Paihia is a little seaside town in Northland and the gateway to the Bay of Islands.

There is a beautiful golden sand beach, and if you wander around the town, you'll find more cafes, restaurants and boutique shops than you'll know what to do with!

The town is lovely, but the main reason you should base yourself in Paihia is the location. It puts you right in the middle of the Bay of Islands, and from here, you can catch the ferry across to Russell, cruise around the islands, or head inland towards Kerikeri to visit Rainbow Falls. You're close to Waitangi, too. While you're here, you should make an effort to see the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and learn about Aotearoa's history.

If you’re staying for a couple of days, I'd recommend booking a day out with Barefoot Sailing Adventures (the best tour I've ever done!), cruising to Hole in the Rock, having dinner in Russell, and, if you have a car, road-tripping up to Whangaroa Harbour and hiking the Dukes Nose Track.