Activities
We are surrounded by native forests with beautiful bush walks, world-class golf courses, bike trails, mountain bike tracks, unspoilt beaches, plentiful fishing, art galleries, award-winning wineries, historic attractions and farmer’s markets. Take advantage of big game fishing, sailing or scenic helicopter flights. You’ll find information and activities to just a few of these below and our friendly concierge can assist you with information and bookings.
Stargazing Picnic at the peak
Embark on a celestial adventure with our Stargazing Picnic at the Kauri Hill Estate summit. We whisk you away to a cozy setup complete with comfy chairs, blankets, telescope, and a delectable picnic spread. Want to add some sparkle? We’ll arrange wine and desserts too.
Once you’ve had your fill of stargazing, simply give us a call, and we’ll safely return you home.
Beaches
90 Mile Beach at Ahipara is a beautiful place for a long walk and is renowned for magnificent sunsets and for having one of the best left hand surf breaks in the world. Drive time is about 1.5 hours. It’s also close to Cape Reinga which has strong significance in Maori culture. Drive time to Cape Reinga is just over two hours.
There are many other smaller, beautiful beaches suitable for swimming and picnics within easy reach of Kauri Hill Estate including Tauranga Bay (drive time 25 minutes), Te Ngaere Bay (drive time 35 minutes), Matai Bay (drive time 50 mins), and Matauri Bay (drive time 30 minutes), home of the famous Rainbow Warrior Dive Wreck.
Bush Walks
We have a 3.5 km walk through our own private reserve. Listen to the birds as you stroll amongst the native bush including iconic Kauri trees. At night you may even hear kiwi calling to each other. Or take a short walk up Papakura Hill to enjoy magnificent views of Whangaroa Harbour.
There are several other local tracks easily near Kauri Hill Estate such as Wairakau Stream Walk and St. Paul’s Rock track. Our Concierge can give you details.
Mahinepua Peninsula Track has wonderful views of the Cavalli Islands and the Mahinepua Reserve. It’s an easy 3km walk and takes about an hour each way. Drive time is about 30 minutes.
Puketi Nature Trail is an easy, short (1.6 km) board walk amongst giant Kauri trees and stunning New Zealand flora and fauna. Drive time is about 40 minutes.
Rainbow Falls in Kerikeri can be accessed from two directions. There is a wheelchair friendly boardwalk from Rainbow Falls Road which takes about 10 minutes or you can take the 4.3km walk through the bush and along the river starting at the Kerikeri town basin. Allow about an hour each way and wear sturdy footwear. Drive time is about 30 minutes.
Cycling & Mountain Biking
Twin Coast Cycle Trail offers a variety of short trails of different intensities which can be done individually or linked together to make a day of it. Spanning Opua to Horeke you travel across Northland farm land and bush.
Waitangi Mountain Bike Park, located in the Waitangi Forest, offers a variety of grade tracks to suit everyone from novice cyclists to the ultra-fit. You can hire bikes in Paihia or bring your own. Drive time is about an hour.
Farmer’s Market
The Old Packhouse Market in Kerikeri is the best known and largest Farmer’s Market in the Far North. Open from 8 am -1.30 pm every Saturday, it features some of Northlands finest artisan fare. There is a smaller food and vintage market at the same venue on Sundays from 9am – 1pm on Sundays. Drive time is around 35 minutes.
Fishing Charters
Whangaroa Harbour is well known for its abundance of fish and in particular Striped and Blue Marlin during the season. This area is also good for catching Kingfish and Snapper. There are many local fishing charters within a short drive.
Golf Courses
Bay of Islands Golf Course is located in central Kerikeri and there are plenty of shops and cafes nearby to entertain any non-golfers in your party. Drive time is around 40 minutes.
Carrington Golf Course is located on the Karikari Peninsula close to Carrington Estate Winery. Drive time is about 50 minutes.
Kauri Cliffs is on the PGA tour and is one of New Zealand’s most celebrated golf courses and there is an excellent restaurant onsite. Drive time is about 35 minutes.
Whangaroa Golf Course is the nearest course to Kauri Hills Estate. Offering relaxed country-style golf, the drive time is about 10 minutes.
Waitangi Golf Course is set on historic grounds and offers beautiful vistas of Russell and the Bay of Islands. There are many entertainment options close by for non-golfers. Drive time is about 55 minutes.
Scenic Helicopter Flights
We have a helicopter pad onsite which has been built to international standards and has approved lighting for safe night flights.
We have several tours that operate from Kauri Hills Helipad. See the Helicopter Tours page for more information.
Historic Sites
Kerikeri, Waitangi, Paihia and Russell play an important role in the history of early New Zealand and there are many historic buildings and points of interest to visit such as the Kerikeri Stone Store Basin, Waitangi Treaty Grounds & Museum and Pompallier Mission & Printery in Russell, to name just a few.
Vineyards
There are many ward-winning wineries nearby that also have excellent restaurants onsite.
Ake Ake Vineyard on the edge of Kerikeri is open for lunch 7 days a week from 11.45am (last reservations at 2pm) and for dinner Monday to Saturday from 5.30pm (last reservations at 8pm). Drive time is just over 30 minutes.
Carrington Estate on Karikari Peninsula has spectacular sea views. The summer restaurant trading hours are Monday to Thursday 11am – 4pm and Friday to Sunday 11am – 8pm. Drive time is about 45 minutes.
Marsden Estate in Kerikeri is open 7 days a week. In summer they are open from 10 – 5pm for lunch and cellar door sales and from 6pm for dinner on Friday & Saturday. Drive time is around 35 minutes.
Shopping in the Bay of Islands
In addition to being popular tourist destinations in the Bay of Islands you’ll find a great variety of shops, cafes, galleries and entertainment in Kerikeri (drive time 20 minutes), Paihia (Drive time 40 minutes) and Russell (a 15 minute ferry ride from Paihia).