Guidebook for Waipapa
Drinks & Nightlife
Paihia and Russell are the centre of our tourist wharf adventures, the Kerikeri airport also has skydiving, the highest apparently in New Zealand, yes I've done it, yes I'd do it again. Do everything at sunrise or sunset, fewer people and less bus tours. Don't forget to get up to the Cape and check out the huge pyramid sand dunes, and the first beach on the left before the cape. It's awesome. You can also camp there.
9 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Russell
Paihia and Russell are the centre of our tourist wharf adventures, the Kerikeri airport also has skydiving, the highest apparently in New Zealand, yes I've done it, yes I'd do it again. Do everything at sunrise or sunset, fewer people and less bus tours. Don't forget to get up to the Cape and check out the huge pyramid sand dunes, and the first beach on the left before the cape. It's awesome. You can also camp there.
Arts & Culture
Waitangi Treaty Grounds (Bay of Islands)
The Stone Store
246 Kerikeri RdCute wee pre-worldy shop.
Speed cameras on State Highway One so keep to the speed limits, this museum in housed in the Civic building along with a library and a gift shop. It has an extensive exhibition on the early settlers who dug out the Kauri gum and logged the ancient timbers out of the swamps. Imagine a prehistoric New Zealand with nothing but native forest from here to the sand dunes on the cape. I wish!
Kaitaia
Speed cameras on State Highway One so keep to the speed limits, this museum in housed in the Civic building along with a library and a gift shop. It has an extensive exhibition on the early settlers who dug out the Kauri gum and logged the ancient timbers out of the swamps. Imagine a prehistoric New Zealand with nothing but native forest from here to the sand dunes on the cape. I wish!
Food Scene
twenty minutes by car, an assortment of all cuisines as well as icecreams on the pier
Paihia (Bay of Islands)
twenty minutes by car, an assortment of all cuisines as well as icecreams on the pier
Sightseeing
If driving from Auckland, the main stops on the left are the Honey Cafe, great shop for all things from the bees, to wonderful coffee and rest rooms, then a quick stop at the Dutch Cheese shop in Kaiwaka, also has a toilet for customers, and is also on the left, then just after the Brynderwyns, there is on the left a sign to go to the Waipu Caves, even the carpark is of interest with huge rocks caved into turrets by the ocean an odd two million years ago, and yet another decent set of restrooms. This will take you off the main highway for about 15 minutes each way, well worth it but very windy roads and narrow, do not approach blind corners fast, and keep to the left of the road please.
20 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Puketi Forest
If driving from Auckland, the main stops on the left are the Honey Cafe, great shop for all things from the bees, to wonderful coffee and rest rooms, then a quick stop at the Dutch Cheese shop in Kaiwaka, also has a toilet for customers, and is also on the left, then just after the Brynderwyns, there is on the left a sign to go to the Waipu Caves, even the carpark is of interest with huge rocks caved into turrets by the ocean an odd two million years ago, and yet another decent set of restrooms. This will take you off the main highway for about 15 minutes each way, well worth it but very windy roads and narrow, do not approach blind corners fast, and keep to the left of the road please.
Come and watch the sunrise or set, it's about two hours drive from home, but countless beaches to swim at on the way, it's picnic day. This trip can be done quick, or leisurely, I normally swim at Tauranga Bay Beach, have lunch at the Marlin Capital of New Zealand and then drive up and meander to Kaitaia's museum, then drive up ninety mile beach if it's low tide, and then visit the Giant sand dune, then Tapotupotu beach, then make it to the Lighthouse on dusk - 12 hours return trip if you dawdle.
27 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Cape Reinga
Come and watch the sunrise or set, it's about two hours drive from home, but countless beaches to swim at on the way, it's picnic day. This trip can be done quick, or leisurely, I normally swim at Tauranga Bay Beach, have lunch at the Marlin Capital of New Zealand and then drive up and meander to Kaitaia's museum, then drive up ninety mile beach if it's low tide, and then visit the Giant sand dune, then Tapotupotu beach, then make it to the Lighthouse on dusk - 12 hours return trip if you dawdle.
Parks & Nature
A local lake that you can jog to, if your not me; it would take me an hour to walk, but I have a car. You can swim, no dogs, and no mechanical toys, so kayaks, kites, and yachts are ok. It's our local irrigation lake, it's not so small.
Puketi Forest, is another must. It's is a ten minute walk from the carpark to see a nest of ancient Kauri trees. Also Rainbow Falls down Waipapa Road, Haruru Falls, and of course the wonderful Mataurui Bay beaches, and of course of coure, Cape Reinga, and then there is the Caves at Waiomio, five minutes south of Kawakawa, glow worm caves that is
Lake Manuwai
A local lake that you can jog to, if your not me; it would take me an hour to walk, but I have a car. You can swim, no dogs, and no mechanical toys, so kayaks, kites, and yachts are ok. It's our local irrigation lake, it's not so small.
Puketi Forest, is another must. It's is a ten minute walk from the carpark to see a nest of ancient Kauri trees. Also Rainbow Falls down Waipapa Road, Haruru Falls, and of course the wonderful Mataurui Bay beaches, and of course of coure, Cape Reinga, and then there is the Caves at Waiomio, five minutes south of Kawakawa, glow worm caves that is
Tauranga Bay Road
Magic, few people, best swimming local beach.
Tapotupotu Beach
Best of all things, camping ground and just perfect prestine beach.
Giant Sand Dunes
47 Te Paki Stream RdGiant pyramid sand dune, take your time, and bring water
Shopping
At the Pack house they have a market on both Saturday and Sunday, with different vendors. At the Post office car park they have a farmers market every Sunday. We offer two large national supermarket chains, you will need to bring your own bags, we do not offer plastic single use grocery bags any more in New Zealand. I have some available above the fridge. If not ring me and I will drop some off. As usual, shop early or late (Open at 7.30ish - close before 10pm)
Doctors: if you have a medical emergency like a stroke, say it's a heart attack, get a helicopter or an ambulance, do not take any chances. Say it happened whilst gardening, and you had a fall and hit your head. An impact fall.
20 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Kerikeri
At the Pack house they have a market on both Saturday and Sunday, with different vendors. At the Post office car park they have a farmers market every Sunday. We offer two large national supermarket chains, you will need to bring your own bags, we do not offer plastic single use grocery bags any more in New Zealand. I have some available above the fridge. If not ring me and I will drop some off. As usual, shop early or late (Open at 7.30ish - close before 10pm)
Doctors: if you have a medical emergency like a stroke, say it's a heart attack, get a helicopter or an ambulance, do not take any chances. Say it happened whilst gardening, and you had a fall and hit your head. An impact fall.
Getting Around
Car rentals are available, or I can fetch you from a bus stop in either Kerikeri or Paihia and drop you at one of the car rental places. There is also a rental car place in Opua for the Yachties. We do not have many taxis, and they are outrageous and we do not have Uber, and we do not have public transport. I charge $1per KM. No additional hourly rate, and I have a clean drivers licence, but am not registered to drive the public, but as guests that's a no brainer. I am also happy to be a sober driver for you and your people. All at your own liability.
Bay of Islands Airport
218 Wiroa RdCar rentals are available, or I can fetch you from a bus stop in either Kerikeri or Paihia and drop you at one of the car rental places. There is also a rental car place in Opua for the Yachties. We do not have many taxis, and they are outrageous and we do not have Uber, and we do not have public transport. I charge $1per KM. No additional hourly rate, and I have a clean drivers licence, but am not registered to drive the public, but as guests that's a no brainer. I am also happy to be a sober driver for you and your people. All at your own liability.