Variety of the Bay

Press, 18 July 1979, Page 27

Variety of the Bay

Paihia offers a wide variety of attractions for the holidaymaker: cruises, deep sea fishing, flightseeing, coach tours, sport, bush walks, kauri forests, hot springs, limestone caves, and last, but not least, a number of places of great historical interest, including the famous Waitangi Treaty House. Some of the possible activities are: By Sea . . . The “Cream Trip,” scenic launch trips (half-day and all day), game-fishing boats, 1 i n e-fishing launches, ski-tow boats, jet boats, outboard boats, water taxis, high-speed cruises, yacht charters, dinghies. All are available from the Paihia waterfront. By road . . . Coach tours leave daily for Cape Reinga. One tour travels along Ninety Mile Beach; others visit kauri forests and historic areas of Northland. The EastCoaster takes passengers to Whangaroa harbour and returns to Paihia via the

East Coast Road, with its stunning coastal scenery. Rental cars are available from the Hertz or Avis agencies in Paihia. Popular shorter trips lead to Opononi (92km), the kauri forests of Omahuta, Puketi, and Waipoua (40km to 120 km), Whangaroa Harbour (52km), and New Zealand’s northernmost city, Whangarei, about 70km south of the Bay. On foot . . . Excellent bush walks in the Opua Forest, one of the few remaining areas of native bush in Paihia’s immediate vicinity. Delightful walks also in the Puketi kauri forest, 40km from Paihia, the Omahuta kauri forest, 68 km north, and along any number of beautiful beaches. Recreation . . .

Skin diving, water-ski-ing tennis, swimming. A first class bowling green is situated next to the Waitangi Hotel and one of the finest golf courses in New Zealand overlooks

the Bay from the Waitangi National Reserve. Points of interest Waitangi National Reserve, New Zealand’s birthplace as a nation, includes the Treaty House, carved Maori meeting house, and great war canoe. Moored alongside the Waitangi Bridge is the Shipwreck Museum. Nearby is the century-old “cursed” Karaka tree. The first consecrated burial ground in New Zealand lies beside the Williams Memorial Church which is on the site of the original Paihia Mission Station. Within easy reach of Paihia, visit the Haruru Falls, the Ngawha hot springs (36 km), the Waimate Mission House (21km, and Waiomio Limestone Caves.