Story by Kristina
Bliss in the Bay of Islands
Adventure in Russell, Northland & Bay of Islands, NZ
The first thing we saw as we pulled up to The Cottage, were the stunning views across the bay. Located on top of a hill, The Cottage is perfectly positioned for private relaxation, and we couldn’t wait to enjoy every minute of it.
We spent the rest of our first evening unwinding on the deck, soaking up the sunshine and the view, before heading out for a quick sunset dip at a local beach.
Early the next morning, we headed 5 minutes down the road to enjoy the sunrise at another nearby beach before heading back to make breakfast. We spent the afternoon exploring the nearby costal townships of Russell and Paihia.
After an eventful day, we were so excited to head back to the cottage to relax on the deck with wine and cheese, while watching the sun slowly set on the horizon. We couldn’t imagine anywhere else we’d rather be!
We spent the rest of our first evening unwinding on the deck, soaking up the sunshine and the view, before heading out for a quick sunset dip at a local beach.
Early the next morning, we headed 5 minutes down the road to enjoy the sunrise at another nearby beach before heading back to make breakfast. We spent the afternoon exploring the nearby costal townships of Russell and Paihia.
After an eventful day, we were so excited to head back to the cottage to relax on the deck with wine and cheese, while watching the sun slowly set on the horizon. We couldn’t imagine anywhere else we’d rather be!
Things We Did
- Starry sky
- Sunrise
- Experience
- Winery
- Waterfall
- Walk
On a clear night in Russell, the starry sky and milky way are spectacular. We spent our evenings laying on the deck admiring the sky and counting shooting stars.
With views to the Bay of Islands, this gorgeous safe sandy swimming beach is also a perfect spot to watch the sunrise.
If you love parrots, this is the BEST spot in Northland to hang out with some of these friendly birds. The Parrot Place has approximately 300 birds from all over the world and you can even feed and hold some of the birds. It’s always an afternoon well spent.
While exploring the Russell township we stumbled on the perfect little spot for a break and a drink. With tables looking right over the waterfront, we had the best view in the house while we enjoyed a delicious well-earned afternoon drink.
This beautiful, underrated waterfall is just a 3 minute walk from the carpark, or if you’re feeling adventurous you can do the full 6km Haruru Falls walk which will take you around 2.5hrs one-way.
This beautiful little beach is a great spot for an evening stroll or swim on a warm night.
Our Adventure Map
Where we stayed
Things we did
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