Ferry from Russell to Paihia, where your walk starts 700m from the centre of Paihia. This is a pleasant walk that is 4km return (2km each way) through regenerating native forest to a viewpoint overlooking the bay. From the viewpoint you can see the Bay from Opua to Waitangi and over the Russell peninsula to Urupukapuka Island and Cape Brett in the distance. Meander back down to Charlottes Kitchen which is situated on the end of the Paihia Wharf for one of their superb lunches. The perfect way to finish the Bay of Islands Walking Weekend.

Sunday 20th Oct, 10.30am

Cost – Adult $40, Child $30 (includes lunch and ferry)
Grade Medium
Maximum walkers – 20
Category – Family friendly – Children 10 years plus

All walks depart from the Russell Bowling Club in Russell. There are many walks to book on – so look at all the walks you can do over the 3 days. The walks are all guided and the guides are knowledgeable and passionate about the region.

Visit our website to see all the walks you can do.

For more on accommodation and what is on in the region – speak to Colette from Russell Information Centre: 0800 633 255 or (09) 403 8020 (Russell Office).

The post Paihia Lookout & Sunday Lunch – Walk 17 appeared first on The Weekend.

Moturua Island Captain Cook Connection – Walk 7

Sailing out to the islands in a roomy comfortable yacht, experience the peacefulness of arriving at Cook’s landing places just how he did – with the wind in his sails and no noisy engines or petrol fumes! A perfect way to travel to your walks in the Bay of Islands.

As you set sail there is more talking than walking before you disembark to visit the site of early interaction between Maori and Europeans. Before heading back on board to Moturua Island, where
you walk the ultimate island loop track. Crossing ridges, the track descends to four very different beaches, ranging from soft sand to pebble and stone. As you explore the islands your guide will regal you with stories of the rich history at each of the bays. Moturua Island has brought the birdsong back to life and you can often see kiwi footprints on the sand as you walk.

This day trip is truly entertaining with its stories and majestic in its beauty. A full day with some of the best the Bay has to offer.

Saturday 19th October, 7.30am
Sunday 20th October, 7.30 am

Duration 8 hours – sailing and walking
Distance – 5 km walking
Grade – Medium
Cost – Adult $75, child $50
Category – Family friendly – Children 10 years plus
Maximum Walkers: 16

All walks depart from the Russell Bowling Club in Russell. There are many walks to book on – so look at all the walks you can do over the 3 days. The walks are all guided and the guides are knowledgeable and passionate about the region.

Visit our website to see all the walks you can do.
For more on accommodation and what is on in the region – speak to Colette from Russell Information Centre: 0800 633 255 or (09) 403 8020 (Russell Office).

The post Moturua Island Captain Cook Connection – Walk 7 appeared first on The Weekend.

Te Araroa – New Zealand’s Long Trail passes through the Bay of Islands. This walk extends from Cape Reinga to Bluff. One of the walks of Te Araroa is called “Russell Forest Track” and is one of the highlights of Te Araroa. Expect to get wet boots on this track, as 4km of the track is in the beautiful Papakauri Stream, where you will be boulder-hopping or simply wading through reflective pools overhung with young totara.

It’ll take longer than you think, and at this time of the year the water could be cold, so wear appropriate clothing and bring a change of clothes for when we are out of the water. Roughly 4 km is in water and 6 km out of it! Poles are a good idea too! (Please note: organisers reserve the right to take you on another walk should the weather not be appropriate as this walk should not be attempted during or after heavy rain!)

Saturday 19th October
Start 8.00am
Duration walking 5 to 6 hours
Plus 30 minute bus ride to the start and 45 mins back to HQ
Distance 10km
Cost Adult $40.00, Child $25 (includes transport)
Grade Medium
Maximum walkers 16
Category – Family friendly – Children 10 years plus

All walks depart from the Russell Bowling Club in Russell. There are many walks to book on – so look at all the walks you can do over the 3 days. The walks are all guided and the guides are knowledgeable and passionate about the region.

Visit our website to see all the walks you can do.
For more on accommodation and what is on in the region – speak to Colette from Russell Information Centre: 0800 633 255 or (09) 403 8020 (Russell Office).

The post Te Araroa Taster – Walk 10 appeared first on The Weekend.

Catch a ferry from Russell to Waitangi. To make the most of high tide and kayaking through the mangrove forest you will kayak up the Waitangi River – the kayak is a relaxing paddle up the sheltered waters of the historic Waitangi River, experience the amazing unique horseshoe-shaped Haruru waterfall with a chance of exploring the fascinating mangrove forest. Your guides will share with you fauna, flora, local history and Maori legends while being your personal photographers. Walking back from the falls you follow the Waitangi inlet, with impressive views peeking out through native bush, walk across bridges and the boardwalk through our beautiful mangrove forest. The ferry will take you back to Russell from Waitangi.

No experience required, suitable for all.

Saturday 13th Oct, 9.30am
Arrive back in Russell at 3.45pm.

Duration – There is approximately 2 hours of kayaking and 2 hours of walk, the extra time is 30mins each way on the ferry and a break to have lunch.
Grade – Easy to Medium.
Category: Family Friendly.
Max. Walkers: 20.
Cost: $70 (includes ferry and kayak)

All walks depart from the Russell Bowling Club in Russell. There are many walks to book on – so look at all the walks you can do over the 3 days. The walks are all guided and the guides are knowledgeable and passionate about the region.

Visit our website to see all the walks you can do.
For more on accommodation and what is on in the region – speak to Colette – Russell Information Centre – 0800 633 255 or (09) 403 8020 (Russell Office).

The post Haruru Falls Kayak and Walk – Walk 12 appeared first on The Weekend.

Opua Forest Traverse – Walk 11B

Another walk that was new last year and got rave reviews!

Leave Russell and catch the ferry to Paihia where you will be met by Stella from Papatūānuku Earth Mother Tours, she will take you on an informative, educational short walk through a native Kauri forest in the Opua State Forest where you will learn how traditional Maori once used the forest to live and support their growing families. She will share her knowledge of the birds the trees and the insects and show you how her ancestors used the different plants and trees to make their clothing, medicines, musical instruments and many other things.

She will also show you how things are very different now and how once the forest was trapped to sustain life and now how it needs to be trapped to save the creatures in it.

Stella will drop you with Brad from Bay Bush Action who will take you on the Oromahoe Traverse, a medium to hard walk, a unique opportunity to walk this ancient trail used by Māori for hundreds of years, that runs right through the heart of the stunning Opua State Forest. Learn about the community’s mammoth effort in taking out over 11,000 pests and the explosion of native wildlife that followed, particularly the magnificent Northern Green geckos, kiwi, wood pigeons, tomtits, owls, and so much more.

At the end of the walk Stella will meet you and you can all relax and enjoy some homemade Maori fry bread with local honey and herbal tea. Stella will drop back at the Bay Belle ferry for your return to Russell!

Saturday 19th October
Start time 08:30am
Return HQ 2.45pm
Duration – walking time – 5hrs
Grade – Fairly hard
Cost: Adult $50, Child $30 (includes transport, ferry and bush snacks and herbal teas)
Maximum walkers – 11
Meet at the Russell Bowling Club
Category – Family friendly – Children 10 years plus

All walks depart from the Russell Bowling Club in Russell. There are many walks to book on – so look at all the walks you can do over the 3 days. The walks are all guided, and the guides are knowledgeable and passionate about the region.

Visit our website to see all the walks you can do.
For more on accommodation and what is on in the region – speak to Collette – Russell Information Centre – 0800 633 255 or (09) 403 8020 (Russell Office).

The post Opua Forest Traverse 11B appeared first on The Weekend.

Pukehuia Magic and Whangamumu Whaling Walk – Walk 8

(includes making your own Kawakawa balm!)

This spectacular walk is one of heart stopping vistas and rich history.

From Russell you take a fourty minute bus ride out to Rawhiti which is the start of your walk.

Before we start walking though we will start with a bit of magic. You’ll participate in some local activities like making your own magical potion from the therapeutic kawakawa leaf and magical flowers that last forever! That’s the easy part!

Then it’s a climb up Pukehuia. Don’t be put off by the “hard” rating, it’s well worth it, and only hard because of a few hills – but no steps!! Pukehuia is a significant maunga or mountain, on the landscape of the southern arm of the Bay of islands, Ipipiri. The first hour is spent ascending through native bush to the high point with frequent stops for rests and photographs. The stop at the top is an opportunity to bunch the group up again and fill the water bottles – perfect for that ultimate photo of the Bay of Islands!

The hard yards complete the rest of the walk journeys down a south facing ridge with a young kauri grove mingled with mature podocarp and broadleaf forming the canopy. Witness the recovery from pest control efforts, enjoy views of distant Mimiwhangata and the horizontal Poor Knights.

You join up with the Whangamumu track which takes you to the Whangamumu Whaling Station which was the only one in the world that caught whales with nets, and it was Northland’s longest running and most successful station. Today the physical remains at Whangamumu represent the last factory based whaling station in Northland. The remaining historic structures include vats or tanks that held whale oil, the slipway on the beach front, and the old boiler. It’s an eerie and intriguing place to visit.

You have the option to descend to the relics of the whaling station or spend time above the harbour enjoying the views before turning your back to the ocean and descending down the old farm track to Tangatapu Wetland, a local restoration project of replanting. Always keeping an eye out for the elusive fern bird – often heard but not seen!

Saturday 19th October 7.30 am
Duration 8 hours
Distance 8 km
Grade hard
Cost Adult $40, Child $25 (includes transport, and activities)
Maximum walkers 20
Category – Family friendly – Children 10 years plus

All walks depart from the Russell Bowling Club in Russell. There are many walks to book on – so look at all the walks you can do over the 3 days. The walks are all guided and the guides are knowledgeable and passionate about the region.

Visit our website to see all the walks you can do.
For more on accommodation and what is on in the region – speak to Colette from Russell Information Centre: 0800 633 255 or (09) 403 8020 (Russell Office).

The post Pukehuia Magic and Whangamumu Whaling Walk appeared first on The Weekend.

Leaving Russell you head towards Okiato, which is the site of New Zealand’s first capital. Walking along the stunning mangrove boardwalks and then into the bush where the terrain is more challenging before settling onto more coastal boardwalks before catching the car ferry in Okiato for a 5 minute ferry ride to Opua. Plenty of birdsong on this section of the walk, and do keep an eye out for Weka. The picturesque walk from Opua to Paihia takes you around many points, beaches and bays with the matching changes of flora and fauna all the way to Opua. Catching the Bay Belle passenger ferry from Paihia back to Russell.

It’s a great sense of accomplishment having completed the full circle that many think you can only circumnavigate either by car or ferry!

Sat 19th October 8:30 am

Duration – 6 Hours
Distance – 17 kms
Cost – Adult $35, Child $15 (includes both ferries)
Grade – hard
Maximum walkers – 20
Category – Family friendly – Children 10 years plus

Please note: The Okiato to Orongo Bay walk and Omata Estate walk are both part of this walk.

All walks depart from the Russell Bowling Club in Russell. There are many walks to book on – so look at all the walks you can do over the 3 days. The walks are all guided and the guides are knowledgeable and passionate about the region.

Visit our website to see all the walks you can do.
For more on accommodation and what is on in the region – speak to Collette – Russell Information Centre – 0800 633 255 or (09) 403 8020 (Russell Office).

The post Full Circle Walk – Russell to Russell via Paihia – Walk 2 appeared first on The Weekend.

A walk and talk led by the incredibly interesting Lindsay Alexander around Russell. Lindsay will captivate you and take you back in time – you can see the ships in the bay, hear the shouts of the men and almost smell the bustling streets. Included is a stop at Christ Church to learn about some of the characters buried there and a visit to Russell’s museum which houses a refurbished whaling boat. Lindsay has been researching the Bay of Islands’ whaling history for six years and has published books on the subject.

Sat 19th October 11:30 am
Sun 20th October 11:30 am

Duration – 1 hour
Distance 2km
Cost Adult $10, Child $5
GRADE: easy
Category: Family Friendly – all ages
Mobility scooter/wheelchair friendly
Maximum walkers – 20

All walks depart from the Russell Bowling Club in Russell. There are many walks to book on – so look at all the walks you can do over the 3 days. The walks are all guided and the guides are knowledgeable and passionate about the region.

Visit our website to see all the walks you can do.
For more on accommodation and what is on in the region – speak to Collette – Russell Information Centre – 0800 633 255 or (09) 403 8020 (Russell Office).

The post The Whalers Walk – Walk 16 appeared first on The Weekend.

Urupukapuka Island – Walk 6

The locals favourite!

This year you have the choice of the long island loop or a shorter walk.

Urupukapuka Island is the largest island in the Bay of Islands and is a slice of paradise well worth exploring. As well as boasting some of the most spectacular panoramic views imaginable and gorgeous beaches with crystal clear water there are dozens of pristinely preserved archaeological sites on the island, some of which may be up to 1000 years old. From prehistoric Māori pā, villages, gardens, and food storage, right up to early 20th Century buildings used by famous author Zane Grey, there are countless historic sites to explore on Urupukapuka Island.

You will travel by commercial launch to Urupukapuka Island, getting a feel for the Bay of Islands as you venture into the inner islands where you will disembark at the stunning Otehei Bay. The full walk is 11km on very well maintained trails and there is plenty to see. (For those who don’t like steps a shorter version will be available if the group decides to split in two.) You will hike through forest which holds treasures of Project Island Song such as the North Island robin and saddleback, which are the jewels amongst the abundant tui and fantail population. From sheltered bays, ancient pa, a wildlife hide and created wetland, climb through regenerating Manuka forest to scintillating views along the impressive seaward coastline. Looping around the island with one view to Zane Grey’s campsite and the other out to the waters he fished, before catching your vessel back to Russell.

Sat 19th October 8:00 am
Sun 20th October 8:00 am

Duration – 5 hours walking
30 minutes each way boat travel.
Distance 11 kms
Please note – For those who don’t like steps a shorter version will be available if the group decides to split in two, we will have extra guides to allow this to happen, and you can still experience the panoramic views and all the island has to offer.

Cost Adult $60.00, Child $30 (includes boat transfers)
Grade: Hard for the long walk, medium for the shorter
Category – Family friendly – Children 10 years plus
Maximum walkers – 20

All walks depart from the Russell Bowling Club in Russell. There are many walks to book on – so look at all the walks you can do over the 3 days. The walks are all guided and the guides are knowledgeable and passionate about the region.

Visit our website to see all the walks you can do.
For more on accommodation and what is on in the region – speak to Colette from Russell Information Centre: 0800 633 255 or (09) 403 8020 (Russell Office).

The post Urupukapuka Island – Walk 6 appeared first on The Weekend.

“Meet the locals!” Sunrise breakfast and walk – Walk 4

An early start to the day to meet the locals. Have breakfast together to watch the sun rising over the Cape Brett Peninsula before embarking on a mystery tour of Tapeka and Russell. On the way you’ll meet some interesting characters, have some beautiful views and get to places you can only get to via the Bay of Islands Walking Weekend.

Saturday 19th October, 6.15am leave the bowling club – sharp! We don’t want to miss the sunrise.
Sunday 20th October, 6.15 leave the bowling club – sharp!

Duration – 5 Hours
Distance 5 kms
Cost – Adult $25, Child $15 (includes breakfast)
Grade – medium
Maximum walkers – 12
Category – Family friendly – Children 10 years plus

All walks depart from the Russell Bowling Club in Russell. There are many walks to book on – so look at all the walks you can do over the 3 days. The walks are all guided, and the guides are knowledgeable and passionate about the region.

Visit our website to see all the walks you can do.
For more on accommodation and what is on in the region – speak to Colette – Russell Information Centre – 0800 633 255 or (09) 403 8020 (Russell Office).

The post Meet the Locals! Sunrise Breakfast and Walk – Walk 4 appeared first on The Weekend.