Getting Around Northland

Paihia and Russell are the main towns in the Bay of Islands area. They are connected by road (a long and scenic but dangerous drive), a car ferry between Opua (6 km south of Paihia) and Okiato (12 km south of Russell).

Most visitors will use the passenger ferry across the bay between the two cities. There are three companies operating these ferries and they run more or less every twenty minutes till 10 pm. It takes about ten minutes to cross from Paihia to Russell.
A ferry crossing cost NZD 5,- one way. I would recommend to buy one way tickets, so you are free to go back with each company.

At Rawene you catch a ferry across the Hokianga Harbour to the town of Kohukohu. This saves a lot of time driving around the bay on the long route. The ferry leavesfrom 7.30am, so you want to check the ferry times before you arrive.

(This is a forum reply to the question - How long does it take to get from Auckland to Whangarei?)

You are asking me to think back about ten years here but I remember it taking about 1.5hours to Waipu from Auckland and then another 45 mins or so from Waipu to Whangarei. Probably between 2 and 2.5 hours.

I just checked on the AA NZ Driving website and they said 2hrs 20min and it is about 160km. I guess this might alter slightly depending on where in Auckland you are.

Great area of the world to spend some time. Have a good trip.

Tour buses to Cape Reinga operate from Kaitaia, Ahipara, Mangonui and Paihia. As it is rather far from Paihia and you spend a lot of time aboard, I recommend the tours from Kaitaia and Ahipara.

One leg of the tour is always directly on Ninety Mile Beach. Which one, up north or back south, depends on the tides.

Most tours include tobogganing on the huge sand dunes.

From Kaitaia:

Harrisons's Cape Runner
Ph. (09) 408 1033, Freephone (0800) 227 373
www.ahipara.co.nz/caperunner

Sand Safaris
Ph. (09) 408 1778, Freephone (0800) 869 090
www.sandsafaris.co.nz

White Sand Safaris
Ph. (09) 863 5039

Tall Tale Travel'n'Tours
Ph. (09) 408 0870

From Ahipara:

Wildcat
Ph. (09) 409 2055

White Sand Safaris
see above

Outback Adventures (max. 5 people, 4WD, off the beaten path)
Ph. (09) 408 0927
www.farnorthtours.co.nz

From Paihia:

Kings Dolphin Cruises & Tours
Ph. (09) 402 8288
Email: info@dolphincruises.co.nz
www.dolphincruises.co.nz

Fuller's
Ph. (09) 402 7421

Awesome Adventures
Ph. (09) 402 6985

Northern Exposure Tours
Ph. (09) 402 8644, Freephone (0800) 573 875

44 Dune Rider (flexible tours on demand)
Ph. (09) 402 8681
www.dunerider.co.nz

From Mangonui:

Paradise Connexion Tours
Ph. (09) 406 0460, Freephone (0800) 494 392
Email: connexion@xtra.co.nz

The 'Twin Coast Discovery' route is a convenient loop around Northland from Auckland. You can follow a route that takes you to some of the top highlights in the region. Remember that New Zealand's state highways are really only ordinary roads by international standards. There are only dual carriageways in some cities. On state highway 12, which comes down the west coast of Northland, there are no passing lanes and many bridges are only one-way. Despite that, this is an enjoyable and scenic road.
Consult an AA road map, I-site office, or Wises road map, when in NZ to find out more about the 'Twin Coast Discovery Route'.

It is possible to drive round to the historic town of Russell, but if you are in Paihia save yourself the hassle and take the short relaxing ferry ride over. It's not expensive either.
The ferry is passenger service only, but there is a car ferry not far down the road.

Although you can get around Northland by bus, if time is limited and you need flexibility, then it is best to hire a car.
We hired our old banger in Auckland, for 2 weeks and is was quite reasonable.
There are loads of hire places in Auckland. Flyers can be picked up at the airport, or look in the local papers for car hire firms.