A manageable little town in the north and the ideal starting point for trips into the island world of the Bay of Islands, with a beach, promenade and cafés for a relaxed stopover.
On the way from Auckland heading north we made a spontaneous stop at Mangawhai Bay, where we spent the night with our van in the parking lot, the sunset over the wide sandy beach was especially impressive. Another stopover was the roughly 26-meter-high Whangarei Falls, reachable in just a few minutes via a well-built loop trail.
A small, no-frills campervan site with good value for money, perfect for anyone who wants to stay close to the beach. Just a few steps to the sea, a quiet spot with a lovely view, clean, simple facilities. Downside: limited spaces, ideally book ahead.
Verdict: A relaxed place to stay right by the water, no luxury, but exactly right for a quiet night near the beach.
Starts in Paihia and winds through the spectacular Bay of Islands area with over 140 islands. Our tour started in the afternoon with a roughly 3.5-hour boat trip full of exciting insights into nature, history and coastal life today.
Highlights: a panoramic cruise between 144 islands, a nature walk with a 360-degree view on Roberton Island (Twin Lagoons) and the chance to see the famous "Hole in the Rock" on Motukokako Island. Duration around 3.5 hours, cost €60 per person.
Verdict: An absolute highlight of our stay, the combination of fascinating views, interesting information and unique natural wonders made the tour unforgettable.
About a 30-minute drive from Paihia, easily reached by car, with a small free parking lot right at the upper viewpoint. Reaching the waterfall takes just a few minutes, and if you like, you can follow a short dirt path around to behind the waterfall, sturdy footwear recommended.
Verdict: An impressive stop, the view from behind the waterfall was a particular highlight, with no entry fee or long journey required.