The Top Places to Visit Near Paihia
On the shores looking out to the glistening waters of the Bay of Islands, Paihia is a must-visit when exploring New Zealand’s Northland region. The coastal town also provides the perfect base for day trips to Northland’s highlights, including historic Russell, the wine region of Kerikeri, the top of the North Island at Cape Reinga, and some of the bay’s 144 islands. So plan your exploration of Northland and the Bay of Islands with this guide to the best day trips from Paihia.
Don’t forget to check out The Complete Guide to the Bay of Islands for more trip-planning advice.
5 Best Day Tours from Paihia
Before we dive into the self-drive day trips from Paihia, here are some day tours from Paihia which are ideal if you don’t have your own vehicle.
Guided Day Tours from Paihia
- Sailing including Barbecue Lunch with R. Tucker Thompson
- Cape Reinga & 90 Mile Beach Tour with Fullers GreatSights
- Bay of Islands Discovery Tour with the Explore Group
- Bay of Islands and Glowworm Caves Tour with Bay of Islands Tours
- Winery and brewery tour with Mullarkeys Tours.
© NZPocketGuide.comCape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach
The Best Day Trip from Paihia for Luxury Travellers
Travel time by car: 3 hours one-way
Relevant tour: Cape Reinga & 90 Mile Beach Tour with Fullers GreatSights (more info on Viator and Klook).
One of the most popular day tours from Paihia and the Bay of Islands is the trip to the top of the North Island. Highlights on the journey include Kerikeri, the Puketi Kauri Forest, Doubtless Bay and the Cape Reinga Lighthouse. Rental car agreements are unlikely to allow you to drive down Ninety Mile Beach, but bus tours can take you on the sandy highway with sandboarding included.
For more activity recommendations, check out the 10 Best Things to Do at Cape Reinga.
© NZPocketGuide.comUrupukapuka Island
The Best Day Trip for Paihia for Budget Travellers
Travel time by boat: 40 minutes one way
Relevant tour: Urupukapuka Island Ferry with Explore Group.
Spend the day on one of the glorious islands of the bay by taking the ferry to Urupukapuka Island. There’s something for just about everyone here, with safe swimming beaches, bird watching, kayak hire, a restaurant and a myriad of hiking trails. Ferries depart from Paihia Wharf with the Explore Group.
Learn more about the walks on Urupukapuka Island on the Department of Conservation website.
© NZPocketGuide.comKerikeri
The Best Day Trip from Paihia for Foodies
Travel time by car: 25 minutes one way
Relevant tour: Bay of Islands Private Half-Day Tour with Kernhem Group.
The largest town in the Bay of Islands, Kerikeri is well worth spending the day exploring. What’s more, it’s just a short drive from Paihia. Visit its various wineries (see the list in The Food Guide to the Bay of Islands), check out the historic Stone Store and surrounding pā sites (historic Māori settlements), admire Rainbow Falls and much more!
For more ideas on what to do, take a look at the 15 Best Things to Do in Kerikeri.
© David Kirkland - Northland IncRussell
The Best Day Trip from Paihia for Families
Travel time by passenger ferry: 15 minutes one way
Travel time by car + ferry: 30 minutes one way
Travel time by car: 1 hr 10 mins one way
Cruise on over to Russell on a quick journey from Paihia via the passenger ferry or take the car for a road trip to New Zealand’s first capital. Check out the historical sites by taking a tour with Russell Mini Tours or walk up to Flagstaff Hill for excellent views and more history. The little settlement also has beaches, quaint cafes and ice cream parlours.
Check out the 10 Things to Do in Russell for more ways to experience this day trip from Paihia.
© David Kirkland - Northland IncWhangarei
The Best Day Trip from Paihia for Couples
Travel time by car: 1 hour one way.
Journey to the main hub of the Northland region, Whangarei, awash with its own attractions including AH Reed Kauri Park, Abbey Caves and Whangarei Falls. Break up your day with a meal along the scenic Town Basin Marina and enjoy some of the quirkier attractions like Claphams National Clock Museum or the Hundertwasser Art Centre with Wairau Maori Art Gallery.
For more inspiration for your day trip, take a look at the 25 Best Things to Do in Whangarei.
More About Paihia Day Trips
That’s it for the best day trips from Paihia. For more day trips, you might like to hit the following destinations:
- 10 Best Things to Do in Kawakawa
- 10 Best Things to Do in Opononi & Omapere
- 10 Best Things to Do in Tutukaka
- 10 Best Things to Do in Kaitaia
- 10 Best Things to Do in Mangonui & Doubtless Bay
Finally, if they weren’t enough, we also have the 40 Best Things to Do in the Bay of Islands to inspire you further.
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Road and transport tips - Updated [2024])
- DriveSafe (Road safety - Updated [2024])
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
- Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2024])
- AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2024])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
- Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
- TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2024])
- NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2024])
- Immigration New Zealand (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2024])
Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
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