PAIHIA: Tourist capital of Northland

Paihia is on the other side of the bay from Russell and is known as the tourist capital of Northland. Most tours of Northland and the inter city buses from Auckland stop here. The town boasts a large number of motels and back packer hostels. It is the departure point for many activities and has a number of shops and restaurants.

Passenger ferries leave the Russell wharf every 20 minutes during the summer and hourly during the winter for the pleasant 15 minute journey.

A short walk around the point is a nice sandy beach, shipwreck museum, and the Waitangi reserve with the treaty house, Maori war canoe, gardens and golf course

The wharf and shopping areas are alive with tourists and back packers as they explore the shops and get ready to board one of the many cruises that leave the wharf.