Visit Paihia New Zealand to
Experience the Best the Bay of Islands Has to Offer

Visitors to New Zealand’s Bay of Islands will find Paihia a splendid New Zealand vacation destination– complete with fine accommodations, great shops and restaurants, and extensive opportunities for outdoor adventure.

For those traveling into New Zealand, Paihia can best be reached via Auckland. Just take a flight to the international airport in Auckland, New Zealand. Be sure to explore some inexpensive options for flights to New Zealand. Then travel north by road. You’ll find numerous coach services that regularly depart Auckland for Paihia. A variety of rental vehicles are also available in Auckland for travelers.

Paihia gives tourists a dual advantage; first, it’s small enough that you won’t have any difficulty reaching any destination within the town by taking a short walk. On the other hand, Paihia has abundant facilities: shops, accommodations, and places to eat or just relax.

Those interested in authentic NZ products — from exquisite New Zealand greenstone carvings to high-quality merino wool to dishware and decorative pieces made of beautiful kauri wood — will find a wide selection of these items and more at The Cabbage Tree, which has two shops in Paihia. Female tourists will enjoy shopping for an extensive variety of women’s clothing and jewelry at Endz of the Earth.

Many of Paihia’s stores are open seven days a week, and so are a lot of its fine restaurants. The restaurant “Only Seafood” will give you a taste of great cuisine made from the marine life caught off New Zealand’s shores, while Bistro40 enables tourists to enjoy an exquisite colonial setting as they savor traditional NZ dishes. Both restaurants open for business every evening at 6 p.m. at the latest.

For a more casual eating experience, try the Ice Cream and Expresso Kiosk, where you can cool off with some refreshing 100% natural ice cream and great iced beverages. Those in the mood for something warm will enjoy sipping an energizing cup of coffee from the Kiosk.

What kinds of accommodation does Paihia offer? Those who seek a luxurious stay will enjoy the Beachcomber Resort, complete with its own spa, pool, and tennis courts. Each of the rooms faces the Bay of Islands so that you can get spectacular views of New Zealand’s stunning shores without even leaving the room.

The Sublime Apartments also offer high-quality modern facilities– along with wi-fi Internet access, a BBQ area, and a swimming pool; the apartments are a great choice for tourists planning an extended stay in the Paihia area.

If you love hiking and tramping adventures and seek a comfortable place to come home for the night, consider staying at Pickled Parrot Backpackers for fun and inexpensive accommodations. Breakfast at the Pickled Parrot is free, and, yes, there’s a real parrot there waiting to greet you with its delightful and funny antics.

Outside of Paihia New Zealand, travelers can experience a variety of outdoor adventures. Taking a bush walk through the Opua forest will give you great exercise and amazing views of the Bay of Islands and the nearby town of Russell. The walk will last about two and a half hours in each direction, so be prepared for some intense hiking!

Swimming and diving opportunities also abound in the area; great places to swim include the beach along the road between Paihia and Waitangi. You can also take a wild dolphin tour, cruising the bay and getting the great pleasure of swimming right alongside these friendly, delightful, and immensely interesting marine mammals.