36 Hours in the Far North of New Zealand

As a small island country off the coast of Australia, New Zealand hosts some of nature’s finest creations.  New Zealand is mainly separated into two land masses—the North Island and the South Island.  Generally, everyone’s first thought is to jump straight into the South Island and submerse themselves in an island with natural beauty at every corner.  However, the best way to take on New Zealand is to start at the North Island, which is home to many of its own pockets of beauty.  And with this, there is no place better to start than the Far North itself. 

Above Auckland, the upper sliver of the North Island has so much to offer.  What you will find is beyond beautiful, it’s nearly indescribable.  The best way to truly take in everything the Far North has to offer is by rental car.  Rental car places flood the city of Auckland and with a quick booking, you can head off on your very own adventure. 

Friday

1)    9 a.m. Quick Road Trip Up North

For the northern island of New Zealand, Auckland is up there.  Despite the mass of land below New Zealand’s largest city, there are several hidden gems north of Auckland not many consider in their short trip to this beautiful island.  With the Bay of Islands as the center of this surplus of hot spots, a quick trip up north will certainly showcase some of New Zealand’s greatest beauties.  From stunning views to beaches for miles, the North Island does not disappoint when it comes to upholding New Zealand’s reputation for hosting some of the most breathtaking sights in the world.      

2)    12 p.m. Pit Stop

On the way to the Bay of Islands, few would miss stopping by Whangarei, New Zealand’s northernmost city.  In the city of Whangarei, among the many impressive sights, rests the Town Basin.  For people passing through, this is the perfect place to stop for a quick bite to eat while still admiring the natural beauty of the surrounding clear blue waters of the Hatea River.  Of all the eatery options, The Quay is one of the best.  With a clear view of the water, an outdoor seating option, and a wide variety of food, this restaurant definitely delivers.   

         

3)    1:30 p.m. Shopping Spree

While the Town Basin offers a number of different options for food, don’t forget to check out some of the local stores before continuing on.  If you’re still looking for that perfect souvenir for your family and friends back home, this could be the opportunity to snatch it.  The string of shops feature countless little trinkets and gifts to remember your time in the beautiful country of New Zealand.  And if lunch did not fill you up, there are plenty of options for coffee or ice cream to enjoy before you hit the road for the last leg of the drive.

4)    4 p.m. Route to Russell

After another hour of driving, you will have finally reached the Bay of Islands, well technically the town of Paihia.  From here, you can catch a ferry to the historic town of Russell out in what is considered the Bay of Islands.  For just $12 for adults and $6 for children, a quick ferry across the water brings you to a whole new place to explore.  One way to see everything from above is embarking on one the many hikes Russell offers.  Hopping right off the ferry boat, the Flagstaff Hill hike is only a short distance with a big reward. 

The views that await

5)    6:00 p.m. Dine In or Take Out

Like the stop in Whangarei, Russell has a wide range of restaurants to suit the various cravings of residents and visitors.  If you are someone looking to live out your dream of eating at the renowned Spongebob SquarePants’ restaurant, the Krusty Krab, you can certainly come close by stopping at Russell’s very own Crusty Crab.  Not the fanciest option, but the Crusty Crab offers a quick bite to eat from 11a.m.-7p.m.  Now, if you are looking for something a little more formal, The Gables can provide the nice sit-down restaurant you are seeking.  It is one of the main attractions of this historic town.  Founded in 1847, The Gables has earned the title of New Zealand’s oldest operating restaurant.  While taking in all the history this establishment has to offer, once again you can enjoy a view by the water.  Perhaps one of the pricier options, but the impeccable service and delectable food makes it money well spent.

6)    8:30 p.m. Time to Head Back

After an eventful day, it is time to catch a ferry back.  They run until 9 p.m., except in the summer (1 October - 15 May) when they run until 10 p.m.  Depending on the time of your visit, you will want to aim to get on the second to last ferry at the latest since in case you miss it, there is still another chance to get back to Paihia.  After dinner, it is recommended you head back and get some rest because the next day is an early one. 

Saturday

7)    7 a.m. Fun Packed Tour Day

Time to wake up bright an early for the Dune Rider tour.  This tour takes you to some of the North Island’s greatest treasures.  It is one of the priciest parts of the weekend reaching $155 for adults and $110 for children, but it is a great deal for everything they have in store for you.  The Dune Rider is a well-known bus tour of the Far North that gives you 11 hours of facts, fun, and freedom.  Throughout the long, windy drive, there’s miles of open land, endless mountains, and more sheep than anyone can count.

Up by Cape Reigna

This specific tour features three main stops, hitting some of best sights, hikes, and beaches of the Far North.  Starting with Cape Reigna, the driver guides you to the tip of the North Island, a perfect picture opportunity.  The hike itself brings you to one of the most captivating views of this tour.  From here, you head out to the sand dunes where everyone aboard the bus is supplied with sand-covered boogie boards ready to take you sledding down a gruelingly steep hill of sand straight into a mud pit finish.  All dirty and certainly sandy, the next stop takes a route exclusive to this tour down to the Ninety Mile Beach where everyone can clean up and cool off. 

There are plenty of tours providing certain degrees of what the Dune Rider offers.  However, between the informative bus tour, exclusive paths, and major landmarks hit, the Dune Rider is definitely one to consider; the 11 jammed packed hours certainly do not disappoint.

Ninety Mile Beach

8)    7 p.m. Local Cuisine

After a long, tiring day, a quick rinse and you should be all set to check out one of Paihia’s best restaurants, CBK (Craft Beer and Kitchen).  With a view of the Bay of Islands, CBK is the ideal place to have a quality, relaxing meal by the water to bring an end to this eventful day.  They offer plenty of different options for food, but in the event this is not necessarily everyone’s cup of tea for the evening, it is in the middle of bunch of fine establishments to peruse for dinner.  The restaurant is also right next to the ferry from Friday bringing you back to that central location of it all.

9)    9 a.m. Breakfast of Champions

After a busy weekend, there is no need to rush.  Take a nice day to recover exploring the gorgeous beaches surrounding the Bay of Islands and say your goodbyes at your own pace.  Consider grabbing a quick meal from El Café for breakfast or brunch as well.  The simple, small shop has phenomenal food and service and it would be a shame to miss out on at least one meal here.  Not far from where the ferry departed for Russell, El Café is convenient in location and perhaps one of the best meals you will find.

View from the beaches of Paihia

10) 12 p.m. History Lesson

While spending time in the Far North of New Zealand, heading over to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds is a great way to enrich your understanding of the culture and immerse yourself in the historical importance of this area.  There is a museum at the entrance to explore at your own pace as well as guided tours through the Treaty House, around the Maori War Canoe, and inside the Maori Meeting House where a Waitangi cultural performance awaits.  It is the perfect educational close to a weekend of historic travel, breathtaking views, and endless opportunities for exploration. 

   

Lodging

            As a popular tourist location, there are a wide variety of options for lodging near and around the Bay of Islands.  Considering the abundance of eateries and convenient location of Paihia in terms of traveling from one destination to the next, exploring the various options here is definitely a good start.  From upscale apartment complexes to cheap motels and hostels, Paihia has an accommodation for everyone.  On the higher end of lodging, the Pioneer Waterfront Apartments offer incredible views, spacious living area, and several on property amenities such as a jacuzzi and pool all for $120 a night.  Now for a much more budget friendly option, the Saltwater Lodge provides the bare minimum for $26 a night, great for backpackers and travelers looking to save money where they can.  While Paihia is ideally the best bet for lodging, staying in the town of Russell one night is yet another option for travelers to consider.  Looking for more of a luxurious experience, The Duke extends beyond the Pioneer Waterfront amenities with an on-property gym and formal restaurant adding on to what this 4-star hotel already has to offer.  Regardless of where you choose to stay, your options are certainly not limited; there is a wide price range that should hopefully accommodate all as they delve deep into the hidden wonders of the Far North.