Paihia and the Bay of Islands

Auckland is the nearest international airport to Paihia, and most visitors travel from there. There are regular tourist coach services that leave from Auckland. These take about four hours to reach Paihia, as they stop at various pick-up points along the route.There are also many packaged tours available that include the Bay of Islands in their North Island itinerary.
Regional airlines have flights from most of the main centres in New Zealand to Kerikeri airport which is about 20 minutes by car or shuttle van from Paihia.
Rental Cars are the most popular choice of transport for overseas visitors

All the major operators are represented at New Zealand airports and the friendly staff will supply roadmaps, driving guides and helpful advice to their customers. It is essential to pre-book rentals in the summer season!
There is a motorway from Auckland to Orewa and from there you follow State Highway One through Whangarei to Kawakawa before detouring along Route 11 to the Bay of Islands. The entire Northland tourist routes have been clearly signposted with distinctive "Twin Coast Discovery Highway" signs as part of a major tourism promotion effort by Destination Northland, our regional tourism authority.

About eight hundred years ago, the great Maori navigator, Kupe, discovered the land of New Zealand which he named "Aotearoa" - land of the Long White Cloud. In the centuries that followed, there were successive waves of Maori settlement in New Zealand, many of them landing in the Bay of Islands.
The first European known to visit New Zealand was Abel Tasman in 1642. Over a century later, in 1769, Lieutenant James Cook in his ship "The Endeavor" entered the Bay of Islands and charted part of the coast.
The Bay become known as a safe harbour where sailing ships could refit and replenish their supplies of food and water by trading with the local Maori . Russell became the main centre for whaling ships and as deserters and escaped convicts settled in the area and founded grog shops and trading posts, it gained the reputation as "The Hellhole of the Pacific". Paihia, on the opposite side of the bay from Russell, became the main missionary settlement where the first Maori Bible was printed.

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The great Waitangi waka

In 1840, A treaty was signed between the northern Maori chiefs and the British at Waitangi, where the governorship of the country was ceded to Queen Victoria, in exchange for guarantees of Maori rights to their lands, fisheries and forests.

EVENTS

JOYOUS OCCASIONS
Wedding Planning & Event Management services in the beautiful Bay of Islands
Tel: 09 407 8887
Fax: 09 407 8889
Mob: 021 666 712
katie@joyousoccasions.co.nz

ART & CRAFTS
The Bay of Islands is the home of many of New Zealand's fine artists. From wood carving to pottery and many styles of painting, there is plenty of choice.

SAILING THE BAY

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There are so many ways to enjoy the wondrous scenery that a boat trip through he Bay of Islands has to offer. If you prefer armchair comfort, choose a cruise on a Kings or Fullers high speed catamaran. For the more adventurous, a trip on a maxi yacht like Freewind or Gungha II combines the thrill of sailing with the intimacy of a smaller group. If you have limited time, or just like to be the fastest, The Excitor will whisk you to the Hole in the Rock and back in 90 minutes. For those with time and a spirit of adventure, charter a yacht from Great Escape, and meander from island to magic island in your own yacht

LOCATION Paihia is a small seaside town about 240km north of Auckland. It is located on a sheltered inlet in the heart of the Bay of Islands, sheltered from the Pacific Ocean by the Russell peninsula. The region includes the town of Paihia and its suburbs of Te Haumi and Opua to the south and Waitangi, Haruru Falls and Watea to the north. The historic town of Russell is 3km across the bay. The region is in the beautiful sub-tropical Far North of New Zealand. Paihia is the main tourist centre in the Bay, offering a wide variety of accommodation options for visitors. It is the departure point for the world famous sea trips around the Bay of Islands Maritime Park and coach trips to Cape Reinga, the northernmost tip of New Zealand, Ninety-Mile Beach and the ancient Kauri Forests..
THE BAY of ISLANDS The Bay of Islands Maritime Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations for local and overseas visitors. With 144 magic islands to explore, the balmy climate, unspoiled beaches and magnificent sub-tropical forests are complimented by the friendliness of the people. The sheltered waters of the Bay of Islands are a haven for yachts from around the world, The seas abound with kingfish, marlin and snapper, while whales and dolphins are regular visitors	This was the cradle of Maori and European settlement in New Zealand and has many sites of historical significance. Paihia is the main tourism and accommodation centre in the Bay and is the departure point for many of the tours and excursions. Russell Once a rowdy trading port but now famous for its elegant buildings, fine restaurants and art and crafts. Long Beach, on the ocean side of Russell, is one of the area's best swimming beaches. Opua The northernmost customs entry point for yachts and sailing ships in New Zealand. A large marina with boat repair facilities. Kawakawa Small country town famous for its historic steam train and the most photographed toilet in New Zealand designed by Hundertwasser. Kerikeri Voted New Zealand's "Best Small Town" this is the citrus fruit centre of New Zealand, It has two wineries and some excellent restaurants.
Aerial view of The Bay of Islands