along the waterfront. Most of the charter boats in the area are anchored here; access is by ferry. Kerikeri is a 20-minute drive north from Paihia. Once you turn off State Highway 10 onto Kerikeri Road, you’ll find most of the main attractions and eateries. In Doubtless Bay, the little fishing village of Mangonui (82km/51 miles from Paihia) is the core settlement. Coopers Beach, Cable Bay, Taipa, and Tokerau Beach are all within a few minutes of Mangonui. From Cable Bay, the coast swings in a huge arc of fabulous remote beaches all the way up to Karikari Peninsula. Kaitaia is the major town of the Far North, 116km (72 miles) south of Cape Reinga. To the southwest lies the small town of Ahipara at the base of Ninety Mile Beach, which runs all the way up to the Cape.

Visitor Information

You’ll find the Bay of Islands i-SITE Visitor Centre at The Wharf, Marsden Road, Paihia (tel. 0800/363-463 in NZ, or 09/402-7345). Hours are 8:30am to 5pm.

The Far North i-SITE Visitor Centre is at Centennial Park, South Road, Kaitaia (tel. 09/408-0879). It’s open daily from 8:30am to 5pm.

When to Go

The Bay of Islands has a sub-tropical climate, with average daily temperatures of between 14°C and 24°C (57°F–75°F) and reaching 30°C (86°F) in summer (December–February). The region has an average rainfall of 2,000mm (79 inches). There is occasional light frost in winter.

Special Events

New Zealand's big, 3-day Bay of Islands Sailing Week Regatta starts off in late January. February 6 is Waitangi Day, a national holiday and cultural day and Paihia is center stage for the day?s celebratory events. Dozens of waka (war canoes) and over 500 Maori warriors take part in the celebrations and are always a spectacular sight. The Bay of Islands Jazz and Blues Festival (tel. 09/402-7345) runs day and night from early to mid-August at various venues around Paihia and Russell and the Russell Spring Festival is held in early September.

Getting Around

Orientation

The main towns (and tourist hubs) in the Bay of Islands are Paihia, Russell, and Kerikeri. Waitangi, just across the bridge from Paihia, is an important historic site as is Russell, across the bay from Paihia. Paihia and Russell are linked by a regular passenger ferry service. Opua is a tiny settlement just south of Paihia, largely used by visitors for the car ferry terminal.

Bus

The Bay of Islands has no public bus service. Intercity buses provide transport between major towns such as Kerikeri and Paihia and from other parts of Northland and all points south.

Taxi

Paihia Taxis & Tours and Paihia Cabs & Shuttles provide only airport transfer services and small group touring in mini-buses. Kerikeri Taxis provides a more standard service (but still in a mini-bus) as well as airport and touring. All these services should be booked well in advance.

Boats

Fullers InterCity Ferries operate four passenger ferries throughout the day from the Paihia wharf to the township of Russell, from 7am to 5:30pm (later during summer months). Tickets can be bought on board. The trip takes about 15 minutes. A vehicular ferry runs between Opua (just south of Paihia) and Russell every 10 minutes from 6:30am to 10pm daily. Bookings are not required, and tickets can only be purchased in cash (pay on board).

More Information

http://www.paihiataxishuttle.co.nz

http://www.paihiatransport.co.nz

http://www.kerikeritaxis.co.nz

http://www.dolphincruises.co.nz

Getting There

By Plane

There are three Northland airports: Whangarei, Kerikeri, and Kaitaia. Air New Zealand Link (tel. 0800/737-000 in NZ, or 09/357-3000; www.airnewzealand.co.nz) offers daily service from Auckland to Kerikeri, with a shuttle bus to Paihia, and daily service from Auckland to Kaitaia. Charter flights are available with Salt Air Bay of Islands (tel. 0800/472-5824 in NZ, or 09/402-8338; www.saltair.co.nz) or Skylink Air Charter (tel. 09/422-7018; www.skylink.co.nz).

By Coach (Bus)

Both InterCity (tel. 09/623-1503; www.intercity.co.nz) and Northliner Express (tel. 09/583-5780; www.northliner.co.nz) have daily service between Auckland and Paihia, Kerikeri, and Kaitaia. Both offer discounts to VIP backpackers and seniors. There’s no local bus service in the Bay of Islands, Doubtless Bay, or Kaitaia.

By Car

If you plan to spend a few days in this area, pick up the free Twin Coast Discovery Highway map from any visitor center. It’s an easy drive however you do it, with beautiful coastal views and rolling farmland all the way and usually very little traffic. Rather than going straight to the Bay of Islands (about a 3-hr. drive), you might want to explore the area known as Whangarei. The drive from Auckland to Kaitaia via the east coast takes about 5 hours. Northland’s west coast is also worth a visit if you have the time. The best plan is to go up the east side and drive back to Auckland via the west coast. If you arrive via plane or bus, rental cars are available through Pegasus Rental Cars (tel. 0800/354-512 in NZ, or 09/402-8491; www.carrentalsbayofislands.co.nz). Help keep Northland roads clean by getting the official Northland visitor guide from information centers, which maps all recycling drop-off locations. Prepaid recycling bags are sold throughout Northland at service stations, supermarkets, camping grounds, and information centers for NZ$1.50 each.

By Ferry

If you stay in Russell but want to eat in Paihia, you’ll need to take the passenger ferry that connects the two. It’s the only inexpensive means of getting from one shore to another, and it runs hourly beginning at 7am and ending at 7:30pm. In summer, crossings are extended to 10:30pm. Fares are NZ$7 each way or NZ$11 round-trip for adults, NZ$3.50 or NZ$5.50 round-trip for children 5 to 15. If you miss the last boat, you can take the slightly more expensive water taxi. Note: The ferry from Paihia carries pedestrians only. If you’re driving to Russell, take the car ferry at Opua. No reservations are needed; the ferry shuttles back and forth every 10 minutes, daily from 7am to 10pm, and costs NZ$12 one-way for a car and driver and NZ$1 per extra passenger. Campervans cost NZ$15 and motorcycles NZ$5 one-way. The car ferry lands at Okiato, which is about 10 minutes’ drive from Russell township.

By Water Taxi

The Island Water Taxi (book at the visitor center) offers 24-hour service; fares depend on the time of day and the number of passengers.

By Tour

Several companies in Auckland offer 1-, 2-, and 3-day tours to the Bay of Islands and beyond. For good value and personal service, contact Great Sights (tel. 0800/653-339 in NZ; www.greatsights.co.nz). Northliner Express (tel. 09/307-5873; www.northliner.co.nz) also has a range of packages and good-value backpacker passes. Kiwi Experience (tel. 09/366-9830; www.kiwiexperience.com) offers well-priced 1-, 2-, and 3-day tours to the Bay of Islands and Cape Reinga. Tours to Cape Reinga operate from Bay of Islands, Doubtless Bay, and Kaitaia.

Keep Exploring