10 Top Tourist Attractions in the Bay of Islands
The Bay of Islands is an area on the east coast of the Far North District of the North Island of New Zealand. It is one of the most popular fishing, sailing and tourist destinations in the country, and has been renowned internationally for its big-game fishing since American author Zane Grey publicised it in the 1930s. In the beautiful Bay of Islands you can take a boat cruise, swim with dolphins, dive, fish or just relax in the sun. Be sure to visit Waitangi Treaty Grounds, one of New Zealand's most significant historic sites.
1. Pompalier House
Pompallier House is a nineteenth-century building located in Russell, New Zealand which once served as the headquarters to the FrenchCatholic mission to the Western Pacific. It is named after Jean Baptiste Pompallier, the first vicar apostolic to visit New Zealand, who founded a number of missions in the North Island. Pompallier House is owned and managed by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, who open it to the public. The building is remarkable for many features. It is New Zealand's oldest Roman Catholic building, oldestrammed earth building, and oldest industrial building.
2. Paihia Harbour
Paihai is the gem in the beautiful Bay of Islands and its waterfront is just wonderful. Great views, superb restaurants, clean and tidy and with a mix of old and contempory building, Paihai has something for everybody. Good restaurants with lovely views; Harbour area quite often hosting craft markets or farmers markets.
3. Rewa's Village
A full-scale reconstruction of a Maori village which recaptures the atmosphere of the average kainga in pre-European times.
Traditionally each sub-tribe built a pa (fortified village) on a hilltop or some other easily defended position. In contrast, the kainga (unfortified village) was a temporary arrangement built close to the kumara fields or to other sources of food.
In times of peace most would live in the kainga, but in times of danger would desert the kainga for the greater safety of the more permanent pa.
4. Urupukapuka Island
Occupied by Ngare Raumati then Ngapuhi early in 19th Century, Urupukapuka Island has significant historic and cultural importance.
This pest-free island is a great place for exploring the archaeological walk, fishing, swimming, and all types of water sports. There are three campsites you can stay at.
5. Wharepuke Falls
The Kerikeri River Track follows the north bank of the Kerikeri River from the Kerikeri Basin and historic Stone Store to the Rainbow Falls. You can also walk the track in the reverse direction.
The track passes through stands of young kauri, totara and associated native vegetation. As you walk along the track, you will pass the remains of a historic powerhouse, built as part of a hydro-electric generation scheme that operated between 1930 and 1967. The building’s remains are open to the public.
You can see interesting rock formations close to the Wharepuke Falls. At the base of these falls is a popular swimming-hole.
Ten minutes westward along the river from the Wharepuke Falls, the Kerikeri River Track goes under the Heritage Bypass and takes you to a seating area at the Fairy Pools.
The Kerikeri River, at the Wharepuke Falls, and the larger Rainbow Falls, tumbles over basalt lava fields, which flowed into the river valley following volcanic eruptions some 200 million years ago.
6. Twin Coast Cycle Trail Northland
The Twin Coast Cycle Trail will run a total of 84 kilometers from Horeke, a settlement in the inner harbour of the Hokianga to Opua in the beautiful Bay of Islands. This trail is steeped in historical significance for early New Zealand history.
A bus service is available to take you (and your bike) from Whangaeri to Kaikohe, the start of the trail.
Part of the trail is open now and the full length is due to open at the end of 2014. The 33km stretch of trail open now begins in Magakahia Road near Kaikohe Airport and ends through the Utakura Valley on Horeke Road.
• From Magakahia Road near Kaikohe Airport, to Kaikohe, a 7 kilometre section of trail on historic railway formation is complete and ready to ride.
• The 14 kilometre section of trail, between Kaikohe and Okaihau, is also open and ready to ride. This section is well signposted from the main highway, just 500 metres west of the main shopping centre.
• The final section from Okaihau to Horeka is currently being constructed and will be completed by around April 2014. At this stage you can ride from Okaihau down the Utakura Valley to Managataraire Road which pops out onto Horeke Road.
7. Cape Brett Walkway
Cape Brett Track traverses through native and regenerating bush. The track runs along the ridge through Maori-owned land before reaching conservation land at Deep Water Cove - Manawahuna for the last 6 km of the track. You can take a side-track (1 hr return) down to Deep Water Cove, where you can enjoy a refreshing swim and snorkel.
From the forested ridges, you can take in spectacular coastal scenery. Towards the Cape, walking alongside the dramatic cliff-face, you can see abundant fish and bird life below - often dolphins and seals will come close to shore.
8. The Pioneer Village in Kaikohe New Zealand
Kaikohe is the home of Hone Heke Pokai and Okaihau 14 km away of Tamati Waaka Nene.
It was one of the centres of Kauri logging & Kauri gum digging so we have collections of Maori Taonga, Engines, Tractors, Kauri Gum, Vehicles, Logging and Saw milling equipment, Vintage buildings, and much more.
9. Cottle Hill Winery
Cottle Hill Winery is a small family-owned winery founded in 1996 by Michael and Barbara Webb who sailed from San Diego, California aboard their 35ft Island Packet yacht Sprig.
We absolutely fell in love with the Kerikeri area and believed in its potential for growing quality grapes to make premium wines. We have created a range of wines that suit most palates from the novice wine drinker to the connoisseur.
Cottle Hill is a casual and relaxed winery experience. You can sample the award-winning wines, savour the food and enjoy the stunning view from the highest peak in the Kerikeri area.
10. Waitangi Treaty Grounds
The Treaty House at Waitangi in Northland, New Zealand, is the former house of the British Resident in New Zealand, James Busby. The Treaty of Waitangi, the document that established the British Colony of New Zealand, was signed in the grounds of the Treaty House on 6 February 1840.
The grounds had previously been the site of other important events, such as the signing of the Declaration of the Independence of New Zealand in 1835. The house and grounds remained in private hands until 1932, when they were purchased by Governor General Viscount Bledisloe and donated to the nation. They were dedicated as a national reserve in 1934, in a ceremony attended by thousands of people, both Māori and Pākehā, and including the Māori King. It was the site of another major event in 1940, when the centenary of the Treaty signing was celebrated. From 1947 the grounds became the site of annual Waitangi Day celebrations.
10 Top Tourist Attractions in Bay of Islands
