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If New Zealand were the solar system, the Bay of Islands would be the sun. It’s warm, it’s mesmerising and impossible not to orbit around. Tucked at the top of the North Island, 3 to 3.5 hours north of Auckland, this collection of 144 islands, pristine beaches and rich Maori history is one of those rare places that genuinely exceeds the hype. Every. Single. Time.
At Spaceships Rentals, we’ve had endless Space Travellers adventure into this corner of Aotearoa and nobody is ever disappointed. So strap in, because we’re about to give you your full mission briefing - what to do, when to go, where to eat and everything in between.
Jump to:
- Where to stay in Bay of Islands
- Best things to do in Bay of Islands
- Day trips from the Bay of Islands
Robertson Island in Bay of Islands | photo: Andrea Lai (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to the Bay of Islands
The most popular launchpad is Auckland. Pick up your Spaceships campervan there, point it north on State Highway 1, and enjoy every single kilometre of the 245km journey. The drive itself is already part of the fun with the classic rolling green hills of New Zealand, glimpses of the coastline, small local towns, and that slow, satisfying feeling of the city falling away behind you.
There is an option to fly directly into Kerikeri Airport, which has daily connections from Auckland if you're short on time. But in our completely unbiased opinion: having your own bed, kitchen and home on wheels is what properly unlocks the Bay of Islands. Discover secluded beaches down gravel roads, roadside farm stores selling the best goodies and endless sunrise or sunset spots that would be hard to reach if you were car-less. Travelling the Bay of Islands in a Spaceship will elevate your experience tenfold.
Time to get cosy in your Spaceships campervan
What is the Bay of Islands?
To put it simply, coastal paradise. The Bay of Islands is exactly what the name suggests - 144 islands scattered across a sparkling subtropical harbour, ranging from small rocky outcrops to larger forested islands. The water is amazingly blue and in many places, crystal clear. The headlands are covered in native bush with wildlife and bird song filling the air and the coastlines are so beautiful it actually looks like someone turned the saturation up.
Located in the Northland region at the top of New Zealand’s North Island, the Bay of Islands climate is warmer than most of the country. It’s earned the nickname “winterless north” and for good reason, with long golden summers and mild winters year after year. Summer (December to February) is unbeatable - warm enough to swim and long daylight hours perfect for endless activities, but the Bay actually rewards visitors year-round. Autumn is still warm and quieter. Winter is crisp and uncrowded. And spring is basically the beginning of summer all over again. There really is no bad time to visit.
Why the Bay of Islands Really Matters to Kiwis
It’s important to acknowledge what makes the Bay of Islands significant to those who call New Zealand home. Yes, it is a beautiful place, but it is also a place of profound cultural and historical importance to all of Aotearoa.
On the 6th of February 1840, on the banks of the Waitangi River, the Treaty of Waitangi - Te Tiriti o Waitangi - was signed between representatives of the British Crown and over 500 Maori rangatira (chiefs). It became the founding document of modern New Zealand and remains at the heart of the country’s national identity, its politics and its ongoing journey toward partnership between Maori and Pakeha.
A visit to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds is one of the most important and genuinely moving experiences you can have in New Zealand. The site includes a beautifully presented museum, the historic Treaty House, the carved wharenui (meeting house) and a stunning waka taua (war canoe). The guided tour through the grounds is the kind of experience that stays with you long after you’ve moved on.
The charming Bay of Islands
Where to Base Your Bay of Islands Adventure
Paihia - I’d confidently say Paihia is the beating heart of the Bay of Islands and the place most travellers call home base. This lively little waterfront town sits right on the harbour and has accommodation options for every budget, from holiday parks perfect for campervans to boutique lodges and backpacker hostels. The jetty at Paihia launches you straight in to the best adventures on the water - dolphin cruises, island ferries, sailing trips and everything in between depart from right here. The main strip has great food, great coffee and that infectious holiday energy you feel right when you arrive.
Russell (Kororareka) - Russell is one of the most enchanting small towns in all of New Zealand and well worth the trip or even a few nights. It holds the title of New Zealand’s first European settlement and is home to a string of the country’s historic “firsts”. The first hotel, first licensed alcohol premises, first church and a whole lot of early colonial chaos. Today, it’s a peaceful waterfront with colourful historic buildings, excellent restaurants and the gentle feel of New Zealand all wrapped into one. Make sure to try out Hone’s Garden for dinner for the most delicious wood-fired pizza. To get to Russell, choose to take the short passenger ferry straight from Paihia, drive 10 minutes south to Opua and hop on the car ferry that runs frequently throughout the day, or drive the full scenic route around the harbour - about a 1-hour drive from Paihia.
Kerikeri - About 30 minutes inland from Paihia, Kerikeri is the Bay of Islands big sister. You’ll find a thriving, colourful town full of cafes, boutiques, artisan food producers and some of the best bakeries in Northland. It’s also home to New Zealand’s oldest surviving building, stunning waterfalls and so many great walking tracks. It’s a little further from the coast but with a special charm of its own, Kerikeri is a great spot to spend time exploring and stocking up your campervan with all the essentials. Grab something tasty from the Kerikeri Bakehouse, and don’t leave without a real fruit ice cream from Keri Berries!
The Bay of Islands is also brilliantly set up for campervan travellers with options ranging from full-facility holiday parks near the water to more remote DOC campsites. The Paihia Holiday Park puts you right amongst all the action, while the Waitangi Reserve campsite sits right on the river and is walking distance from the Treaty Grounds. For something more off-grid, the DOC campsites on Urupukapuka Island, accessible only by ferry, seem like they’ve been plucked straight out of a dream. The Campermate app and DOC website are your best tools for finding and booking spots in real time. For tips and tricks, check out our full range of guides on camping in New Zealand.
A campervan with everything you need - bed, storage, kitchen and more!
Best Things to Do in the Bay of Islands
The Bay of Islands bucket list is a long and very fulfilling one. See dolphins, go sailing and swimming, hiking and eating delicious fresh food. There really is something for every kind of traveller. Here are some ideas to keep the ball rolling.
Activities on the Water
Hole in the Rock Dolphin Cruise - One of the Bay’s most iconic experiences, and for very good reason. Cruise out through the islands to Piercy Island, pass through the dramatic hole carved into the rock and if the dolphins are feeling social (they usually are), swim alongside them in the open sea. How fun!
Sailing adventures - Kick off your shoes, feel the wind, and sail through the islands on a crewed yacht. No experience required, just a willingness to embrace the salty air.
Paddleboards, kayaks and parasailing - Hire a board or kayak from Paihia and explore the coastline at whatever pace suits you. The warm, blue waters in summer can even tempt the most stubborn non-swimmers to jump in. For those who want to leave Earth entirely, parasailing above the Bay offers views so extraordinary with waters every shade of blue you can imagine.
Ferry to Russell - Simple, affordable and the perfect day trip. The short passenger ferry crossing from Paihia to Russell is a micro-adventure in itself. The views of the harbour will make you reach for your camera immediately.
Urupukapuka Island day trip - Jump on a ferry from Paihia or Russell and spend a day on the gorgeous Urupukapuka Island. Swim in clear water, snorkel around the rocky bays, walk the easy trails and sit in the sun with a coffee from the cafe on the beach. One of the very best days the Bay of Islands has to offer.
Things to do on Land
Mountain biking - There are some brilliant trails around the Paihia area for the two-wheeled explorers. Pick up a hire bike and head into the hills above the bay for a proper workout with stellar views as your reward.
The Old Packhouse Market - Fresh produce, artisan food, live music and that warm, local community feel. Perfect for stocking up the Spaceships campervan kitchen with something better than supermarket food. Open every Friday night for street food, Saturday mornings for fresh food and produce, and Sunday mornings for eclectic second-hand goods.
Sunset at Tapeka Point - Not a long walk (just 1km) and one of the best spots in the entire bay to end the day. Find a comfy rock, open something cold and don’t move until the sky has been painted with layers of yellows, oranges and pinks.
The peaceful scenery in the Bay of Islands
Best Beaches in the Bay of Islands
The Bay of Islands and its surrounds are dizzyingly well-stocked with beautiful beaches, and choosing between them is basically the best problem you could ever have.
Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island is calm and utterly peaceful. As it’s only accessible by ferry, it stays blissfully uncrowded compared to others in the Bay. Oke Bay is tranquil and always relaxing, tucked into a sheltered corner of the harbour perfect for paddleboarding or snorkelling. Long Beach near Russell is perfect for a morning walk and Te Ti Beach is right on your doorstep if you're based in Paihia.
Venture a little further and the beaches are just as impressive. Matauri Bay is dramatic and deeply beautiful, carrying a special significance as the resting place of the Rainbow Warrior. Cable Bay is easy to reach and always lovely, while Taupo Bay draws surfers and those after a wilder, more remote feel. On your journey back south, Langs Beach and Mangawhai Heads are both broad, blissful and the perfect spots for a nights stay before heading back to Auckland or beyond.
Jump for joy! So many amazing beaches to explore
Hiking in the Bay of Islands
Strap on your boots! The Bay of Islands trails are ready to be explored. From short walks to multi-day adventures with lighthouse views, the hiking here is some of the best in the north of New Zealand. Here are some trails worth making time for:
- Cape Brett Track: A multi-day classic and one of the great walks of Northland. This 16km one way overnight trail winds along ridgelines of native bush high above the bay. The historic lighthouse at the end is your reward. Book hut spaces in advance. Choose to walk back or book a ferry ride from Deep Water Cove.
- Duke’s Nose Track (Kaiaraara Rocks): A brilliant half-day hike that rewards the effort with panoramic views often dubbed the “Ha Long Bay of New Zealand” with its dramatic rocky peak. Take the 11km walk via the Wairakau Stream Track or water taxi from Whangaroa to Lane Cove Hut and do the shorter, roughly 500m walk up to the final viewpoint.
- Whangamumu Track: A fascinating 4.2km one way trail that winds down to the crumbling ruins of New Zealand’s last shore-based whaling station, hidden in a remote harbour.
- Rainbow Falls Track: An easy 400m walk to a gorgeous 27m waterfall cascading into a deep green pool. Fully surrounded by native bush, Rainbow Falls is one of those places that looks better in real life than in the photos.
Discover the far north of New Zealand | Photo by Tobias Rademacher
Bay of Islands and Beyond: The Best Day Trips
Since you're in a Spaceships camper. You’re not bound to the Bay of Islands! Keep going and explore all the far north has to offer.
Karikari Peninsula
About an hour north of Kerikeri, this remote and gloriously unspoiled peninsula is home to some of the most beautiful beaches like Maitai Bay, Puwheke Beach and Karikari Beach. The roads are quiet, and the landscape is wild and open. It’s about as ‘New Zealand’ as New Zealand can get.
Cape Reinga
Cape Reinga, Te Rerenga Wairua in Te Reo Maori, sits at the very northern tip of New Zealand and is where the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet in a visible churning line of currents just offshore. Stand by the lighthouse, get a picture under the signpost and take in the views all around. In Maori tradition, Cape Reinga is the place where wairua (spirits) of the deceased leap from the roots of an ancient pohutukawa tree and begin their journey back to Hawaiki, the spiritual homeland. Make a day of it, put on a good playlist, and let your Spaceship carry you all the way to the edge of the world.
Plan the best New Zealand road trip!
Ready for Lift-Off?
The Bay of Islands is a place that evokes a special kind of happiness in all those who visit. The kind where you have the freedom to explore a beautiful place with no urgency, heading wherever the day takes you. So grab your Spaceship and explore in your own time. Pull over at the viewpoints, sleep where the stars look best, swim whenever your heart desires and see for yourself why Northland truly deserves a visit.