Accommodation Near the Bay of Islands & Northland
Kerigold Chalets sits in central Kerikeri — 20 minutes from Paihia and Waitangi, 30 minutes from Russell, and well placed for day trips across Northland and the Far North.
How Far Is Kerigold Chalets From Nearby Towns?
At 326 Kerikeri Road, you're in the middle of Northland's most visited region. Here are the drive times from our front gate:
| Destination | Distance | Drive Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kerikeri Town Centre | 500m | 5 min walk | Cafes, restaurants, supermarket, shops |
| Waipapa | 8 km | ~10 min | Shopping centre, Mitre 10, fast food |
| Stone Store & Kerikeri Basin | 1.5 km | ~5 min | NZ’s oldest stone building |
| Rainbow Falls | 2 km | ~7 min | 27m waterfall, short walk from car park |
| Opua Marina | 20 km | ~20 min | Russell car ferry, fishing charters, marina |
| Paihia | 23 km | ~25 min | Bay of Islands cruises, dolphin tours, Waitangi |
| Waitangi Treaty Grounds | 24 km | ~25 min | NZ’s most significant historic site |
| Russell | 25 km + ferry | ~35 min total | Via Opua car ferry (15 min crossing) |
| Kawakawa | 25 km | ~25 min | Hundertwasser Toilets, gateway to Far North |
| Kaikohe | 35 km | ~30 min | Regional service town, Pioneer Village |
| Kaeo | 40 km | ~35 min | Kaeo River, gateway to Kauri Cliffs |
| Kauri Cliffs Golf Course | 55 km | ~45 min | World top-50 ranked course |
| Cape Reinga | 190 km | ~2.5 hrs | Tip of NZ — full day trip |
Bay of Islands
The Bay of Islands is 20–35 minutes from Kerigold Chalets, depending on where you're headed. Kerikeri gives you a quieter, more private base than staying in Paihia itself — and you're close enough for day trips to everything.
Paihia
23 km — about 25 minutes
Paihia is the main hub for Bay of Islands activities. The waterfront is lined with cruise operators, and it's the departure point for dolphin watching tours, the Hole in the Rock cruise, and island excursions across the Bay's 144 islands.
- Dolphin watching and island cruises from Paihia Wharf
- Hole in the Rock cruise to Cape Brett
- Swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding
- Good range of waterfront restaurants and cafes
- Passenger ferry to Russell (12 min)
Waitangi Treaty Grounds
24 km — about 25 minutes
Waitangi is New Zealand's most significant historic site. The Treaty of Waitangi was signed here in 1840, and the grounds include the original Treaty House, a large carved wharenui (meeting house), and a 35-metre waka taua (war canoe). There are guided tours daily.
- Treaty House (1834) — New Zealand's oldest surviving European building
- Te Kongahu Museum of Waitangi
- Haruru Falls — short walk or drive from the grounds
- Open daily; guided tours available
Russell
~35 min total (via Opua car ferry)
Russell was New Zealand's first European settlement — once known as the "Hell Hole of the Pacific," it's now one of the prettiest towns in the country. The ferry crossing from Opua takes 15 minutes and is part of the experience.
- Christ Church (1836) — oldest surviving church in NZ, with musket ball holes from the 1845 Battle of Kororareka
- Pompallier Mission (1842) — restored French Catholic printing house
- Duke of Marlborough Hotel — NZ’s first licensed hotel
- Long Beach — 3km of golden sand, good swimming
- Flagstaff Hill (Maiki) — views across the Bay
- Boat tours to Hole in the Rock and Urupukapuka Island
Opua Marina
20 km — about 20 minutes
Opua is a small marina town at the southern end of the Bay of Islands. It's primarily known as the departure point for the car ferry to Russell, and as a base for sailing and fishing charters.
- Car ferry to Russell — runs regularly throughout the day
- Sailing and fishing charters from the marina
- Coastal walkway along the waterfront
- Good boat launch facilities
Around Kerikeri
These towns are all within 35 minutes of Kerigold Chalets — easy for a morning trip or an afternoon out.
Waipapa
8 km — about 10 minutes
Waipapa sits just south of Kerikeri and is the commercial area for the wider district — Mitre 10, supermarkets, fast food, and a shopping centre. If you need to stock up on supplies, Waipapa is the quickest option from our chalets.
- Pak'nSave and other supermarkets
- Mitre 10, Bunnings, and retail stores
- Fuel stations
Kawakawa
25 km — about 25 minutes
Kawakawa is best known for the Hundertwasser Toilets — public toilets designed by Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, who lived in the area for the last years of his life. They're genuinely worth a look. The town sits on SH1 and is a natural stop on the way south or north.
- Hundertwasser Toilets — free, open daily
- Kawakawa Bay Area Museum
- Gateway to the Bay of Islands on SH1
Kaeo
40 km — about 35 minutes
Kaeo is a small riverside town on the Kaeo River, close to the coast and not far from Mangonui and Coopers Beach (some of Northland's nicest beaches). It's also the closest town to Kauri Cliffs Golf Course.
- Kaeo River and coastal walks
- Mangonui — charming harbour town with good seafood, 20 min further
- Coopers Beach — sheltered swimming, 25 min from Kaeo
- Kauri Cliffs Golf Course (world top-50) — 15 min from Kaeo
Further Afield — Northland & the Far North
Kerikeri is a reasonable base for day trips across Northland. Cape Reinga is a long day (about 2.5 hours each way) but very doable. Kaikohe is 30 minutes inland.
Kaikohe
35 km — about 30 minutes
Kaikohe is the main inland service town for the Far North. It's a working town rather than a tourist destination, but has a good Pioneer Village museum with restored historic buildings and machinery from early settler life.
- Kaikohe Pioneer Village
- Ngawha Hot Springs — thermal pools, 5 min south of town
- Regional services and facilities
Cape Reinga & the Far North
190 km — about 2.5 hours
Cape Reinga is the spiritual and geographical tip of New Zealand — where the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean meet. It's a full day trip from Kerikeri but one of the most iconic things to do in New Zealand. Ninety Mile Beach stretches south from Cape Reinga along the west coast.
- Cape Reinga Lighthouse and lookout — where two oceans meet
- Te Werahi Beach — one of NZ’s most remote and beautiful
- Ninety Mile Beach — long drive-on beach (4WD recommended)
- Karikari Peninsula — quieter beaches and Carrington Estate winery
- Doubtless Bay — sheltered swimming at Mangonui and Coopers Beach
About Kerigold Chalets
We're at 326 Kerikeri Road — private chalets and studios in a citrus and avocado orchard, five minutes' walk from Kerikeri town centre. Self-contained units with kitchens, Sky TV, heat pumps, and free parking at the door. Family-run since 2001.
Every unit includes:
- Kitchen with stovetop, microwave, fridge, and cookware
- Free high-speed WiFi
- Sky TV
- Heat pump (heating and cooling)
- Private outdoor space — deck or patio
- Free dedicated parking at your door
- Quality beds and linen
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