Paihia

Paihia combines beaches and on-the-water activities with walking trails and historic sites. This makes it an interesting destination for a trip where you can choose between coastal activities, boat trips and insights into history. As you plan your holiday, consider whether this mix suits the kind of stay you’re looking for.

Coastal Walks and Beach Days

The Paihia to Ōpua Coastal Walkway is an 8.9 km, moderately graded day walk with a walking time of two hours. It begins at Waitangi Bridge and follows the coastal Marsden Road through Paihia. The coastal walkway connects the town with the harbour at Ōpua. Its length, grade and walking time give you practical details to help plan a walk into your trip.

A shorter walking option starts at the end of School Road: the Paihia School Road Track begins there, 700 metres from the town centre. This lets you choose between this track and the longer route towards Ōpua, depending on which distance you’d like to make the focus of your outing.

Swimming is another possible activity: Paihia has two sandy, safe swimming beaches. If you’d like to spend time by the water, they offer another way to enjoy your stay alongside the coastal walks. At Bay Beach Hire, you can rent kayaks, paddleboards and bicycles in Paihia. The range includes both on-the-water activities and bicycles.

Boat Trips and Other Activities

Paihia is the main departure point for all boat tours to the islands. Cruises of various kinds depart daily from here. Trips to the outer islands and fishing trips can be arranged at the wharf. This range is useful when planning a day on the water: you can choose a cruise, an island trip or a fishing trip. A ferry also connects Paihia with historic Russell.

Paihia also offers sea-kayaking tours, sailing and diving. Speedboats depart from here for the Hole in the Rock. Parasailing, scenic helicopter flights and skydiving are also available. These varied options make Paihia a destination for travellers who don’t want to spend their time only walking or at the beach. When choosing where to stay, consider whether you’d mainly like to explore the coast on foot, plan on-the-water activities or combine different experiences.

Historic Sites in Paihia

The Williams Memorial Church of St Paul commemorates the missionary Henry Williams. The adjoining cemetery dates from around 1826. The church and cemetery add a historical dimension to a stay in Paihia, alongside the trips and activities. If you’re interested in the town’s history, you can include these names and the early cemetery in your plans for exploring the area.

Another historic site is the Henry Williams Memorial at 36 Marsden Road. It is classified as a Category 2 public historic place. The address and classification help distinguish this site clearly from the Williams Memorial Church of St Paul; both commemorate Henry Williams, but they are separate named places.

The initial focus, then, is on choosing Paihia as a destination and exploring its wide range of options.

More Destinations to Explore

You can also add these places to your travel plans: Broadwood, Coopers Beach, Opononi, Opua, Waitangi, Kawakawa, Pakaraka and Ahipara.

For the broader travel overview: Far North District.