Three days in the Bay of Islands: Waitangi to Kerikeri
A relaxed loop around the Bay of Islands taking in Kawakawa, Paihia, Russell, boat trips and the Kerikeri River.
- Distance
- 105 km (66 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 09 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 11
- States
- New Zealand
- Updated
- May 11, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 105 km (66 mi) with 11 stops, from Kawakawa to Rainbow Falls, Kerikeri. About 1 h 09 min of driving in total.
More road trips in New Zealand · More road trips from Paihia
Route description
Start in Kawakawa, on SH1 about 15 minutes from Paihia, where the Hundertwasser toilets and the railway in the main street are a quick stop. Then take SH11 east to Paihia, the main base of the bay, with holiday parks, supermarkets and the harbour front where the cruises depart. A stay of two nights suits most travellers, and the holiday parks fill quickly in January, so reserve a pitch early.
Spend the next morning at Waitangi Treaty Grounds, a short drive north of the Paihia centre. A guided tour and a cultural performance add depth to the visit. Haruru Falls is a few minutes further inland by road, and the walkway along the mangroves joins the two sites on foot. Park at the grounds and leave the van there for the day, because the walking links are flat and signposted and there is no need to move it between sights.
A morning cruise to the Hole in the Rock leaves from Paihia and Russell and takes about four hours. The weather decides whether boats pass through the arch, so keep the day flexible. For Russell, take the passenger ferry from Paihia or the car ferry from Ōpua, then walk up Flagstaff Hill for the view. Overnight at Russell, or return to Paihia. Check the car ferry times, because the last crossing is early in winter.
Drive to Kerikeri, about 25 km inland on SH10, and visit the Stone Store and Kemp House at the Basin. A river track leads to Rainbow Falls in about an hour; if you are short of time, drive to the lookout instead. Kerikeri has supermarkets, fuel and cafés, and is a good place to stock up before heading north, since shops thin out quickly beyond it. Allow half a day for the town and its two sights, and keep to the speed limits on the narrow rural roads.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Kawakawa
New Zealand - 20 km
Hundertwasser Toilets, Kawakawa
OdditiesKawakawa, New ZealandPublic toilets in the main street designed by the Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, with mosaic tiles, bottle walls and a grass roof. They are free to use and well kept. A heritage railway also runs through the middle of the street.
- 314 km
Paihia
New Zealand - 42 km
Waitangi Treaty Grounds
HistoryPaihia, New ZealandThe place where the Treaty of Waitangi was first signed in 1840, with the Treaty House, a carved meeting house and a large war canoe. Guided tours and cultural performances run daily. Allow half a day and check the entry fee.
- 54 km
Haruru Falls
NaturePaihia, New ZealandA broad, horseshoe-shaped waterfall on the Waitangi River, a short walk from the car park on Haruru Falls Road. The mangrove boardwalk from the Waitangi grounds reaches it on foot. The flow is strongest after rain.
- 635 km
Hole in the Rock, Cape Brett
NaturePaihia, New ZealandA natural arch at the tip of Motukōkako Island, which boats can pass through when the swell is gentle. Cruises leave Paihia and Russell and often meet dolphins on the way. Trips depend on the weather, so book flexibly.
- 726 km
Russell
New Zealand - 81 km
Flagstaff Hill (Maiki), Russell
ViewsRussell, New ZealandA hilltop reserve above Russell with a flagstaff that was felled several times in the 1840s. A steep road and a walking track lead up to a wide view over the Bay of Islands. Late afternoon light suits the views best.
- 920 km
Kerikeri
New Zealand - 102 km
Stone Store and Kemp House, Kerikeri
HistoryKerikeri, New ZealandThe oldest stone building in the country, built in the 1830s beside the Kerikeri Basin, next to the oldest wooden house. A riverside walk starts here. The Stone Store has a shop and café; check the site hours.
- 112 km
Rainbow Falls, Kerikeri
NatureKerikeri, New ZealandA 27-metre waterfall in a bush reserve on the Kerikeri River. A short walk from the lookout car park leads to a viewing point, and the river track from the Stone Store brings you here on foot in about an hour.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Kawakawa → Haruru Falls · 20 km · 0 h 13 minOn the way: Hundertwasser Toilets, Kawakawa, Paihia, Waitangi Treaty Grounds.
- Day 2: Haruru Falls → Russell · 61 km · 0 h 40 minOn the way: Hole in the Rock, Cape Brett.
- Day 3: Russell → Rainbow Falls, Kerikeri · 25 km · 0 h 16 minOn the way: Flagstaff Hill (Maiki), Russell, Kerikeri, Stone Store and Kemp House, Kerikeri.
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–June and September–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in February–March and July–August. Hot in January. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is Three days in the Bay of Islands: Waitangi to Kerikeri?
3-day road trip of about 105 km (66 mi) with 11 stops, from Kawakawa to Rainbow Falls, Kerikeri. About 1 h 09 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Three days in the Bay of Islands: Waitangi to Kerikeri?
We suggest 3 days: about 1 h 09 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Three days in the Bay of Islands: Waitangi to Kerikeri start and end?
It starts in Kawakawa and ends in Rainbow Falls, Kerikeri.
Which states does Three days in the Bay of Islands: Waitangi to Kerikeri pass through?
New Zealand.
When is the best time for Three days in the Bay of Islands: Waitangi to Kerikeri?
The most pleasant months are usually April–June and September–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in February–March and July–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
