Russell Activities and Booking Service - Endless opportunities for your entertainment
There are endless opportunities for entertainment in the Bay of Islands, both free and with a charge. Some of our top suggestions include cruises on the Bay, dolphin watching, sailing and fishing charters. Everything you need for a relaxing or action-packed Bay of Islands holiday is right here. And better yet, you don't even need your car to reach it all!
We offer a COMPLIMENTARY BOOKING SERVICE AT RECEPTION 8am – 7:30pm.
Top 10 Members get discounts at a wide range of local businesses including activities, cafes and shops.
Russell
- The beaches around Russell are easy to get to and each offers a different coastal experience
- The lookout at Flagstaff Hill and the walkways around Russell are world-class
- The Russell Museum and Pompallier House are both 'on our doorstep' in Russell and come highly recommended
- Russell’s cafes, galleries and waterfront are great for passing the time too
- All Bay of Islands tours and cruises, sailing and big-game fishing charters depart the Russell Wharf, as well as regular passenger ferries to Paihia
Bay of Islands
- Cruises include Hole in the Rock, Island Hopping cruises, speed boats, sailing, tall ships, racing yachts, dolphin watching and dolphin swimming
- Fishing charters, deep sea fishing and scuba diving
- Catch the passenger ferry to Paihia and visit Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the adventure park or go parasailing or Skydiving
- Catch a bus to Cape Reinga & Ninety Mile Beach for the day (via the Paihia passenger ferry)
- Visit Omata Estate Winery (Russell) or do a winery tour taking you to Kerikeri
Getting to Russell – A Scenic Journey in Itself
- Russell can be reached by road via a regular Vehicle Ferry service from Opua to Okiato operating until 10pm daily. Russell is only a 8km drive from Okiato (this is the preferred route). Please note that the ferry takes cash payments only. Ferry ride is approximately 10 mins, wait time varies as service is a shuttle service and dependant on whether there are 1 or 2 ferries operating at the time.
- If you have a bit more time travel via the East Coast and enjoy spectacular coastal scenery of Helena Bay and beyond on the “Old Russell Road” – stop off at Helena Bay Cafe & Gallery for lunch or a snack
- If you are travelling the West Coast via Waipoua Forest and Hokianga Harbour or coming from the North (Kaitaia, Doubtless Bay or Cape Reinga) you can drive to Russell via Paihia (turn at Puketona Junction), Opua and the Russell Vehicle Ferry
Russell Top 10 Annual Fishing Competition
- 2-3 January each year
- Weigh-in by 6pm each day with prize-giving at 7pm on the last day
- Fishing can be undertaken anywhere in the Bay with divisions by age group
- Participation is for Russell Top 10 Park guests only
- Entry Fee: $2 for intermediates & juniors, $4 for adults
 |
 |
 |
 |