From Wikitravel

Paihia [1] is a town in the Bay of Islands in the Far North of the North Island of New Zealand.

[edit] Understand

Paihia has stunning views over the Bay of Islands. Most of the maritime activities depart from the wharf at the corner of Marsden and Williams roads. The Maritime Building next to the wharf houses both Fullers and Kings tours, both of which offer a number of excursions.

The Bay of Islands information centre is also at the wharf, phone 09 402 7345, fax 09 402 7314, (email: mailto:visitorinfo@fndc.govt.nz)

[edit] Get in

There are a wide range of options to travel to Paihia. Several tourist coach companies offer daily sightseeing services from downtown Auckland including * Newmans Coach Lines and * InterCity Coachlines. These services take around 4 hours and include rest stops and commentary on local history.

There are also many packaged tours available that include the Bay of Islands in their North Island itinerary. Auckland is the nearest international airport to Paihia. Regional airlines have flights from most of the main centres in New Zealand to Kerikeri airport which is about 20 minutes by car or shuttle van from Paihia.

Rental cars are also a popular choice of transport for overseas visitors.

[edit] Get around

The town centre is small and compact. You can pretty much walk everywhere.

[edit][add listing] See

[edit][add listing] Do

• Kings Dolphin Cruises & Eco Tours Offer a wide range of Dolphin and Whale watching cruises including a full day cruise around the Bay of Islands with a chance to swim with the dolphins. Officially licensed by the New Zealand Department of Conservation, all Kings cruises are permitted to actively seek dolphin and whales in and around the Bay of Islands. All Kings cruises include a trip out the famous Hole in the Rock and the Cape Brett lighthouse. A portion of every ticket goes to dolphin research in the bay. Kings also operate a range of land based tours including a Maori guided tour to the Historical Hokianaga Harbour and spectacular Waipoua Forrest

• Bush walks through the Opua forest. The trail starts at the end of School Road. One hour return to the viewpoint overlooking the Bay and Russell. 2.5 hours each way for a longer walk.

• Swim at the long, sandy beach north of the wharf along the road to Waitangi.

• Dive the Rainbow Warrior wreck. The Rainbow Warrior was a Greenpeace boat sunk by French secret service agents on July 7 1985 in Auckland. It was refloated and then scuttled two years later near the Bay of Islands as an artificial reef. Dive boat trips to the Rainbow Warrior are run by Paihia Dive[2], Williams Road. tel 0800 107 551 (free call) or 09 402 7551. fax 09 402 7110. Paihia Dive teach the PADI wreck course using the wreck.

• Swim With Wild Dolphins There are a small selection of companies in Paihia that are approved by the New Zealand Department of Conservation to seek dolphin and whlaes in the wild. During these tours your are given a beautiful up close and personal view of the Bay of Islands as you follow the pods of dolphins. These tours allow you to jump into the churning sheltered bay with both common and bottlenosed dolphins. Check with operator for approved DOC permit

[edit][add listing] Buy

• The Cabbage Tree has two shops; one in Williams Road and one in the Maritime building. Phone / fax 09 402 7318 . (email: mailto:info@thecabbagetree.co.nz), [3]. Award winning selection of New Zealand made gifts and souvenirs. There are possum and merino wool garments, kauri wood bowls and boxes, traditional greenstone (jade) and bone carvings and jewellery. Open seven days a week.

• Enz of the Earth, Marsden Road, phone 09 402 5955, [4]. Exotic gifts from the East, including Womenswear, Jewellery, Shoes, Hats, Bags, Greenstone. Open seven days. Also a much larger store in Kerikeri.

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Only Seafood, 40 Marsden Road (above Bistro40), phone 09 402 6066 (email: mailto:Only.Seafood@xtra.co.nz, fax 09 402 7083), [5]. Open 7 days a week from 5 PM. It is fully licensed and does not take bookings. NZ seafood. Main plus vegetables $30.

• Bistro40, 40 Marsden Road, phone 09 402 7444 (email: mailto:Bistro40@xtra.co.nz, fax 09 402 7083), [6]. Open for dinner from 6 PM. Housed in a colonial style building circa late 1800s. Best of NZ cuisine. Main plus vegetables $30.

• Ice Cream and Expresso kiosk. Cnr Marsden and Williams Road. Rush Munro 100% natural ice cream and selection of coffees and iced drinks. Gaze over the Bay and people-watch. Around $4.
• King Wah Restaurant, Selwyn Mall, phone 09 402 7566. Chinese cuisine. Buffet $23 per person.

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Beachcomber Resort, 1 Seaview Road, 0800 732 786, 09 402 7434, (fax 09 402 8202, email: mailto:beachcomberpaihia@xtra.co.nz), [7]. 45 rooms each with Bay of Islands sea views, pool, spa, sauna, tennis, Sky TV. Standard studio $130 off peak, $210 peak.

• Pickled Parrot Backpackers, Greys Lane, FREEPHONE 0508 PARROT, 09 402 6222, (fax 09 402 6232, email: mailto:theparrot@paradise.net.nz), [8]. Very cool hostel just off the highway on the right as you head out of town toward Auckland. Great courtyard for everyone to gather in, complete with a BBQ. There is actually a parrot hanging around and you get a free breakfast. A couple minute walk from the beach. Tent sites from $14, Dorms from $20, Doubles/twins from $26, Single from $52.

• Sublime Apartments (formerly Bay of Islands Apartments), 58 School Road, Phone / fax: 09 402 5289, (email: mailto:enquiries@sublimeapartments.co.nz), [9]. Peaceful apartments in a bush setting, but only a couple minutes walk to the shops, bars, restaurants and beach. Recently redone, modern apartments with a well equipped kitchen, spacious living area and roomy bathroom. Extras include a pool, BBQs and wifi access. Apartments from $79 per night.
• Swiss Chalet Lodge Motel, 3 Bayview Road, ☎ +64 (9) 402 7615 (swiss.chalet@xtra.co.nz, fax: +64 (9) 402 7609), [10].  edit

[edit] Get out

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!