Walks in the Bay of Islands

There is so much to do in the Bay of Islands – boating, dining, cultural experiences, exploring history, to name just a few – but simply going for stunning walks in the Bay of Islands landscape has got to be one of the best ways to soak up the natural beauty of the place.

Seek out roaring waterfalls along the forested Kerikeri River Track, and check out an historic hydro-electric powerstation along the way. Get your heart rate up with the dizzying heights and stunning views from the epic Cape Brett walkway, breaking it up by staying at the old lighthouse keeper’s house for a night. Explore the coastline of azure waters, mangroves and expansive views with the Bay of Islands coastline walk, which involves a couple of beautiful ferry crossings. Head out to Urupukapuka Island to spot some rare birds in the wild and cool off afterwards with some snorkelling at Otehei Bay. Experience an ancient and rich forest come to life at night when you take a guided walk of Puketi Forest with us at Adventure Puketi, experiencing the night in the presence of bats, nocturnal birds, and strange and wonderful creepy crawlies. For more details on these walks and more, head over to our blog on our top 10 favourite walks in the Bay of Islands.

If you’re bringing the whole family to the Bay of Islands, there’s no shortage of family-friendly walks that are easy on the legs and have features kids will love. The 20-minute walk from Russell to Long Beach rewards you with beautiful golden sands and safe swimming. After a big rain, the short hop skip and jump to Haruru Falls from the Haruru Falls carpark will wow the kids – these small horse-shoe-shaped falls absolutely rumble! The short Manginangina and Opua kauri walks get you up close and personal with magnificent towering kauri, and the Flagstaff Hill track will impress with its 360-degree views, for the stronger little walkers – plus it has great picnic spots. And of course the kids love the strange creatures that come out of the bush on the Puketi Night walks – this is one of the most rewarding tours for us, when we see the excitement on their little faces. There’s also a whole range of other short walks if you’re short on time or have limited fitness. 

The Bay of Islands was made for walking in – once you hit the trails there is many a magical vista and gorgeous bay or forest to discover, whatever your age or walking ability. So step into some suitable shoes, pack some water and snacks, and get out there to discover the Bay of Islands.