Russell, Bay of Islands

With Russell being the small seaside town it is, you might think there wouldn’t be too much to see and do… We like to disagree!

This gorgeous, quirky little town is first of all steeped in history: towering above the town is the iconic Flagstaff Hill, it has its own museum, it is the home to the first church in NZ, the Pompellier Mission and the Duke of Marlborough, the oldest hotel in NZ.

In summer Russell becomes the Monte Carlo of New Zealand, a yachties paradise and a popular getaway for Aucklanders and other visitors. It is a popular destination for people who love to explore walkways, cycleways, enjoy being on the water, in the water, and a place at the center of the Bay of Islands, where people can learn about our beautiful country’s history.

A place to relax, to reconnect with the things you enjoy doing, to spend time with family and friends, eating, drinking, and having fun.

Great memories are made in Russell!

So, if you only have 24 hours and have never visited Russell before, these are some of the things you need to do and see!

24 hours in Russell

Mini Tour

A great way to get a first glimpse of Russell and learn about its amazing history, is joining the Russell Mini Tour. This tour on a comfortable minibus takes about an hour and will give you great insight in the history of Russell, the first capital of NZ, and share some amazing wild stories of Russell’s time as the Hellhole of the Pacific. You will be driven to all the major landmarks in Russell including Flagstaff Hill, the highest point with the most amazing 360-degree view of the Bay of Islands, Tapeka Point and Long Beach.

It is easily the best $35 per adult you can spend ($17.50 for children 5-14 years, or ask us about family passes).

Walk/Bike around town: historical sites and shopping

On return, we suggest you have a wander through town and take your time to revisit some of the places of interest you were shown on your tour. Pompallier House for instance, which was established by the French Missionaries. Or Christ Church, the oldest church in New Zealand, where you can still inspect the musket holes in its walls and visit its graveyard, reading the headstones and understanding the life of our first settlers.

And at the same time you can do some shopping! Russell is home to some beautiful and unique shops: Bay of Islands Trading Company (souvenirs, clothing, art, homeware), Ethos (range of ethical and sustainable products), Caravan (clothing), South Sea Art. And Wood2Water, located in the old petrol station, offers a beautiful range of high quality and local artisanal products. They also rent out electric mountain bikes if you want to cycle around and explore the town and its beaches that way. Even Flagstaff Hill will be ‘easy’ to tackle!

Beach and Lunch

If you are in for some beach time and swimming, Long Beach – the long sandy beach on the other side of the peninsula - is the place to be! Good spot for a picnic too – Carl from the LongBeach Coffee Cart makes some great coffee’s – or get some Fish and Chips in town and take with you to enjoy on the beach. The kids will love it!

Wineries

Russell is also home to 2 amazing wineries: Paroa Bay, which boosts the amazing Sage restaurant and has cellar door sales, and Omata Estate, which is well known for its amazing pizzas, laidback ambience, and beautiful views of the Bay of Islands.

Both wineries offer a shuttle bus (pick up from Russell) or rent one of the above-mentioned electric bikes to get there! Also, Rogue Pony Tours can take you there, with a sightseeing trip included.

Sundowner cruise

Late afternoon is the perfect time for a sundowner cruise. The R. Tucker Thompson is a beautiful tall ship, built in New Zealand, cruising the waters of the Bay (day trips available too) offering a sundowner cruise in the late afternoon (only in summer). A great opportunity to experience sailing on a tall ship and help raising the sails.

Evening, Dinner

Dinner in Russell is a must, whether you are staying in Russell or Paihia. Hone’s Garden is a cozy, stunning outdoor pizza garden restaurant, incredibly popular with people of all ages.

Or, if you are after some very tasty pub style food and Asian inspired tapas, we can recommend the Nauti Penguin, Russell’s newest pub.

Along the waterfront you will find some other wonderful restaurants like the Duke of Marlborough, the Gables Restaurant, Butterfish and Seaside, all offering amazing food. The colorful sunset behind Paihia, with the ferry coming and going at the forefront, is complimentary…

If you are not staying in Russell for the night, just make sure you catch that last ferry back!