After visiting Auckland, our next destination was Paihia, “Jewel of the Bay of Islands.” Paihia is the perfect base for exploring New Zealand’s Bay of Islands. With 144 islands to discover, the Bay of Islands is a great place for fun, adventure and relaxation all year round. However, this northern region of New Zealand has so much more to offer. Quirky towns, historic sites and natural wonders. Driving to and from Paihia enabled us to stop and experience some of these locations. Honey farms, magnificent waterfalls and the elegant town of Russell, were a few of the many activities available around the Northland of New Zealand.
Paihia is a decent-sized town where accommodation, supermarkets and eateries are plentiful. The Visitor Information Centre located next to the Paihia wharf, offer an extensive range of water activities and cruises around the Bay of Islands. Adventure seekers will love parasailing over the islands, swimming with dolphins or scuba diving among epic shipwrecks. Or if you prefer a more relaxing scene, then take the short ferry ride across to the legendary town of Russell.
For a very brief period during the first European settlement, Russell was New Zealand’s first capital city from 1840-1841. Formerly known as Kororareka, Russell is rich in history with many stories to tell. In fact, the Maori legend tells that once upon a time, a Maori chief, who was wounded in battle, drank penguin broth to heal him, declaring “Ka reka te koroa” (how sweet is the penguin) Therefore revealing, Kororareka. Korora (the blue penguin) and reka (sweet).
The local museum is a great place to check out the history of this waterfront town. One of New Zealand’s oldest pubs (Duke of Marlborough) and New Zealand’s oldest church can be discovered in Russell. Russell is a delightful place to enjoy an afternoon of relaxation and good food at one of Russell’s renown cafes or restaurants while watching the sunset over Paihia and the Northland.
Not far from Paihia are the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. A spiritual place of cultural learning and the origin of where the Treaty of Waitangi was initially signed between the British Crown and more than five hundred Maori chiefs, thus uniting in agreeance that New Zealand would become a British Colony.
Further along, the thundering roar or Haruru Falls can be heard as you approach the small bit wide waterfall. The rare horseshoe-shaped waterfall site is an ideal place to take a picnic and enjoy the scenic surroundings.
Whilst driving we encountered the Honey Centre in Warkworth. A great stop to gain a deeper understanding and respect for the simple honeybee. With on site bee colonies and beekeepers and high-grade quality honey, the Honey Centre is perfect for picking up gifts and souvenirs to take home.
Another recommended stop between Auckland and Paihia is Whangarei Falls. This picturesque waterfall stands 26.3m high and majestically drops over basalt cliffs. With almost half of the population of Whangarei consisting of Maori, Maori influence remain strong in Whangarei. Many legends are still told today, and the importance of sacred ground prevails. It is reported that the base of the Whangarei Falls may have once been tapu (sacred) as the pool below the waterfall was once used by Maori tribes for washing the wounded and was known to Maori as the place for healing. Today the waterfalls attract many tourists. From the car park there is an easy two-minute walking track to view the falls from street level. The steep decline to the bottom is not too far, though may not be suitable for those with walking difficulties.
Unfortunately, with only one day in Paihia, we were limited as to what we could see, hence eliminating many sights. Nevertheless, this popular New Zealand summer destination proved its undeniable natural beauty and lures me to return to discover the undiscovered.
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Love the sky in that opening shot! 🙂 🙂 It does look a beautiful place! I’d love to visit NZ.
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Thanks Jo. Those evening shots are just beautiful sometimes. Such a relaxing place to visit. 😊
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Amazing scenery!!
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It’s pretty special. Thanks Darlene. 😊
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Wow, looks so beautiful. Loved all the photos here and sounds simply amazing. xx
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Thanks Miriam. Hope you enjoyed the long weekend. Xx
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Had a ball Lorelle. Hope you did too. xx
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Glad to hear. Xx
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Lovely photos!
I should really re-visit NZ, haven’t been since 1985.
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You definitely should Nilla. 😊
Thank you and have a great week ahead.
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Such gorgeous shots!
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Thank you Rachna. 😊
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144 islands to choose from wowzers! I love that free little library what a fantastic idea.
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I know right!
How cute is it. I had to take a photo. If I had been there longer I probably would have borrowed a book too. 😉
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Gorgeous Pics! You have a good eye!
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Thank you Lisa 😊
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I loved this Lorelle! We stayed a few days there and your post brought back lots of memories!
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Glad to spark the memories. You have probably visited most of the places I am writing about from our NZ adventures Deb.
Have a great week. X
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Looking forward to reading more Lorelle!
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Thanks for your support as always Deb. Have a great week. X
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Oh my gosh this looks absolutely stunning! Really like your pics too! I’ve alwasy wanted to visit New Zealand but not had the chance yet…
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One day Suz. X
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Isn’t one day only in a place frustrating! After my recent holiday in NZ and sleeping in 10 beds in 19 days, I’ve decided never again will I do such a whirlwind trip. We visited several places that I would have enjoyed staying for 2-3 nights at least so as to soak it all in and enjoy the ambiance.
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You sound like me Chris. It’s all good in hindsight when booking and organising, and then you arrive and wish you had more time. 😂
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NZ definitely looks like paradise on earth ..such beautiful locales and natural beauty!
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Absolutely Nisha. I loved the natural beauty alright. X
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So much to see in Your beautiful photos. My favorite ones are fall photos. Thank You.
Have a good day!
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They are beautiful indeed.
Thanks Matti.
Have a great day too 😊
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It’s all so ‘natural’. Makes me want to get outdoors.
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A great incentive right? 👍🏼😊
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That looks like such a lovely place!
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Thanks Kasia. A great place to relax. 😊
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Another place we could stay at for days. The scenery in NZ is so beautiful.
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It sure is Carol. X
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Beautiful pictures!
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Thanks Ursula. 😊
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I had forgotten how beautiful Paihia and Russell were, since I was sick and spent 3 days sleeping at the hostel in Keri Keri! Thanks for reminding me! Ciao, Cristina
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Oh no. How unfortunate. We missed Keri Keri. I would have liked to have visited there too. 🤷♀️
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Paihia is so scenic and I love the little story you added about the Maori chief and the penguin…though I wonder, do they serve up penguins in Paihia?
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😂😂
I didn’t see any penguin 🐧 on the fish and chips menus 😉
Have an awesome weekend. Xx
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what a heavenly place NZ is – love the way the yellow flowers pop and the teal water (omg) and that is the biggest free library booth I have ever seen. Right on – I mean, read on….
,
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Haha.. absolutely read on.
Thank you for stopping by Prior 😊
Have a great week.
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Hope
You have a nice week too
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Very knowledgeable Post…Thanks
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Thank you and thanks for stopping by 😊
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