Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Ward

District · Northland Region, 🇳🇿 New Zealand

Area 2,065 km²

Time zone Pacific/Auckland

Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Ward – Planning a Trip?

Build your day-by-day itinerary in the Tripomatic app.

Start Planning

Featured Lists

Sids1 / CC BY 2.0

Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Ward Essentials

This collection highlights the colonial and Māori history of the Bay of Islands. It features the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the site of New Zealand's founding document, alongside the nation's oldest surviving buildings in Kerikeri: the 1822 Kemp House and the 1832 Stone Store. Natural landmarks include the ancient kauri trees of Puketi Forest and the horseshoe-shaped Haruru Falls. The list also includes unique architectural sites like the Hundertwasser Toilets in Kawakawa and cultural institutions in Russell and Paihia.

11 places

Top Bay of Islands Attractions

Explore the cradle of New Zealand's modern history at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, featuring the 1840 signing site and the massive Ngātokimatawhaorua ceremonial waka. The region offers diverse natural landscapes, from the columnar basalt formations of Charlie's Rock to the ancient giants of Puketi Kauri Forest. Strategic lookouts like Flagstaff Hill and St. Paul's Rock provide perspectives on the coastline's volcanic geology and significant Māori heritage sites, including the historic Kororipo Pā.

14 places

Gadfium / Public domain

Northland Hidden Gems

This collection highlights the geological diversity of Northland, from the 27-metre basalt drop of Rainbow Falls to the limestone formations of the Waiomio glowworm caves. The list features several cascades along the Kerikeri River Track, including Wharepuke and Te Wairere, alongside the horseshoe-shaped Haruru Falls. These sites showcase the region’s volcanic history and dense native forest, providing access to secluded caves and multi-tiered waterfalls located within the Waitangi and Hokianga districts.

9 places

Winstonwolfe / CC-BY-SA-3.0

Historic Sites & Memorials

Explore the historical landscape of Northland through its strategic Māori pā and significant memorials. This collection includes Ruapekapeka Pā, the site of the final battle in the Northern War, which showcases innovative 19th-century trench warfare. The list features coastal fortifications like Rangihoua and Tapeka, alongside modern sites of remembrance such as the Rainbow Warrior Memorial at Matauri Bay and the Victorian-era Church of St John in Waimate North.

8 places

Coastal Wonders

This collection explores the diverse coastline of Northland, spanning from the central hubs of the Bay of Islands to the rugged Whangaroa Harbour. It includes accessible urban stretches like Paihia and Te Ti Beach alongside secluded sandy coves such as Lizard Bay and Ōpito Bay. The list also features Kairara Rock, or Duke's Nose, a dramatic dacite formation providing panoramic views over the Whangaroa Harbour entrance and surrounding marine landscapes.

15 places

Ronnie Macdonald / CC BY 2.0

Historic Churches

The Bay of Islands contains some of New Zealand’s most significant colonial ecclesiastical architecture. This collection includes ChristChurch in Russell, the nation's oldest surviving church, and St. James in Kerikeri, known for its hilltop position overlooking the historic Stone Store. These sites mark the early 19th-century arrival of Anglican and Uniting missions, featuring a mix of original timber structures and later stone memorials that preserve the history of early European settlement and Māori interaction.

5 places