Paihia - Opua - Okiato - Russell Walk

It is possible to complete a full circle walk around the main visitor areas of the Bay of Islands by using a combination of the Paihia to Opua walkway, the Opua car ferry, the Okiato to Russell walkway and the Russell to Paihia ferry.

The Paihia to Opua Walkway is a well established track. It follows the beach before entering the bush covered coastal walk. The track enters bush after crossing the Te Haumi bridge. It is clearly marked being part of the Te Araroa Pathway. The coastal track is undulating, with excellent water views across the channel to the Russell peninsular and into the Waikare Inlet. The track finishes at Opua, where a general store sells food, drinks and essentials. 

At Opua board the car/passenger ferry to Okiato on the Russell Peninsular. 

The Okiato to Russell walkway has flat coastal stretches at the Okiato and Orongo Bay ends. In between it traverses mixed bush where there are hundreds of steps to be encountered requiring a reasonable level of fitness.

From Russell, catch one of the passenger ferries to get to back to Paihia.