Tahapuke Lodge | Luxury Accommodation Russell, Bay of Island

Activities in the Bay of Islands

The Bay of Islands is one of the most picturesque and popular holiday destinations in New Zealand, combining great outdoor experiences with some of New Zealand's most significant historic sites. The Bay of Islands is steeped in New Zealand history and where the earliest contact between the indigenous population and European settlers took place. Visit Waitangi to see the treaty house, where New Zealand's founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi, was signed.

Russell, once the rowdy and bustling capital of New Zealand, today maintains a lively and casual island feel due to its isolation from the mainland. From here walk north to Flagstaff Hill, a reserve that was once the scene of a historic confrontation between Maori and the British Colonials.

Nearby Kerikeri, the earliest permanent settlement in New Zealand, houses some of the country's oldest buildings, bush walks, arts and crafts and local cuisine. The Bay of Islands offers plenty of recreational activities including yacht or launch charters, diving or snorkeling, sea kayaking and swimming with the dolphins. The area's magnificent natural beauty, coupled with its important New Zealand history makes the area truly unique and the ultimate holiday region.