How to Get to Russell

The coastal town of Russell is located on a small peninsula across the harbour from Paihia.

If you are staying in Paihia and would like to come to Russell for a day, you can take one of three passenger ferries operating between Paihia and Russell directly.

To get to Russell by car, the easiest and shortest way would be using the vehicle ferry, which operates between Opua and Okiato. About 45 minutes north of Whangarei (State Highway 1) at Kawakawa, you turn to State Highway 11 towards Opua, Paihia. When you reach Opua, at the top of the hill you make a right turn and head down to the vehicle ferry starting point. From Paihia it is approximately a 7 minutes’ drive to Opua where you then take a left turn at the top of the hill. The ferry crossing will take about 10minutes to Okiato and from there it will be another 10min drive to get to Russell.

For a longer and more scenic journey to Russell, coming from the south, you can also take the Old Russell Road: about 20 minutes north of Whangarei you turn right towards Whakapara. Follow the signs for Oakura, and a long winding but fully sealed coastal road will take you all the way to Russell. Please take your time taking this route, there are plenty of beautiful beaches and places to stop for a break.

The nearest airport is the Bay of Islands Airport located in Kerikeri, approximately a 30 minutes’ drive to Paihia.

PASSENGER FERRY

Operates between Paihia and Russell

There are up to 3 passenger ferries running between Paihia and Russell, depending on the time of year.

For information on schedules, fares, and services, please contact the passenger ferry operators directly.

The Happy Ferry

0800 334 6637 - ferryconcepts@gmail.com

Northland Ferries

0800 222 979 - bayofislands@northlandferries.co.nz

The Blue Ferry

021 115 1142 - theblueferry@outlook.com

VEHICLE FERRY

Operates between Opua and Okiato

The vehicle ferry service operates as a shuttle, departing approximately every 10 minutes during the day and every 20 minutes early morning and late evening. Opua is about 7 minutes’ drive from Paihia, Okiato is about a 15 minutes’ drive from Russell.

For information on schedules, fares, and services, please contact the vehicle ferry operator directly.

Northland Ferries

0800 222 979 - bayofislands@northlandferries.co.nz