New Zealand Luxury Motels

 

PAIHIA is a popular year round tourist destination and is the gateway to the stunning Bay of Islands, New Zealand. Nestled on the shores of the Bay the waterfront location offers a range of cafes, shopping, fishing excursions, boat cruises, sailing, golf and New Zealand's most significant historic sites.

 

In the centre of Paihia the wharf is a hub of activity and a base for charter boats and booking offices for organised sight seeing excursions and cruises of the spectacular bays, coves and rock formations. Hop on board a sailing charter take a big game fishing trip or depart for a swimming with the dolphins experience.

The Paihia - Russell Ferry makes its frequent scheduled return departures from the wharf and at least a day trip to the historic settlement of Russell is highly recommended.

There are many safe swimming beaches along the waterfront and a temperate climate makes Paihia a desirable year round holiday destination whether you are swimming or relaxing at a waterfront cafe.

 

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Recommended visitor attractions and activities in Paihia

• Get out on the water to see the beautiful Bay and it's 144 islands. Depart from the wharf on one of many available cruise options.
• Go fishing, catch a charter boat for either a relaxing line fishing excursion or the big game option and go for a marlin.
• Take a dolphin watching or swim with the dolphins excursion.
• Catch the Paihia to Russell Ferry for a return day trip to historic Russell.
• Explore Waitangi and the picturesque Treaty grounds on foot.
• Relax on the beach and swim in the safe warm waters.
• Play a round of golf at one of the many great local courses including the 18 hole Waitangi Golf Course with stunning ocean views.
  
   

Recommended New Zealand history attractions in Paihia and The Bay of Islands.

• Waitangi and the Treaty grounds
  Waitangi is the site of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi document in 1840 between Maori and European settlers. There are panoramic views of the Bay and it's islands from this elevated site, the treaty house, a visitor centre, native bush walk, a fully carved Maori meeting house and a waka or Maori war canoe.

• Historic sites of Russell
  Originally a fortified Maori village, Russell was the first capital of New Zealand. Sites to visit include Pompallier House an early French Catholic Mission and print shop, now a museum, Captain Cook Memorial Museum, Christ Church New Zealands oldest surviving church, Flagstaff Hill and numerous quaint wooden colonial buildings along the Strand.
   
• Historic sites of Kerikeri
  Visit the Stone store, the first European building in New Zealand which still functions today as a store and museum and the nearby Kemp House an early mission and New Zealands oldest house.

 
 

What's your preferred level of activity?
 

Action adventure
Sky diving, marlin fishing, off roading, 4 wheel driving, water skiing, underwater diving, snorkelling, swim with the dolphins, sea kayaking tour.

Moderate activities
Hands on Sailing, wind surfing, kayaking, fishing, waterfront and coastal walks, golf, sea kayaking, hire a bicycle.

Relaxing activities
Sailing, dolphin excursion, scenic boat trips, Cape Brett 'hole in the rock' cruise, swimming and lazing on the beaches, people watch at a waterfront cafe, shopping for local art and craft.

Children and young families
Three safe sandy swimming beaches and rocky sea shore out crops.
 

 

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Getting to Paihia and The Bay of Islands

Self drive by road
From Auckland City you can drive a return trip up the East Coast to Northland and down the West Coast or vice versa on the Twin Coast Discovery Highway.
Distance from Auckland to Paihia is 233 km (146 miles) and takes approx 3 and a half hours.
Paihia to Kerikeri is 23 km (14 miles) approx 30 minutes.
Paihia to Cape Reinga is 223 km ( 138 miles) approx 3 hours.
Allow a few days at least to explore these areas. Roads are of a good standard, although care is required on the roads in Northland as they can be narrow and winding the further North you go.
 

Air Services
There are three domestic airports. Whangarei, Kerikeri and Kaitaia.
Each airport has a shuttle service which meets all flights.
Whangarei and Kaitaia have a taxi service.

Paihia – Russell Passenger Ferry.
This ferry service transports foot passengers between the towns of Paihia and Russell and makes an ideal day trip. It departs from the main wharfs in central Paihia and Russell. Both destinations can then easily be explored on foot.
Departs Paihia every 20 minutes,
Operating between the hours of 7.00am - 10.30pm
With reduced departures in winter.