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NORTHLAND, NEW ZEALAND – Bay of islands is a real paradise of the Nort District of New Zealand with a realy deserved prefix ‘Magnificent’. With its remarkable natural beauty, charming towns and golden beaches it’s one of the most popular travel destinations in the South Pacific. Located some three hours drive from Auckland to the North, it consists around 140 small natural islands of tropical forests with scenic trails and beautiful restaurants and hotels. The greatest places to start exploring the Far North corner of New Zealand are lively towns of Paihia, Russell, Opua as well as Waitangi and Haruru Falls.
Paihia
Well recognized by the three sandy beaches scheltered by the rocky islet, Paihia has been a popular holiday destination for over a hundred years. Missionaries were the first Europeans to settle Paihia in 1823. Led by Rev Henry Williams they built a house, a store and the first church in New Zealand, which was constructed in the traditional Maori way using raupo. Today, Paihia’s main industry is tourism. The Paihia warf is the base for scenic cruises, sea excursions and deep-sea fishing.
There are plenty of recreational activities in the blue – green world of Bay of islands especialy during the summer. Many residents work in the adventure and recreational fields running yacht or launch charter, dive, snorkel and sea kayak experiences, known as the jewel of the magnificent Bay of islands. With shimmering safe waters and superb beaches it is easy to understand why so many people choose to make it their home.
Paihia is the place of friendly locals, friendly cafes and people enjoying life, with hundreds of businesses including restaurants, local arts, crafts and tourism operators.
The population soars over the summer months and whether it is swimming with dolphins, taking in a spot of retail therapy or just lazing under a tree, Paihia is the place for it.
Waitangi
The Waitangi Treaty Grounds offer a unique and fascinating insight into New Zealand’s historic past. New Zealand’s most significant document, The Waitangi Treaty, first signed in 1840 between Maori Chiefs and the British Crown, became the basis for life in New Zealand as we know today. The Treaty House is located amongst a peaceful estate which includes a fully carved Maori meeting house, one of the largest Maori war canoes and a visitor center and gallery, the mangrove forest, the Waitangi golf course, abundant native bird life, heritage trees and wonderful bay views.
The Treaty house, the Whare Runanga and Ngatoki Matawhaorua are now the key treasures of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, along with the natural beauty of the Waitangi National Trust estate.
Russell
A quick ferry ride across the water from Paihia is the charming, elegant township of Russell, once the shore leave destination for sailors, whalers, and traders during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Russell offers a fascinating museum, cafes, restaurants and some amazing colonial homes, many of which are now operating as visitor accommodation.
Today Russell is still a favored spot for boaties who seek safe anchorage. There are frequent passenger ferries servicing the water between Paihia and Russell and can take 5 minutes for an exhilarating fast boat ride, or a leisurely 20 minutes on one of the traditional ferries. These ferries run every 20 minutes during the summer season. Russell was established Maori settlement called Kororareka prior to Captain Cook’s arrival. From the early 1800‘s, 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 ‘Hell hole of the Pacific’. Things have changed today but Russell is still a provisioning base for pleasure crafts cruising the Bay of islands and the South Pacific. From the early 1900‘s Russell became known as a quiet historic town. Other attractions that brought visitors were the annual regatta and the development of big game fishing with enthusiasm by the American writer, Zane Grey. Historic places include the Pompalier Mission which is made from rammed earth and Christ Church, New Zealand’s oldest standing church which still carries the bullet holes from the Maori wars, and the famous Flagstaff Hill.
Haruru Falls
Haruru Falls is a small residential settlement, about tree kilometers inland from its larger neighbor Paihia. The waterfall is in a horseshoe shape – very rare and quite spectacular. Maori legend has it that a taniwha (water monster) lives in the lagoon below. Haruru Falls was New Zealand’s first river port and an aramoana (ocean path) for the inland Maori tribes serviced nine kaianga ( villages) between Haruru and Waitangi. Missionaries reported seeing 60 to 100 canoes pulled up on the mud banks. A scenic drive and popular public walking trail has been established between Haruru Falls and Waitangi encompassing the Waitangi golf course and National Trust grounds.
The Haruru Falls walkway is a sheltered walk from the Treaty Grounds at Waitangi, along the bush clad banks of the Waitangi river to Haruru Falls.
Haruru means ‘big noise’ which is fairly appropriate for the noise of the falls. The walk leaves on the opposite side of the road from the Treaty Grounds. Allow 2.5 hours one way. Return the same way back is the best option unless you have a pre-organised shuttle to pick you up.
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