One of the questions we’re asked most often is:
“Should we stay in Kerikeri, Paihia or Russell?”
It’s a question we know well because we’ve been asking it ourselves for decades.
Long before we made Kerikeri our home, we spent many holidays exploring the Bay of Islands and Far North, staying in different parts of the region and discovering what each had to offer. Over the years we’ve returned countless times, eventually choosing to settle here and welcome guests from New Zealand and around the world.
Having experienced the region as both visitors and locals, our recommendation is quite simple.
If you want to make the most of your time in the Bay of Islands and the Far North, we believe Kerikeri is the best place to base yourself.
Why We Recommend Kerikeri
For us, Kerikeri offers the ideal balance of location, variety and a more relaxed pace.
Rather than being centred around a single waterfront, Kerikeri sits at the heart of the wider Bay of Islands and Far North. Waitangi and Paihia are just 20 minutes’ drive away, making cruises and day trips to Russell easy to enjoy. Mangōnui and Coopers Beach are around 40 minutes away, while Whangaroa Harbour, Doubtless Bay and the Hokianga are all within comfortable driving distance.
Instead of packing and unpacking every couple of days, you can settle into one peaceful base and explore a different part of the region each day before returning each evening to the comfort, peace and privacy of the same accommodation.
Over the years we’ve heard the same comment from guests time and again:
“We hadn’t realised just how central Kerikeri is.”
Many tell us that being able to experience so much of Northland without changing accommodation became one of the highlights of their holiday.
Kerikeri is also a destination in its own right, with excellent restaurants, boutique wineries, galleries, golf courses, markets, gardens and historic attractions, making it much more than simply a place to stay between day trips.
Golfers can also discover our guide to Golf in Northland, featuring some of the region’s finest courses.
If you’re looking for inspiration, A Relaxed Day Exploring Kerikeri shares one of our favourite ways to spend a day here.
Perhaps most importantly, Kerikeri has a different pace. At the end of the day, many guests enjoy returning somewhere quieter, away from the busiest tourist areas, where they can relax with a glass of wine, wander through the gardens or simply enjoy the peace before setting out again the following morning.
Paihia
Paihia is the Bay of Islands’ main tourism hub and can be very busy during the peak summer months. It’s also the departure point for most cruises and water-based activities.
If joining a cruise is one of the highlights of your holiday, Paihia is easy to visit from Kerikeri, with most departures only around 20 minutes away.
Many of our guests enjoy spending the day in Paihia before returning to the quieter surroundings of Kerikeri each evening.
Russell
Russell is one of our favourite places to visit and somewhere we return to often ourselves.
Its historic waterfront, heritage buildings, cafés and relaxed atmosphere make it one of the Bay of Islands’ most enjoyable day trips.
We’ve also shared A Slow Day in Russell, based on one of our favourite itineraries.
Many of our guests choose to spend a leisurely day exploring Russell before returning to Kerikeri, ready to discover another part of the region the following day.
Why We’d Choose Kerikeri Every Time
Every traveller is different, but if your goal is to experience as much of the Bay of Islands and Far North as possible without constantly changing accommodation, our recommendation is clear.
Base yourself in Kerikeri.
From here you can easily enjoy cruises from Paihia, spend a relaxed day exploring Russell, discover Mangōnui, Doubtless Bay, Whangaroa Harbour and the Hokianga, then return each evening to the same peaceful surroundings.
If you’re looking for ideas, you may also enjoy A Relaxed Day Exploring Mangōnui & Doubtless Bay or A Journey West to the Hokianga, two of our favourite day trips from Kerikeri.
After decades of holidaying here, many years of living here and welcoming guests from around the world, we still believe it’s the best way to experience the region.
And judging by what our guests tell us, they’re pleased they chose to stay here too.
Planning to stay a little longer? Many guests find four or five nights gives them time to explore the Bay of Islands and Far North at a relaxed pace. Browse our guesthouses, explore our Stay 4, Pay 3 offer and special offers, then start planning your stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kerikeri a good base for exploring the Bay of Islands?
We certainly think so. Kerikeri sits at the heart of the wider Bay of Islands and Far North, making it easy to enjoy cruises from Paihia, spend a day in Russell, explore Mangōnui and Doubtless Bay, visit Whangaroa Harbour or head west to the Hokianga. Rather than changing accommodation, you can return each evening to the same peaceful base.
How far is Kerikeri from Paihia?
Paihia and Waitangi are around 20 minutes’ drive from Kerikeri, making it easy to enjoy cruises, waterfront dining or a day exploring before returning to the quieter surroundings of Kerikeri.
Can I visit Russell while staying in Kerikeri?
Absolutely. Russell is one of our favourite day trips and is easily reached via the Opua vehicle ferry. Many of our guests enjoy spending the day exploring Russell before returning to Treghan Lodge in the evening.
How many nights should I stay in the Bay of Islands?
That really depends on how you’d like to spend your holiday. Even a two-night stay gives you time to experience some of the region’s highlights, while three, four or five nights allow you to explore further afield at a more relaxed pace. Many of our guests tell us they enjoy having extra time to discover the wider Far North without feeling rushed.
Why do so many guests choose to stay in Kerikeri?
The answer we hear most often is its central location. Guests love being able to explore in every direction without changing accommodation. Just as importantly, they enjoy returning each evening to somewhere peaceful after a day out.
Is Kerikeri more peaceful than Paihia?
Paihia is the Bay of Islands’ main tourism hub and can be very busy during the peak summer months. Kerikeri offers a more relaxed atmosphere while still being only a short drive from the waterfront and cruise departures.
What can we do while staying in Kerikeri?
Quite a lot. From Kerikeri you can easily enjoy cruises, visit Russell, explore Mangōnui and Doubtless Bay, discover Whangaroa Harbour, drive to the Hokianga, play golf, visit wineries, browse galleries, explore historic sites and enjoy some of Northland’s best restaurants – all while returning to the same comfortable base each evening.
Does Treghan recommend staying longer?
We welcome guests staying for two nights through to a week or more. A two-night stay is a wonderful way to relax and experience the Bay of Islands, while a longer stay simply gives you the opportunity to explore more of the region at a slower pace. Many guests discover that once they’re here, they wish they’d allowed a little longer.