| |
New Zealand > Northland > Paihia
The main service town for Russell and the Bay of Islands.
 New Zealand's
Paihia is a place of friendly locals, over 250 businesses with
cafes, restaurants, arts and crafts shops, a supermarket, internet cafes and a petrol station, many tourist operators and a wide
range of
accommodation.
From here you can take the frequent ferries to Russell or a cruise out
onto the sparkling blue waters of the Bay of Islands, to see or swim with dolphins,
see the hole in the rock, or try your hand at fishing. See our reviews of
Sailnz's sailing catamaran and Kings hole in the rock and dolphin watch tours
below.
There are also flights and tours out over the Islands or to Cape Reinga, many easy walking tracks
and the leisurely stroll along the Paihia
waterfront to Waitangi.
Walks
 A Waitangi - Haruru Falls Mangrove Walk 2 hours one way
From the Treaty Grounds, follow an easy, well maintained gravel track, which
passes over a mangrove board walk and then follows the Waitangi River to Haruru
Falls. During the summer holidays 2008, this track had large signs saying this
track was closed, however we took no notice of the notice and enjoyed the walk
where we were able to view nesting cormorants and enjoy the tranquility. We
encountered a couple of minor obstacles insufficient to close the track in our
opinion. This track on a fine day has some shade and provides some relief from
the summer heat.
Paihia - Opua Coastal Walk 2 hours one way
Walk around the rocks at the southern end of Paihia Beach onto Sullivans Beach
and around the headland to Te Haumi. The walkway then continues from the
northern side of the bridge over the Te Haumi river. From this point the track
can become slippery in winter. The track then winds its way up and down the
slopes of the cliff overlooking the water, over a mangrove boardwalk and onto
Opua. Great scenery and plenty of resting places available.
Paihia Lookout Track 30 mins one way
A pleasant walk through regenerating forest to a lookout over the bay. Access to
the track is via School Road, 700 metres from the Paihia township. Can join Oromahoe Road Traverse (a further 2 hours).
Oromahoe Road Traverse 2.5 hours one way
The track follows a ridgeline through regenerating hardwood/podocarp forest,
linking Oromahoe Road with School Road, near Paihia. Forest and sea views.
Harrison Scenic Reserve Walk 30 mins one way
This walk travels through some of the best coastal forest in the Bay of Islands.
Magnificent Kohekohe and Purriri provide the canopy to a shady and pleasant
walk. It is accessible via the coastal walkway at Cherry Bay or from Broadview
Road, Opua.
Off
The Edge
My wife and I took a ride aboard this catamaran, built as a high performance
flyer, ‘On the Edge’ is capable of speeds in excess of 30 knots. Its 72ft long, 40
ft wide and a mast that stands 105ft high and can carry 50 or so passengers.
The day of our trip it was overcast and after motoring over to Russell, we had
to motor out and 35 minutes into the bay before we found enough wind to sail and
with a light 1.5 - 2 metre swell, we finally got underway for 20mins before
stopping to take on 30 or so people from another boat and then stopped ashore on
a nearby island for
a walk and a swim in the very clear water.
After lunch we headed out into the bay and sailed back toward Paihia. We had a good breeze, and after putting up the new spinnaker for the very first time,
Paul reckoned we were doing about 10 - 12 knots. As we came closer to shore, we turned and sailed up the coast for a half hour before
returning to Russell and Paihia. As the day
progressed, the breeze became cooler and we
were supplied weatherproof jackets.
The
Crew; Paul the skipper kept us on course and and provided a commentary about the
boat and sights of interest but I must say
well done to Kylie, who seemed to do everything
except steer; she put up sails, cleaned, carried, drove the dingy, prepared an
excellent lunch, managed the bar and found time to have a chat with passengers.
At $115.00 per (adult) person, this was a
memorable day spent on the ocean and would we
do it again? Perhaps if there was a stronger
wind, and we went further out into the bay..
and if there were more likely to be dolphins..
For an enjoyable day on this boat, take
sunscreen, bathers, camera and its fun to help
haul up the sails.
|
Paihia
Accommodation |
Kings Hole in The Rock and Dolphin Tour
For those who enjoy the exhilaration of standing on the bow as this twin hull
catamaran speeds along at 20 - 30 knots, this is one fun tour, though if the sea
had been much rougher, this would not have
been an option.
There is little interaction with the crew,
though the captain provides a commentary about
places and sights of interest. The vessel has
a well stocked bar.
This boat is fast and after cruising some of
the islands, we headed out into the bay where
we cam upon a large school of bottle nose
dolphins that played around us for about 15
mins before we resumed course to the hole in
the rock - and sailed right on through.
Motoring back to Paihia at speed we took more
notice of the other boats about and felt
relieved we were not strapped on the front
deck of one of the fastest boats in the bay
(pictured below) that does two trips to our
one.
At $77.00 per (adult) person, this was a memorable
day spent on the ocean and would we do it
again? If the opportunity is there, yes, though
there are other operators to try out, such as
swim with the dolphins, or fishing.
For an enjoyable day on this boat, take
sunscreen and a camera.
|
Paihia
Accommodation |
 
Waitangi
The Waitangi Treaty Grounds (called the Birthplace of the Nation] are a short
drive north of Paihia township or a 1/2 hour walk along the waterfront. Here you
can learn about pre European history and the developing European and Maori
relationship.
Bay of Islands Water Taxis
Paihia Accommodation
|
|
|
|
