Top Things to do in Bay of Islands
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10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Bay of Islands That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Bay of Islands, New Zealand including Waitangi Mountain Bike Park, Bay of Islands Water Taxi, Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Paihia Harbour, The Parrot Place, Rainbow Falls, Aroha Island Ecological Centre, The Stone Store & Kemp House - Kerikeri Mission Station, Cape Brett Walkway, Pompallier Mission and Printery.
Restaurants in Bay of Islands
1. Waitangi Mountain Bike Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 62 reviews
A family-friendly mountain bike park located in Waitangi. Currently up to 50km of professionally built trails with many more planned for development. Trail grades range from Grade 2 (Beginners) to Grade 5 (Advanced) so something for all. Riders are encouraged to Register to Ride for either $10 a day, $40 (adults annual donation), $25 (kids annual donation). This registration donation goes straight back into trail building and track maintenance to keep the tracks awesome for you all. Many businesses in the Bay of Islands have volunteered incentives to encourage bike riders to donate in this way. Onsite, Paihia Mountain Bikes run the hire out high-quality Mountain Bikes (kids bikes, front suspension, full suspension and E-bikes) that are perfect for exploring the tracks, along with Uplift Shuttles within the park (shuttles run weekends and school holidays). There is also the Waitangi MTB Café that runs during the weekends serving smoothies, snacks and coffees.
Reviewed By tmrnz
Super helpful and relaxed staff. Amazing value. Extensive, enjoyable well maintained tracks for kids and novices. Beautiful location. Loved the coffee at the cafe, super friendly, and sure will see wider range and some healthy options on offer as this amazing community built park grows in popularity. Highly recommend. We’ll be back.
2. Bay of Islands Water Taxi
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 55 reviews
We specialize in Cape Brett walking track transfers, personalized tours throughout the Bay of Islands and the Hole in the Rock. Our Skipper is an owner in this world reknown attraction so are able to give you a very intimate historical and cultural experience in the Cathedral and through the Hole itself. Learn the spiritual significance of the area like no other tour operator can offer
3. Waitangi Treaty Grounds
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,127 reviews
Waitangi Treaty Grounds welcomes you on a journey of the place where much of New Zealand’s history was shaped. An absolute must-do for all visitors to New Zealand, the award-winning Waitangi Treaty Grounds is a national treasure and tells our nation’s history of two peoples coming together under the Treaty of Waitangi, Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Enjoy an interactive full day experience in the two contemporary museums, powerful Māori cultural performances in the carved Māori Meeting House, insightful guided tours, lush native forest and gardens, art gallery and carving studio, traditional Māori waka (canoe), café and so much more, all with stunning views over the Bay of Islands. Hāngi and concert evenings are scheduled during the summer months – an intimate cultural experience not to be missed. The award-winning Waitangi Treaty Grounds is a must-do for all visitors to the Bay of Islands.
Reviewed By caitylouhall99
I really enjoyed my visit to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds last weekend, as it gave me so much new insight not only into local Māori culture and history, but also the importance of modern New Zealand’s founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi, and its ongoing significance today. I chose to do a “full package” at the Treaty Grounds, with a Day Pass to explore the beautiful grounds during opening hours followed by a Hāngī and Cultural Show at dusk. I first went on a guided tour of the grounds, which was a great introduction not only to the space but the historical lead-up to the drafting and signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. It was good that our guide didn’t shy away from some of the tough political questions asked about the Treaty or the ongoing controversies connected to it. I then visited the museum, which was beautifully presented and very well laid out. This was followed by the hāngī which, while obviously modified for tourists, was still an enjoyable introduction to an important part of Māori culture. The cultural show in the traditional meeting house was very moving and professionally presented by talented performers - it was an excellent, entertaining addition to an already very informative day (and I was particularly fascinated to learn that traditional Māori culture had always had a strong focus, even in song and dance, on the “realm of gardening”!).
4. Paihia Harbour
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,218 reviews
Reviewed By johncherylh2016 - Hawera, New Zealand
Easy to walk around and take in all that happens around this little harbour. Rather busy, but still a relaxed place with lots of boats coming and going.Sometimes you can see the cruise ship's anchored of shore.
5. The Parrot Place
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 340 reviews
Wander through our glorious subtropical gardens and enjoy the entertaining antics and colourful plumage of a huge variety of exotic parrots from around the world. Enjoy getting up close and personal with our pet birds in a natural environment and get your photo taken with them and Elmo the dancing Macaw. Let the kids burn off some energy in our play area whilst you sit back and relax with refreshments and ice creams from our kiosk "Sweet Tweets"
Reviewed By clenrays - Rotorua, New Zealand
Hi Guys, I watched this on 'Travel Guides NZ' the show peaked my curiosity, so we went along for a visit, My family and I had an AWESOME experience, I highly recommend this place to all people of all ages, the staff are very informative about all the birds, there are not enough words to say about this place, but we DEFINITELY WILL BE BACK next time where in Kerikeri
6. Rainbow Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 863 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By MurrayP550 - Porirua, New Zealand
Fantastic run or walk from the Stone Store to Rainbow falls through Totara and Kauri Forest beside the river.
7. Aroha Island Ecological Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 56 reviews
Reviewed By pbog2018 - New Zealand, null
My mother and I stayed here recently in Tui Cottage - highly reccomend!! Everything was wonderfully clean, it was quiet with beautiful native bush and a lovely spot for swimming. We heard kiwis from out cottage!! Thank you so much to all at Aroha Island for your work, aroha nui!!
8. The Stone Store & Kemp House - Kerikeri Mission Station
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 757 reviews
The Bay of Islands is New Zealand's foremost historic area, birthplace to Maori and Pakeha (European) relations and home of the Kerikeri Mission Station. Established in 1819, the Kerikeri Mission Station is one of New Zealand's first places where Maori invited visitors to to live among them. Built under the protection of local Maori chiefs who were keen to harness the trade and technology of Europe, Kerikeri Mission Station grew amidst a backdrop of tribal warfare and ever increasing visits from foreign ships. Located only 5 minutes from Kerikeri the Kerikeri Mission Station has a range of activites available. The grounds tour is a visitor favourite - experienced guides share stories of fierce warriors and drunken sailors and earnest missionaries who preached, taught and battled to spread the Christian message amongst Maori, a proud people with their own ancient traditions. The Kerikeri Mission Station is also the site of two of the country's oldest surviving buildings- The Stone Store and Kemp House.
Reviewed By wilma55x - Dunedin, New Zealand
Visited Stone Store and Kemp House as part of a cycling trip (C2K) organised by Northland Experiences - tour was wonderful because the guide was very interesting, knowledgeable and enthusiastic - her stories about the lives of women who lived in Kemp House were particularly interesting.
9. Cape Brett Walkway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By lrking - Auckland, New Zealand
Decided to do this as it seemed like a good walk for a weekend - discovered it isn't quite a walk in the park but what a good decision. We were a group of 13 that ranged from 27 to 66 and different levels of fitness but everyone got to the Hut - some quicker than others. It is challenging up and down terrain but well worth doing if you are keen on the outdoors - some magnificent scenery and feeling of total freedom. We were planning on staying at the hut so carried packs for the night so that made it tougher. In the end as the weather was closing in for the next day we called the water taxi to rather collect us the same day as we would have needed to walk back to deep Water Cove for collection and were not to keen on a possibly wet slippery return there. Turned out to be an excellent decision as the best Water Taxi Service ( BOI Water Taxis - Bob) came and got us and then we were lucky enough to be taken through Hole in the Rock as well as the Cathedral - very special and we were given great history about the area. We did meet some walkers that were simply walking for the day and being collected that afternoon so they had little packs which would have made it a pleasure - we will definitely do that next time Yes - we are planning on doing it again! We want to return to Oke Bay Lodge for a few days - that's where we stayed on the Friday night before the walk and what a treat - hence the plan to do the walk again and soak up some more of Oke Bay itself which is quite beautiful
10. Pompallier Mission and Printery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 608 reviews
Pompallier Mission, where Catholic missionaries translated religious texts into Maori, printed and bound them into beautiful books, was a saintly enclave in the most sinful site of the southern seas. In what is undoubtedly one of the best heritage tours in the country, our passionate guides will take you through the steps of leather tanning and book-making as it was done by courageous pioneers living in this tiny outpost, over 170 years ago. Delight in our award winning heritage gardens, take in the wonderful views across the Bay and browse our Heritage Store for a unique reminder of a special place. Relax in our French Coffee House and enjoy the best coffee and views in the Bay! Covid19: We have increased hygiene protocols, hand sanitiser available, smaller tour group numbers, and contact tracing on site for all guests.
Reviewed By otawa
You get a guided tour around historic Pompalier House. I had no idea how difficult it was to tan leather and make a book 150 years ago. I learned why books used to be so prized. There is a super little french style cafe for after the tour as well.
