Romantic Russell
A short ferry trip from Paihia brings you to the birthplace of the nation and one of the most romantic dining experiences in the country.
Russell, with its wealth of well known historical highlights including Flagstaff Hill, the Duke of Marlborough Hotel (1840), Christ Church (1836) and Pompallier (1842) is now an epicurean hotspot and haven for chefs of international renown. With the pick of the Bay of Island’s legendary produce and abundant fresh seafood, and with the home of the Orongo Bay oyster a short drive along the coast, it’s no wonder that this quaint village of exquisitely restored character buildings has more than its fair share of top-quality eateries.
Russell waterfront
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This is the place to come for the ultimate romantic evening. Board the ferry for a calm cruise across sparkling clear waters to the peninsula, where a beach of shiny pebbles glisten like polished gemstones in the moonlight, reflecting the glow of candles from café tables scattered along a pohutukawa-lined lane. Disembark at the historic wooden wharf and enjoy a moon-lit stroll to any of a dozen or more of New Zealand’s finest dining establishments, including Kamakura Restaurant and the iconic Duke of Marlborough Hotel. The ambience of waterfront dining in Russell is unparalleled, facing due west to capture the full splendour of glorious Northland sunsets unfolding over the ocean through the timeless vista of ancient pohutukawas.
As night falls the lights of Paihia appear twinkling across the moonlit sea, and the cry of the pukeko fades into the still night as the more plaintive call of the morepork and the North Island brown kiwi form a counterpoint to the sound of waves lapping gently at the pebbled shore and the creaking timbers of visiting yachts enjoying – like their sailing and whaling counterparts of bygone centuries - the safe anchorage of the bay.
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