These are the photos I’ve taken while exploring Northland attractions in New Zealand. Hopefully, you not only enjoy the images but also get inspired to visit this area yourself. Don’t forget to take your camera.
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Contents
Northland Attractions
There are so many Northland attractions to see when you visit. Basing yourself in Paihia is an excellent option for those wanting to take tours, such as the Cream Trip cruise in the Bay of Islands, and up to the most northern point in New Zealand, Cape Reinga.
Cape Reinga, Northland Attractions
One place that was a pilgrimage for me is the very top of New Zealand, Cape Reinga. Not only is Cape Reinga the northernmost point of Northland, but it is also the northernmost point of New Zealand.
It is here that the spirits of departed Maori set forth on their journey from the roots of the pohutukawa tree to their ancestral home of Hawaiki.
If you do the day tour from Paihia, you’ll find yourself on 90-Mile beach and the Te Paki Sand Dunes.
You’ll even be able to see giant Kauri trees protected in the Puketi Forest.
For lunch, you’ll get to enjoy fish and chips at the Houhora Heads.
If you’d like to read more about my day tour to Cape Reinga, click 1 Amazing Tour to Cape Reinga, New Zealand.
KeriKeri, Northland Attractions
If you take a 21-minute drive north of Paihia, you will arrive in Kerikeri. Known as the fruit bowl of Northland, this small town has plenty to offer the visitor.
The Stone Store and Kemp House are both from the early white settlement in New Zealand. Here, you can learn all about white settlement and its impact on the local Maori.
There is also abundant nature in this area, with two walks that lead to the waterfalls here.
One track takes in Rainbow Falls and Wharepuku Falls. If you start from the Stone Store end, you will reach Wharepuku Falls first, then Rainbow Falls.
On the other side of the Stone Store, you have St. James Church and the Wairere Falls walk.
The start of the track to Wairere Falls is behind the car park below St. James Church.
For more information about Kerikeri, please visit my blog, “6 Top Attractions in Kerikeri, New Zealand.”
Paihia, Haruru, and Waitangi, Northland Attractions
Paihia is the base for your time in the Bay of Islands. It is here that you find more about nature on land and sea, as well as the history of white settlement in New Zealand.
Paihia is an area where you can do as much or as little as you like. The beach is right in front of the township with shops, restaurants, cafes and more to keep you occupied.
Although not a very old church, St. John’s Anglican Church in Paihia is a beautiful structure. You can go into this bluestone building, which is just as beautiful on the inside. You could also explore the old gravestones at the back.
Just out of town is Haruru Falls. You can get there by car or by walking from Paihia or Waitangi.
You walk along the foreshore to Waitangi, where you’ll find out all about the history of the Treaty of Waitangi and the early history of New Zealand.
You can take the guided tour, take in views over the bay, and learn all about New Zealand at the museums.
You can read more about my time in Waitangi by clicking on my blog, A 1-Day Trip to Waitangi, New Zealand.
The Cream Trip, Bay of Islands
From the wharf, you can catch the ferry to Russell, take in some big game fishing or take a boat out into the islands.
I took the Cream Trip out of Paihia, which included a stop at the Hole in the Rock, Urupukapuka Island for lunch, and a tour around the Bay of Islands.
For more information, please visit my blog, The Cream Trip: 1 Amazing Day Cruising the Bay of Islands, New Zealand.
Russell
From Paihia, you can take the short ferry across to Russell, the first capital of New Zealand and previously known as Kororareka.
Here, you have beaches to enjoy, a walk up to the flagstaff that Hone Heke’s men cut down, and a dark history at Christ Church, the oldest existing church in New Zealand.
After getting off the ferry, you can walk up Flagstaff Hill to not only get views over the Bay of Islands and Russell but also see where the flagstaff stood that Hone Heke’s men cut down on his behalf.
On 11 March 1845, the Māori were dissatisfied with British rule. The church took the brunt of the Battle of Kororāreka. Today, you can see where stray musket balls and cannonballs hit the church.
On the other side of Russell Village is Pompallier Mission House. Set up by French Marist Brothers in 1842, it was used as a printery where Church texts were translated from Latin to Maori.
It is now the oldest industrial building in New Zealand, and you can do a guided tour of the property and see the heritage gardens.
You can read more about Russell on my blog, Visit Historic Russell, Bay of Islands, New Zealand.
Whangarei Falls
When you are travelling north or south from Auckland to Northland, you can stop off at Whangarei Falls for a bit of nature and fresh air.
There is an excellent circular track from the car park. On the track, you can see all the lookouts as well as down to the pool below the falls.
Conclusion
I hope that you have enjoyed viewing Northland attractions through my Nikon. To read the blogs from the area, click here. Hopefully, one day you can visit and have your own experiences with Northland’s attractions.
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- If you’re interested in learning more, try my Travel Links and Resources page.
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Thank you for taking me back to the North Island. We spent three weeks there, and went to almost all the places you mention. I would love to go again. Sometimes I think the North Island get’s less attention, undeservedly, than the South Island. I love them both.
I couldn’t agree more, Laureen. I still have to properly visit the South Island, like I did the North Island, and hopefully, that will be next summer.
Absolutely stunning photographs. I haven’t been to New Zealand (yet), but I would very much like to get there one day. It’s just so, so far and I don’t like flying!
Thanks, Elaine. I know what you mean about flying. I don’t like it as well, and it is a very long flight.
such a beautiful post! As soon as we can travel again we want to take a trip to the top of the North Island.
If there’s one thing we learnt from our time north, it’s that we barely scratched the surface of all the amazing beaches, lush forests and impressive waterfalls that make up the Far North.
I hope that you get back one day, Tony and Kim, to explore more of New Zealand.