Historic places
Just five minutes’ walk from Russell wharf you’ll find New Zealand’s oldest surviving Roman Catholic building, Pompallier. Built in 1841-42, it has been used as a printery, tannery and storehouse for the French Marist mission and is now a working museum.
Another building to admire is Christ Church, the oldest existing church in New Zealand, which still carries musket ball holes from the New Zealand Land Wars.
Another building to admire is Christ Church, the oldest existing church in New Zealand, which still carries musket ball holes from the New Zealand Land Wars.
Wining and dining
Vineyards – Omata Estate is 8km by car and is open for wine tasting and The Omata Kitchen serves gourmet platters and wood-fired pizzas. If you need transport, there is courtesy transport from Russell township or the Okiato car ferry which can be arranged in advance.
From Russell there is a clearly signposted walking track through native bush and a board walk that takes about 2 hours. You can also hire kayaks and come by water. There is a spot to safely tie up and is a 15-minute walk from the water up to the vineyard. Russell Kayaks offer a guided tour and a pickup, so you only have to kayak one way.
From Russell there is a clearly signposted walking track through native bush and a board walk that takes about 2 hours. You can also hire kayaks and come by water. There is a spot to safely tie up and is a 15-minute walk from the water up to the vineyard. Russell Kayaks offer a guided tour and a pickup, so you only have to kayak one way.
Short walks
Flagstaff Hill – Stroll up and look out to incredible views of the Bay of Islands. At low tide, start by walking around the rocks from the northern end of Kororareka Bay to Watering Bay, where a marked track leads through bush to Titore Way. 300 meters along on the right another track leads to the top of Flagstaff Hill (Te Maiki). At high tide just head up Wellington Street and you will come to a marked track about halfway up on your left.
Beaches
Russell to Long Beach is perfect for those who fancy a lovely stroll to an even lovelier, sandy bay. Pack your togs, and book and head over to Long Beach via the Long Beach Walkway. A nice and short scenic track, it takes about 20 minutes leisurely stroll. The quickest route from Russell to Oneroa starts at the northern end of The Strand, walk through Kent Street and follow Long Beach Road to the camping ground. Follow the paved walking track you’ll see to the left
Long walks
Full Circle – Bay of Islands Walkway takes you, as the name would suggest in a full circle. It’s a great walk with water views and also some nice bush cover – not to mention two ferry rides! It’s about a 4.5-hour walk and requires a reasonable level of fitness as there are some reasonable steep bits on the Russell coastline.
Start this walk in Russell and catch a ferry over to Paihia then follow the Paihia to Opua walkway on a well-established track. A scenic 5.5km walk along the coast, through bush and over a mangrove boardwalk. From here, you can catch the car ferry to Okiato and start on the Okiato to Russell walkway which follows the coastline into Russell.
Start this walk in Russell and catch a ferry over to Paihia then follow the Paihia to Opua walkway on a well-established track. A scenic 5.5km walk along the coast, through bush and over a mangrove boardwalk. From here, you can catch the car ferry to Okiato and start on the Okiato to Russell walkway which follows the coastline into Russell.
