Our Little Guidebook to the Bay of Islands

Hayley
Our Little Guidebook to the Bay of Islands

Sightseeing

Access by boat or by car - you can take a tour through New Zealand’s oldest stone store (and oldest wooden building next door), or it’s also just a really lovely place to check out and go for a coffee or a bite to eat at the Honey Cafe or Plough & Feather. There’s a park across the walking bridge so it’s also a great place for a picnic and to feed the ducks, geese and chickens.
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The Stone Store
246 Kerikeri Rd
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Access by boat or by car - you can take a tour through New Zealand’s oldest stone store (and oldest wooden building next door), or it’s also just a really lovely place to check out and go for a coffee or a bite to eat at the Honey Cafe or Plough & Feather. There’s a park across the walking bridge so it’s also a great place for a picnic and to feed the ducks, geese and chickens.
Access by boat or by car - you can take a tour through New Zealand’s oldest wooden building (and oldest stone store next door), or it’s also just a really lovely place to check out and go for a coffee or a bite to eat at the Honey Cafe or Plough & Feather. There’s a park across the walking bridge so it’s also a great place for a picnic and to feed the ducks, geese and chickens.
Kemp House
Access by boat or by car - you can take a tour through New Zealand’s oldest wooden building (and oldest stone store next door), or it’s also just a really lovely place to check out and go for a coffee or a bite to eat at the Honey Cafe or Plough & Feather. There’s a park across the walking bridge so it’s also a great place for a picnic and to feed the ducks, geese and chickens.
Not far from the Stone Store/Kemp House, you can take a walk through the Rainbow Falls track and find the stunning waterfall at the end. If you don’t feel like the walk, it’s worth taking the car to the other end of the track to check it out.
Rainbow Falls Walk
Rainbow Falls Walk
Not far from the Stone Store/Kemp House, you can take a walk through the Rainbow Falls track and find the stunning waterfall at the end. If you don’t feel like the walk, it’s worth taking the car to the other end of the track to check it out.
A popular waterfall and swimming hole in Kerikeri. You can either park your boat up at the Waipapa Landing or drive to the Waipapa Landing carpark and take the (roughly 10 minute) walk through to the waterfall. There are lots of good spots to jump in from high rocks if you’re a bit of a thrill seeker.
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Charlies Rock
Landing Road
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A popular waterfall and swimming hole in Kerikeri. You can either park your boat up at the Waipapa Landing or drive to the Waipapa Landing carpark and take the (roughly 10 minute) walk through to the waterfall. There are lots of good spots to jump in from high rocks if you’re a bit of a thrill seeker.
Take a 1 hour and 45 minute drive from the Lookout and a short but beautiful bush walk to see the breathtaking Tāne Mahuta - also called “God of the Forest”. It's a really impressive Kauri tree, believed to be between 1250-2500 years old.
Tāne Mahuta Walk
Tāne Mahuta Walk
Take a 1 hour and 45 minute drive from the Lookout and a short but beautiful bush walk to see the breathtaking Tāne Mahuta - also called “God of the Forest”. It's a really impressive Kauri tree, believed to be between 1250-2500 years old.
Just a short drive from Paihia, you can check out the Waitangi Museum or go for a walk through the Treaty Grounds. There are also cultural performances here, so depending on what you feel like doing, it might be worth checking out their website for options and prices (https://www.waitangi.org.nz)
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Waitangi
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Just a short drive from Paihia, you can check out the Waitangi Museum or go for a walk through the Treaty Grounds. There are also cultural performances here, so depending on what you feel like doing, it might be worth checking out their website for options and prices (https://www.waitangi.org.nz)

City/town information

A really sweet little town which is perfect to grab an ice cream, go for breakfast/lunch/dinner, to do some shopping or go for a swim at the beach.
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Paihia
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A really sweet little town which is perfect to grab an ice cream, go for breakfast/lunch/dinner, to do some shopping or go for a swim at the beach.
Take the ferry from Paihia to Russell, another really sweet little town which is perfect to grab an ice cream, go for breakfast/lunch/dinner, to do some shopping or go for a swim at the beach.
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Russell
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Take the ferry from Paihia to Russell, another really sweet little town which is perfect to grab an ice cream, go for breakfast/lunch/dinner, to do some shopping or go for a swim at the beach.

Food scene

The Duke Of Marlborough Tavern is a very popular restaurant with gorgeous views of the water out the front
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The Duke Of Marlborough Tavern
19 York St
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The Duke Of Marlborough Tavern is a very popular restaurant with gorgeous views of the water out the front
One of my favourite places to have a drink or go to eat in Paihia. Located at the end of the wharf, it provides tasty food, beautiful interior design as well as some of the best views of Paihia from your table
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Charlotte's Kitchen
69 Marsden Rd
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One of my favourite places to have a drink or go to eat in Paihia. Located at the end of the wharf, it provides tasty food, beautiful interior design as well as some of the best views of Paihia from your table
Another beautiful restaurant with yummy food, in a great location and stunning views of the Stone Store and Basin from the outdoor seating area. They also have the most delicious Kaffir Lime and Lemongrass panna cotta that I would highly recommend!
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Plough & Feather
215 Kerikeri Rd
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Another beautiful restaurant with yummy food, in a great location and stunning views of the Stone Store and Basin from the outdoor seating area. They also have the most delicious Kaffir Lime and Lemongrass panna cotta that I would highly recommend!
Find the Honey House Cafe near the Stone Store and Kemp House, it’s a really cute spot to go for lunch or coffee with a pretty view
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Honey House Cafe
246 Kerikeri Rd
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Find the Honey House Cafe near the Stone Store and Kemp House, it’s a really cute spot to go for lunch or coffee with a pretty view
Café Jérusalem makes a delicious range of Israeli pitas and plates as well as a really yummy turkish delight! Dine in or order by phone in advance and collect as a take away on your way past.
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Cafe Jerusalem
83 Kerikeri Rd
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Café Jérusalem makes a delicious range of Israeli pitas and plates as well as a really yummy turkish delight! Dine in or order by phone in advance and collect as a take away on your way past.
Village Café in the heart of Kerikeri is perfect for a big breakfast to start the day. They also have plenty of other tasty snack, lunch or drink options to choose from.
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Village Cafe
85 Kerikeri Rd
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Village Café in the heart of Kerikeri is perfect for a big breakfast to start the day. They also have plenty of other tasty snack, lunch or drink options to choose from.
Marsden Estate is a beautiful winery nestled among vineyards that offers wine sales, tastings and tours. With a gourmet menu, it's perfect for celebrating special occasions.
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Marsden Estate
56 Wiroa Rd
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Marsden Estate is a beautiful winery nestled among vineyards that offers wine sales, tastings and tours. With a gourmet menu, it's perfect for celebrating special occasions.
For easy and tasty coffee/chai/hot chocolates on the go, just drive through Way Cup on your way past and have your order within minutes without having to leave your car. They have the BEST cinnamon scrolls too, but you have to get in early for them as they sell out fast!
Way Cup
333 Kerikeri Rd
For easy and tasty coffee/chai/hot chocolates on the go, just drive through Way Cup on your way past and have your order within minutes without having to leave your car. They have the BEST cinnamon scrolls too, but you have to get in early for them as they sell out fast!
The Market is open Saturdays and Sundays every weekend rain or shine. Hours: Saturday 8am – 1.30pm. Sunday 8am – 1.30pm. Every week they have live entertainment from local musicians, a Cash Out facility on site, and plenty of free parking.
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The Old Packhouse Market
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The Market is open Saturdays and Sundays every weekend rain or shine. Hours: Saturday 8am – 1.30pm. Sunday 8am – 1.30pm. Every week they have live entertainment from local musicians, a Cash Out facility on site, and plenty of free parking.
If you're looking for a delicious souvenir to take home or a gift for someone special, this is the place to go. You can watch the chocolates being made on site and you can even have a free taste in store. All of their chocolates are amazing but my personal favourite is the Macadamia Butter Toffee Crunch!
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Makana Chocolate Boutique
504 Kerikeri Rd
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If you're looking for a delicious souvenir to take home or a gift for someone special, this is the place to go. You can watch the chocolates being made on site and you can even have a free taste in store. All of their chocolates are amazing but my personal favourite is the Macadamia Butter Toffee Crunch!

If you have access to a boat

Motuarohia Island is one of my very favorite spots in the Bay of Islands. It has it’s own little lagoon which can be fun for snorkelling and swimming in or just to relax on the beach. There’s also a really nice little walk up to the top of the hill and the view is stunning from up there!
Motuarohia Island / Roberton Island
Motuarohia Island is one of my very favorite spots in the Bay of Islands. It has it’s own little lagoon which can be fun for snorkelling and swimming in or just to relax on the beach. There’s also a really nice little walk up to the top of the hill and the view is stunning from up there!
A beautiful place to go and see and to take the boat for a drive through the hole in the rock. Keep an eye out for dolphins!
Hole in the Rock
A beautiful place to go and see and to take the boat for a drive through the hole in the rock. Keep an eye out for dolphins!
Deep water cove is a nice sheltered bay which is a great spot for snorkeling and swimming!
Deep Water Cove
Deep water cove is a nice sheltered bay which is a great spot for snorkeling and swimming!

Good to know

The local Countdown supermarket
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Countdown Kerikeri
Kerikeri Road
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The local Countdown supermarket
The local New World supermarket
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New World Kerikeri
99 Kerikeri Rd
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The local New World supermarket
The Warehouse
The Warehouse
8 Klinac Ln
The Warehouse