Bay of Islands - Get out There!
by f3ze
Paihia is an ok town, average beach, ok bars (try the Becahhouse cafe/bar and if you like a game of pool, the Sandpit right behind it is really good), good takeaways (One Hot Tuna on the waterront by the pier), and ok walks (try going along the coast south, should reach Opua in 2-3 hours, you can get a taxi back from there).
For the 'proper' Bay of Islands experience, make sure you get out into the islands. When you get out there you'll start to feel why the Bay is a popular holiday destination - they are beautiful. Although every tour goes on about the '144 islands' theres basically around 7-10 biggish ones. But they are spaced out enough that you'll likely have an island to yourself for some time at least.
If you can sail I'd recommend renting a boat (Great Escape Yacht Charters in Opua) or a motorboat (Darryls Dinner Cruise in Paihia Wharf - yes they also do a highly recommended evening cruise up the river to Haruru Falls). Alternatively one of the day sailing trips is also recommended (Gungha/She's a Lady for a feel of a 'life at sea' or one of the Sail NZ boats for a less comfy but faster ride.
If your mobility is reduced or you don't feel like doing much (or maybe your time is limited) jump on a fullers or kings cruise, they go to the over-hyped holr in the rock a couple times a day (the trip there is worth it, though the hole is nothing special). For more adrenaline and a faster ride I'd recommend the Mack Attack speed boat.
I spent a few days in the Bay and really enjoyed it. I found a great site for general bay of islands information (things to do and places to stay): bayofislands.net
North to Cape Reinga: Topotupotu Bay
by darthmilmo
After exiting at the other end of the creek, the driver kept on driving north to Topotupotu Bay for a picnic lunch. It was the perfect day for it as well. Some of the bus even venture into the cold sea, but I joined another group. We simply sat in the beach eating our lunch, relaxing, and talking.
Paihia
by iandsmith
Paihia (pronounced pie-heah) is a key town on the Bay of Islands inasmuch as it sits at the eastern base of the bay and is easily accessed by car and tourist coach.
There's plenty of accommodation here at a variety of prices and styles and restaurants to cater for most palates.
It's clearly a town that would like to expand more but is restricted by the contours surrounding it, i.e., it's very hilly. This landscape's shortcomings were clearly on display in 2007 when torrential rain caused an uncountable number of landslides.
Everywhere we drove there was evidence of the fragility of the soil and building blocks around here would have to be very carefully surveyed.
Even when we were there there was minor flooding (pic 3) and many was the road edge that had disappeared in a downward direction on some steep slope.
It wasn't all doom and gloom. On top of a small rise and park which affords the view over the bay I used in the intro shot there were some lovely yellow flowers which were intertwined with a mass of cobwebs.
Bay Of Islands
by littlebush
Paihia is the main town in the Bay Of Islands. Its only a small place, holding around 4000 people, but can double in oeak season. Its not built up at all, and is a great place to just chill out! Theres heaps to do too, from cruises around the islands, to hiring your own boat out, to chillin on the beach, to gettin hammered at night. Within a few hours drive are others interesting sights, like Cape Reinga and 80 mile beach. Paihia is about 4 hours drive from Auckland and enjoys a sub tropical climate all year!
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Small flood
A pot of gold indeed
accom beside car ferry ramp going to Russell
Foliage at a Tropical Forest near town
