Stone Store

New Zealand’s oldest stone building could tell a thousand stories. Built by missionaries in 1832 to store their supplies, it later became a trading post, a library, a barracks, and a school. Today you can explore its interactive historic displays, and browse its shop for a range of authentic colonial goods.  

Kemp House and Gardens

This is New Zealand’s oldest building, and the only house remaining on what was once a thriving missionary settlement. Even its garden is a living timeline: the oldest European garden in the country, it has intact features from every generation that has cultivated it. 

Rewa’s Village

This full-scale reconstruction – named after Ngāpuhi chief Rewa – lets you experience the atmosphere of a Māori village around the 1800s. Authentic features to explore include a marae (meeting house), a chief’s whare (house), a weapons store, a pātaka (food store), a waka tīwai (fishing canoe), a hāngī pit (ground oven), and more.

Rainbow Falls

A stroll through native bush, alive with birdsong, leads you to stunning Rainbow Falls. Jump into the swimming hole, or simply enjoy the magical surroundings. And even here, you’ll find history: the remnants of Kerikeri’s first hydro-station which brought electricity to the town in 1932.

Pompallier Mission and Printery

Take a tour of New Zealand’s earliest surviving printery and tannery, and discover the printing and bookbinding techniques used by French missionaries. The surrounding heritage garden is another treat in store: Painstakingly restored to its Victorian/Edwardian state, it’s now home to many rare native birds and insects.

Wildlife Watching

Visit the Bay of Islands’ resident bottlenose dolphin population, and if you’re lucky, encounter whales too, especially in the winter months. Russell is also a prime spot for observing penguins and seals.

Christ Church – Te Whare Karakia o Kororāreka

Take a walk through the churchyard and see the graves of important and fascinating local figures, including Ngāpuhi chief Tamati Waka Nene. New Zealand’s oldest existing church still holds services every Sunday, and visitors are warmly invited to join them.

Russell Museum

Indoor exhibitions tell Russell’s story in full: its beginnings as a Māori fishing village; its years as a notoriously lawless whaling port; and its development into the tranquil seaside resort you can enjoy today. Outside, stroll the landscaped grounds, and learn about the healing plants in the rongoā (Māori medicine) garden.

Waitangi Treaty Grounds

Explore the place where Māori chiefs first signed this country’s founding document, Te Tiriti of Waitangi.

Also included in a day pass are a dynamic cultural performance and a 50-minute tour with an experienced local guide, providing deeper insights into the fateful historic events which shaped, and continue to shape this nation.

In summer months, a twilight hāngi and concert are on offer.

Museum of Waitangi

At the newly opened museum of Waitangi, inside the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, you’ll experience the story of this – New Zealand’s most significant historic site – through high-quality multi-media exhibitions, and encounter some of the most important taonga (treasures) associated with the region.

Haruru Falls

New Zealand’s first river port is spectacular as well as historic, with roaring waters that tumble in a rare horseshoe shape. Drive there, or follow a walking track from the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, which includes a boardwalk through a mature mangrove forest, teeming with intertidal life.