Top Things to do in Bay of Islands
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What to do and see in Bay of Islands, North Island: The Best Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in Bay of Islands, New Zealand including Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Paihia Harbour, The Parrot Place, Rainbow Falls, Pompallier Mission and Printery, The Stone Store & Kemp House - Kerikeri Mission Station, Flagstaff Hill, Paroa Bay Winery- Villa Accommodation., Manginangina Kauri Walk, Urupukapuka Island.
Restaurants in Bay of Islands
1. 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”!).
2. 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.
3. 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
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Flagstaff Hill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 473 reviews
Reviewed By lisa1984871 - Bendigo, Australia
Lovely walk from Russell and the hills got my muscles attention! Walk along foreshore at low tide or use the detour at high tide. Scenic tropical forest with fabulous 360 views from the top. Definitely worth the effort.
8. Paroa Bay Winery- Villa Accommodation.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 72 reviews
There are few places in the world where you get the sense of land emerging from the ocean — where you can trace the contours of the land down below the waterline, where sky, land and sea are continuous — and New Zealand’s Paroa Bay Winery and Estate is one of these places. Featuring three superb villas, a boutique vineyard, and our coastal-inspired restaurant Sage — we ensure every aspect of luxury is plentifully provided for. The first of our luxury villas, Tarāpunga, is named after the local seabirds, and nests high above the bay. With floor to ceiling windows and an infinity pool on an expansive outdoor entertaining area, Tarāpunga truly brings the incredible scenery to the fore. Our second villa, Weka, is a smaller but beautifully designed residence, and available for reservation concurrently with Tarāpunga. Our third villa, Vineyard Cottage, sits amongst the vines of our famed winery and enjoys views of the beautiful rolling green hills of both vineyard and native bush.
Reviewed By brizay - Singapore, Singapore
Last month I had the great fortune to stay at The Tarapunga villa at Paroa Bay winery. This is a luxurious accommodation, gorgeously furnished with stunning views of the Bay of islands from every corner of the house . The infinity pool invites you to jump in and stare at the view. The villa has a home cinema, tennis courts, a gym, Badminton, bicycles, Golf buggies which we used to admire the beautiful surrounding nature and manicured landscape of the winery and also to access the private beach. There is also an annexed villa that can accommodate another family or grown up kids. The place is perfect in every way(it even has, Sage, next door, the best restaurant in the area ). It’s a perfect Accommodation for a perfect holiday I had the time of my life. I highly recommend it.
9. Manginangina Kauri Walk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 132 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By rorydph - Wellington, New Zealand
We were originally planning to visit Tāne Mahuta, but that was a bit too much of a drive from our Paihia accommodation so we opted to visit this forest walk instead. We're glad we did too as we've not seen a kauri forest before and we were impressed by the scale of the trees. Apart from the 3-4km of gravel road to get there, this is a beautiful spot that's an easy walk in a serene setting. Well worth a visit.
10. Urupukapuka Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 152 reviews
Reviewed By annchand1 - Auckland, New Zealand
A beautiful island with many walking trails and gorgeous sandy / pebble beaches with crystal clear water. Recommend a visit if you have time whilst visiting the The Bay of Islands. We enjoyed our tour with Sea shuttles....wish we could have spent the whole day.
