Discover Adventure and Nature in Russell, Bay of Islands, New Zealand: 6 Reasons to Visit

If you love history, nature and big game fishing, then Russell, Bay of Islands, is the place to base yourself.

Russell was the first capital of New Zealand and has not only many notable historical places of interest, but nature at its finest. It is also a great place to base yourself for exploring the Bay of Islands on one of the many cruises available, which allow you to explore the islands and the diverse marine life in the area.

Read on to learn about this piece of paradise in New Zealand, once known as the “hell-hole of the Pacific”.

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Why You Should Visit Russell, Bay of Islands

Historical Significance: Russell is one of New Zealand’s oldest and most significant towns, and it’s here that you can learn about its rich history, which dates back to the early European settlement. You can visit historical sites like Pompallier House and Christ Church, and walk up Flagstaff Hill to learn about the country’s past.
Beautiful Beaches: Russell has stunning beaches where you can enjoy their crystal-clear waters and pristine white sands. At popular spots like Long Beach and Oneroa Bay, you can relax, swim, and enjoy water activities like kayaking or snorkelling.
Scenic Landscapes: The town is located in the Bay of Islands, renowned for its picturesque beauty. You can take boat tours or go hiking to explore the rugged coastlines, abundant wildlife, and lush greenery. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the iconic Hole in the Rock.
Whale and Dolphin Watching: The Bay of Islands is home to a large population of marine mammals, including dolphins, whales, and seals. You can join a boat tour and have the chance to see these incredible creatures up close in their natural habitat.
Adventure Activities: For thrill-seekers, Russell offers a range of adventurous activities, including fishing charters, sailing trips, parasailing, and jet skiing. You can also go on scenic hikes or explore the area on a mountain bike.
Quaint Atmosphere: Despite its historical significance, Russell retains a charming and relaxed atmosphere. The town boasts a lovely waterfront area featuring boutique shops, art galleries, and quaint cafes, where you can savour local cuisine and soak up the ambience.

Historic Russell, Bay of Islands

Russel may be a small town, but its history is vast. It was in this area that white settlement started in New Zealand.

Kororareka Beachfront with the wharf, where the ferry docks.

Its original Maori name is Kororareka, and white whalers would trade with the Maori and base themselves here, receiving the reputation as the “hell hole of the Pacific.” Not this peaceful tourist oasis it is today.

By 1830, Kororareka was one of the largest whaling ports in the Southern Hemisphere and with hundreds of men onshore, “ladies” and alcohol ruled the land.

Pompallier Mission and Printery

The view of Pompellier House from the street.

Pompallier Mission and Printery was a Catholic Mission and Printery and is now a tourist attraction. You can take a tour today to learn about 19th-century printing and bookbinding, as well as walk around the beautiful Victorian and Edwardian gardens.

Pompallier House is named after Bishop Pompallier, who bought the land in 1839 and had the house constructed during 1841 and 1842 using the rammed earth method. By 1842, it was printing religious texts in Maori and continued to do so until 1849.

After passing through private hands over the years, the Government purchased it in 1941, and it was restored in the 1990s with the original printing press.

Hours

Daily

10:00 am – 4.30 pm (Summer – November 1st – April 30th)
10:00 am – 3.30 pm (Winter – May 1st – October 31st)

Summer Guided Tour Times (November 1st – April 30th)

10.30 am, 11.30 am, 1.30 pm, 2.30 pm, 3.30 pm (subject to availability)

Winter Guided Tour Times (May 1st – October 31st)

10.30 am, 11.30 am, 1.30 pm, 2.30 pm (subject to availability)

French Coffee House Café

10.00 am – 3.00 pm (Friday – Wednesday). The café is closed on Thursdays over winter (1st May – 31st October).

Public Holidays

Christmas Day, Anzac Day (until 1.00 pm)

Prices

To find the prices for guided tours, as well as garden and museum tours, please visit their website.

Where It Is

Pompallier Mission and Printery is located at 5 The Strand. Turn right off the pier, and it’s less than 300m away.

Christ Church

One of if not the oldest building in New Zealand, Church Church. — One of, if not the oldest, buildings in New Zealand, Christ Church.

Christ Church is the oldest church still in use today, making it the most historically significant European settlement building in not only Russell but also New Zealand.

The first service was held in 1836 in the nearly completed building and was open to both Māori and Pākehā (Europeans), with services conducted in both Māori and English. It was also used occasionally as a courthouse.

What brings most people to see the church is the damage done to the outside by musket shots and cannonballs during the Battle of Kororareka. It was on 11 March 1845 that 600 Maori fought the Royal Marines and sailors from the HMS Hazard, who were aiding a detachment of the 96th Regiment British soldiers, as they were dissatisfied with how the British ruled the country.

A walk through the graveyard is a must with many significant people buried here including Tamati Waka Nene, a Ngapuhi chief primarily responsible for the Maori’s acceptance of the Treaty of Waitangi and who fought for the settlers against Hone Heke, Hannah King Letheridge, the second European girl to be born in NZ, Dr Samuel Ford, New Zealand’s first resident surgeon, the six men from HMS Hazard who fell in the battle, and whalers whose headstones often tell of untimely deaths.

Walking Audio Tours

A digital cemetery walk from Hikoi Tahi Walking Tours is available, guiding you through the graves and sharing the stories of some of the interesting people buried here. Please download the walk below and enjoy visiting the church.