The Bay of Islands is a magnificent region consisting of 144 islands, overflowing with natural wonder and marine life. If you’re wondering about things to do in Paihia, you’re in luck because Paihia is the epicentre for all leisure activities in the Bay of Islands. In no particular order, here are my 10 top things to do in Paihia, Bay of Islands.

1. Waitangi Treaty Grounds

The Waitangi Treaty Grounds – “our birthplace” – are full of cultural icons…

• The historic Treaty House with its manicured gardens and sweeping cliff-top lawns,
• a giant flagstaff (one Hone Heke didn’t chop down!),
• three flags (British, New Zealand and Maori),
• the spiritual whare nui (carved Maori meeting house),
• the warlike waka (the world’s largest single-hulled canoe),
• the surrounding bush full of native birdsong,
• and the hillside views of a still-beautiful land.

For a spectacular introduction to the history of New Zealand, you can’t go past the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Many find it quite moving and very significant. It is also the setting for numerous guided tours, a carvings tour, and Maori cultural performances.

Going to Pahia and not visiting the Waitangi Treaty Grounds is like going to Paris and not visiting the Eiffel Tower! You are guaranteed to spend more time than you could have imagined there.

The Waitangi Treaty Grounds is a must-visit for anyone wanting to understand New Zealand’s rich, bicultural history.

WHERE: 30 Tau Henare Dr, Waitangi, Bay of Islands
WEB: www.waitangi.net.nz

2. Kelly Tarlton’s Shipwreck Museum

Kelly Tarlton’s Shipwreck Museum is devoted to the many treasures lost in shipwrecks and then salvaged by Kelly Tarlton.

Kelly was an expert in marine archaeology and salvage. Born in the South Island, he toured with world with his commercial diving company working on many famous shipwrecks.

Kelly founded the Shipwreck Museum in 1970. During this time he was also recovering Captain Cook’s lost anchor in Tahiti, searching for the famous wreck of the Lutine in Holland, and salvaging treasures from a Spanish treasure galleon off the coast of Florida.

He converted the three-masted kauri ship Tui into a maritime museum of recovered treasures that includes the Rothschild jewellery lost on the ship Tasmania in 1897, gold and silver bullion lost on the ship Elingamite that was wrecked at the Three Kings in 1902, and other artefacts and treasures totalling around 1,000 pieces.

WHERE: Te Kemara Avenue, Waitangi, Far North
PHONE: +64 9 402-7018

3. Twin Coast Rail Trail – Mountain Bike Tour

The Twin Coast Cycle Trail is 20 km of easy riding that will take you through rural views and native bush for 2-3 hours. If you can ride a bike you can ride this trail. The gentle gradients and smooth surfaces make it an easy ride for any cyclist.

Although it’s a 2-3 hour ride, fit riders can do it much quicker if desired.

The cycleway is built on an old rail corridor and features an 80 metre long rail tunnel constructed in 1915.

It passes through the very heart of the Far North, offering panoramic rural views of the Hokianga on one side, and Lake Omapere and farmland on the other. Beautiful bush and farm scenery can be admired all around while you pedal away.

You are picked up from Paihia at 9:00 AM and taken to Kaikohe where you are fitted out with bike and helmet dropped off at the start of the trail. You set your own pace and are picked up at the end, returning to Paihia at 2:30 PM.

WHERE: Top Trail Hire and Tours, c/o Take Note Bookshop, Williams Rd, Paihia
WEB: http://toptrail.co.nz

4. Haruru Falls & Bush Walk

Haruru Falls, although smaller than grand attractions like the Niagra Falls, is a perfectly formed concave waterfall on the Waitangi River.

The name Haruru means loud or thundering noise. Tall ships used to sail right up to the falls to trade with local Maori, making it one of New Zealand’s oldest river ports.

Park your car at the golf course alongside the Waitangi National Reserve and set off on the 3 km walking track to the falls. The spectacular walk is relatively flat and takes you through forest, along the shoreline and through mangroves until you end up at Haruru Falls – a great spot to have your lunch.

Allow up to one and a half hours each way for slower walkers and half that for fit walkers.

You can also continue through a mangrove forest up to the top of Mount Bledisloe for superb views to Paihia and the Bay of Islands.

5. Mack Attack Hole in the Rock Boat Trip

Mack Attack is the Bay of Islands’ fastest boat to the Hole in the Rock, travelling at speeds of up to 100 km/h. It is the fastest, most spectacular way to see the world-famous Hole in the Rock.

You will experience a 1½ hour thrill through the inner and outer islands of the Bay of Islands to the awe-inspiring scenery of Cape Brett, then through the Hole in the Rock, and explore deep into Cathedral Cave, all with an informative commentary from your skipper.

There are stops along the way to observe the abundant wildlife and seize photo and video opportunities.

WHERE: Mack Attack, Paihia Wharf, Paihia Waterfront.
WEB: www.MackAttack.co.nz

6. Maxi Yacht Day Sail

Spend the day aboard Lion New Zealand, the famous 80-foot maxi sailing yacht that Sir Peter Blake sailed into second place in the 1985/86 Whitbread Round The World yacht race.

Stop at beautiful Otehei Bay for a delicious barbecue lunch and activities such as kayaking, snorkelling, swimming, and nature walks. Or just kick back and enjoy the island atmosphere before sailing back to Paihia later that afternoon.

This is a full-day sailing experience going wherever the wind takes you among the 144 islands of the bay. You have the opportunity to get involved with the crew, take the helm, exert energy on the grinders, or simply sit back and take in the view.

Enjoy a fresh BBQ lunch onboard while anchored at a sheltered bay, and an island stopover with activities such as snorkelling, swimming, exploring and kayaking.

PHONE: 0800 365-744
WEB: www.explorenz.co.nz/SailNZ/SailNZ-lion-new-zealand.html

7. Fullers Half-Day ‘Discover Kerikeri’ Tour

Discover some of Kerikeri’s best keep secrets in this popular afternoon tour.

Kerikeri is a wonderful mix of old and new. On the ‘new’ side is horticulture and niche food products, chocolates and wine. Visit boutique Ake Ake vineyard and taste their organic wine and coffee. Watch chocolates being made at the boutique Makana Chocolate Factory, and sample one of their handmade chocolates.

On the ‘old’ side, you will visit historic sites including Kemp House, the oldest wooden house in New Zealand, and the famous Stone Store (1832-36), which is of national and international significance as the oldest surviving commercial building in New Zealand. Take a step back in time and learn about some of the history that makes this part of New Zealand famous.

WHERE: Departures: Paihia Maritime Building
WEB: www.dolphincruises.co.nz/tours/discover-kerikeri

8. Dune Rider Tour to Cape Reinga via Ninety Mile Beach

Dune Rider is an air conditioned, 36-seat vehicle purpose-built to go off-road. Drive along 90 Mile Beach, climb huge sand dunes and boogie board back down, visit Cape Reinga lighthouse and view the meeting of the two oceans.

You’ll also visit the Ancient Kauri Kingdom, and enjoy a guided tour of Gumdigger’s Park where you’ll learn about the early 1900′s gumdigging days on the site of an ancient buried kauri forest.

Includes a coastal cafe morning tea stop, freshly prepared lunch box that is included in the price, and a stop at the famous Mangonui Fish Shop.

PHONE: 0800 365-744
WEB: www.explorenz.co.nz/Dune-Rider/index.html

9. Ferry to Russell

Catch the ferry to Russell, a quaint old whaling township and the site of New Zealand’s first European settlement. Russell is a cute historic town full of cafes, gift shops and bed & breakfasts. Enjoy the food, the beach front, the views and atmosphere.

10. The Many Bars & Restaurants of Paihia

As the ‘capital’ of the Bay of Islands, Paihia caters to everyone with bars and restaurants aplenty. This incomplete list will give you a ‘taste’…

• Bay of Islands Swordfish Club: Great views, cold beer, good food, sensible prices.
• Beachhouse: Live music every night from Thursday to Sunday.
• Frank’s: Cafe, bar and great pizza parlour.
• Mako Beach Bar: A great place to catch some live music on the weekends.
• Only Seafood: Highly recommended for local seafood. The fat Pacific oysters with soy, wasabi and pickled ginger are to die for.
• Pipi Patch Bar: A ‘party’ bar at the ‘party’ hostel. Large video screens and terrace.
• Pure Tastes: A first-rate restaurant at the Paihia Beach Resort. Pacific fusion food.
• Salty: Part of Saltwater Lodge, the bar also serves pizza and has karaoke.
• Swiss Cafe & Grill: An unpretentious but superb waterfront restaurant. The huge menu includes pizza, fish dishes and Swiss dishes such as schnitzel and strudel.
• Waikokopu Cafe: Situated beside a pond, overlooking the Treaty Grounds, and backed by bush. Beautiful surroundings. Chomp away on “fush and chups” or sink your teeth into a Rainbow Warrior: French toast sunk in maple syrup, bacon and banana.
• Woolworths Supermarket: If you are into self catering, Woolworths is the place to buy supplies.

A friend of mine emailed and said, “I’m coming to New Zealand for two weeks. I’ve always wanted to go to the Bay of Islands. Why don’t you join me? You book some Paihia accommodation – I’m shouting!“

Well, who could turn down an offer like that? There’s plenty of accommodation in Paihia at a range of prices and styles to cater for most tastes. My mind quickly latched onto the idea of staying in a luxury waterfront hotel in Paihia!

But without knowing my friend’s budget or preferences I thought I’d better research all types of Paihia accommodation and report back with some options.

With lots of beaches and plenty of opportunity for exploring the rest of the Bay of Islands area, Paihia beach resort is a great place to base yourself during your stay in New Zealand’s Bay of Islands.

Paihia is a town that hugs the shoreline, with big hills behind and the bay in front. There’s no danger of Paihia becoming a sprawling metropolis. Much as it would like to expand, the sea and hilly contour behind restricts its spread, keeping it beautifully compact and connected to the beach.

All Paihia accommodation is therefore super handy to anything you could ever want to do. And the options for accommodation in Paihia are many and varied…

I found a diverse range of options like apartments in Paihia and waterfront suites Paihia. Then to balance things out a bit I looked at backpackers Paihia and even checked out a hostel in Paihia. I did hope though that my friend wasn’t on that tight of a budget though!

I found a few hotels in Paihia and, of course, there are heaps of motels in Paihia. I found just about all Paihia accomodation located just a short distance from all the action. In short, you will find no shortage of any kind of accomodation in Paihia.

I specifically wanted to track down accommodation in Paihia that would allow us to fit in plenty of activities during the day (and night) because there are heaps of tourist attractions in the area!