Chances are while you are at Wharepuke you will want to explore other parts of the Bay of Islands for leisure or gathering knowledge about the area you are working in.
The sub-tropical Bay of Islands are located near the top of New Zealand and are made up of 144 islands. It is a popular tourist destination for New Zealanders and International visitors. It is stunningly beautiful and historically significant part of NZ.
Other than Kerikeri, the Bay of Islands main towns are:
- Paihia ( a 20 min. drive) Tourist town where you get the boats to go out on the water to see the dolphins, go through the “Hole in the Rock”, fishing, diving, sailing, parasailing etc.
- Waitangi (20 min. walk from Paihia) is important as it where the “Treaty of Waitangi” was signed- the founding document of NZ between the Maori and the European . History and cultural performances are shownKawakawa is famous for its Hundtertwasser toilets and Gabriel, its lovingly restored steam train and Glow worm caves
- Russell-(5 min ferry ride from Paihia) A quaint seaside town formerly known as the “Hell hole of the Pacific”
Further afield places of Interest
- Ngwha Hot Springs- natural hot springs known for their medicinal properties
- Puketi Forest- virgin forest with walking tracks
- Matauri Bay- 30 min drive. Stunning beach where the Greenpeace boat the Rainbow Warrior is now sunk as a dive site (Top 10 dive site in the world listed by Lonely Planet!). Chris Booth’s (Tania’s Uncle) Rainbow Warrior memorial sulpture
West Coast – 1 hours drive
- Opononi, Omapere, Rawene, Kohukohu- “NZ” towns around the stunning Hokianga harbour known for dolphin tales, sand dunes, art galleries, alternative lifestyle
- Tane Mahuta-The legendary Kauri tree (specific to Northland). Approx.2000 years old