Scenic drives & flights

The Old Russell Road, Rawhiti Peninsula and Ngaiotonga Forest

This was the land access route before the car ferry went in at Opua. Beautiful bays and access to good hikes.

Kerikeri

A small but bustling and quite arty market town with several important historic sites. It's about a 30 minute drive from Paihia and on the way you'll pass fruit stalls, wineries, a handmade chocolate shop, Living Nature natural cosmetics, craft shops and galleries. Kerikeri has a great little farmers' market on Sunday mornings.

The Hokianga and Waipoua Forest

The Hokianga is the beautiful and still quite undeveloped harbour on the other coast from here. Waipoua Forest is a large remnant of the kauri forest which covered much of the upper North Island. A fantastic day trip.

Cape Reinga

A good whole day drive to the very northern tip of the country. Go one way via SH10 through Whangaroa Harbour, Mangonui Harbour and Doubtless Bay and the other way via Kaitaia on SH1. If you want to experience driving up 90 mile beach and through the sand dunes it's best to take one of the special 4WD bus tours from Paihia. It's too dangerous to drive on the beach yourself as you might get caught by the tide or hit quicksand. We can organise a tour for you.

The Bay and Northland by air

This is the perfect way to put Northland's stunning scenery into perspective: a helicopter or fixed wing flight to the Hole in the Rock, or a Discovery flight over the Bay, Cavalli Islands and Whangaroa Harbour, or up the east and west coasts and 90 mile beach to Cape Reinga. Or create your own itinerary. www.saltair.co.nz