New Zealand's first European settlement. Discover the walks, water, food, history, and community that make this place unforgettable.
From harbour walks to historic churches, there's more here than you'd expect from a small town.
Russell has more to do than most visitors expect. Here's the rundown.
Guided historic walking tours of Russell township with one of the town's most knowledgeable locals.
☎ 027 714 7845
Community cinema with screenings Friday to Sunday. A rainy-day must.
☎ 021 209 2057 | cinemakororareka.co.nz
Russell → Long Beach or Tapeka. Beautiful coastal tracks accessible to all fitness levels.
Tall ship day sail and sailing adventures from Russell Wharf.
☎ 09 402 8430 | tucker.co.nz
Day sail charter exploring the Bay of Islands.
☎ 0800 224 421 | phantomsailingbayofislands.com
Day sailing charters in the Bay of Islands.
☎ 0800 334 662 | sailing-bay-of-islands.co.nz
Long Beach for surfing/body surfing. Swimming at Long Beach, Tapeka Point, and the Russell waterfront.
Russell Wharf, Tapeka Rocks, Long Beach. Gear available at the Information Booth.
Town Hall sessions.
Lydia Ayton ☎ 021 770 605
Town Hall — Ines & Dagmar. Oasis — Karin.
☎ 021 892 304 / 021 276 7755
Regular sessions in Russell.
Catrina ☎ 021 124 7983
Russell Bowling Club.
Pania Sigley ☎ 027 687 8548
Sessions at Russell Town Hall.
Games at Pompallier Mission grounds.
Nauti Penguin Tavern and RSA.
Bookings & gear available at the Information Booth.
Football, Netball, Basketball at Russell School after hours.
Long sandy bay popular for swimming and body surfing. A beautiful walk from town.
Longbeach Road
Secluded beach near rocky headland. Great for a quiet swim.
Tapeka Point Road
Own a business in Russell? Get in front of every visitor to town.
Get Your Business Listed →From a quick coffee to a waterfront dinner, Russell punches well above its weight.
Fine dining in a historic 1847 building on the waterfront. One of the Bay's best.
19 The Strand | ☎ 09 403 7670 | thegablesrestaurant.co.nz
Historic waterfront hotel and restaurant — NZ's first licensed premises.
35 The Strand | ☎ 09 403 7829 | theduke.co.nz
Garden bar serving pizza and local beers.
10 York Street | ☎ 022 466 3710 | hones.co.nz
Modern restaurant with bar and deck seating.
25 The Strand | ☎ 09 403 7652 | butterfish.co.nz
Winery and restaurant with stunning views.
89 Te Wahapu Rd | ☎ 021 350 339 | omata.co.nz
Fine dining at Paroa Bay Winery.
31 Otamarua Rd | ☎ 09 403 7928 | thesagerussell.co.nz
Pizza restaurant on Cass Street.
4 Cass Street
Beachfront cafe.
1 Tapeka Road | ☎ 09 403 7778
Popular local coffee spot.
Mobile coffee on the waterfront.
Cafe at the Pompallier Mission grounds.
Fresh seafood and fish & chips.
1 The Strand | ☎ 09 403 7826
Thai takeaway.
9 York Street | ☎ 09 403 7365
Indian and Thai cuisine.
19 York Street | ☎ 09 403 8899
Quick bites on the go.
Restaurant at Russell Boating Club.
Matauwhi Bay | ☎ 09 403 7817
Social club with meals and drinks.
Local pub with meals, darts, and pool.
Members and visitors welcome.
Ice cream shops on Cass Street near the Wharf.
Russell was New Zealand's first European settlement — and its colourful past is everywhere you look.
Restored Catholic mission printing house and gardens. A fascinating look at early colonial NZ.
5 The Strand | ☎ 09 403 9015 | heritage.org.nz
Local history museum with Maori and maritime exhibits.
2 York Street | ☎ 09 403 7701 | russellmuseum.org.nz
Oldest existing church in New Zealand, built in 1835. Still bears musket ball holes from the 1845 battle.
1 Church Street | ☎ 09 402 5432
Historic hill with flagstaff and panoramic views over the Bay of Islands. Site of Hone Heke's famous standoffs.
Flagstaff Hill Track | doc.govt.nz
Discover Russell and Northland from the head of the wharf.
☎ 021 182 0359 | russellminitours.com
Russell has charming accommodation from historic hotels to waterfront holiday homes.
NZ's first licensed hotel — waterfront rooms with historic character and modern comfort.
35 The Strand | ☎ 09 403 7829 | theduke.co.nz
Hotels, B&Bs, and holiday homes — get listed
Everything you need to know to get around, get supplies, and stay comfortable.
Fullers GreatSights (passenger), Happy Ferry, Blue Ferry. Okiato car ferry for vehicles.
Four Square and Fresh Choice for groceries. Russell Liquor Store for drinks.
Maps, bookings, local advice, tennis gear.
☎ 09 403 8020
Borrow DVDs, books, and use free wifi.
Thrift shop on York Street.
☎ 09 403 7320
Op shop and St John.
14 York Street | ☎ 09 403 8606
York Street and next to Hone's behind the Town Hall.
Every listing at a glance, sorted by category.
| Name | Category | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| William Fuller Walking Tours | Walking | 027 714 7845 |
| R. Tucker Thompson | Sailing | 09 402 8430 |
| Phantom Yacht Charters | Sailing | 0800 224 421 |
| Vigilant Yacht Charters | Sailing | 0800 334 662 |
| Wood2Water | Bikes & Kayaks | 09 403 7073 |
| Cinema Kororāreka | Cinema | 021 209 2057 |
| Russell Mini Tours | Tours | 021 182 0359 |
| Pompallier Mission | Heritage | 09 403 9015 |
| Russell Museum | Museum | 09 403 7701 |
| Christ Church | Historic | 09 402 5432 |
| The Gables Restaurant | Fine Dining | 09 403 7670 |
| Duke of Marlborough | Hotel & Dining | 09 403 7829 |
| Hone's Garden | Bar & Pizza | 022 466 3710 |
| Butterfish Eatery | Restaurant | 09 403 7652 |
| Omata Estate Winery | Winery | 021 350 339 |
| Sage Restaurant | Fine Dining | 09 403 7928 |
| The Grazing Table | Pizza | |
| Seaside Cafe | Cafe | 09 403 7778 |
| Hell Hole Cafe | Coffee | |
| Russell Fish Co Ltd | Seafood | 09 403 7826 |
| Tuk Tuk Bangkok Thai | Thai | 09 403 7365 |
| Greens Indian & Thai | Indian & Thai | 09 403 8899 |
| Hank's Sushi & Turkish Kebab | Sushi & Kebab | |
| Boat Club Bistro | Bistro | 09 403 7817 |
| RSA Diggers | Bar & Dining | |
| Nauti Penguin Tavern | Pub | |
| Swordfish Club | Club | |
| Russell Wharf Info Booth | Information | 09 403 8020 |
| Ferries (Fullers, Happy, Blue) | Transport | |
| Four Square & Fresh Choice | Groceries | |
| Russell Library | Library | |
| Russell Op Shop | Shopping | 09 403 7320 |
| Hato Hone St John Store | Shopping | 09 403 8606 |
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