First Contact Tour

Explore beautiful Russell, one of the first Maori settlements in New Zealand dating back to c1300s, the oldest town in NZ, & hear of stories of (old) Russell, New Zealand’s first capital. Discover internationally significant histories of early Maori migration, & European exploration. Learn of Polynesian, British, French, Australian & American involvement in the Bay of Islands, revealing tales of exploration, trading, commerce, conflict, whaling, game fishing, & much more. Your guides will show you sites of beauty & significance as the bus meanders through the picturesque landscape. Make sure you have your camera ready. The bus tour is followed by a refreshing light snack at Russell’s Swordfish Club, the second oldest game fishing club in the world. It is a wunderkammer of game fishing history. Wives, makes sure you don’t leave your husbands behind. Afterwards, you will be given a guided tour along The Strand to a significant Maori Reserve, followed by Kororareka Marae, Christ Church & cemetery - the oldest church in NZ, & finishing the tour at the Russell Museum. There is time to explore the local village, admire its natural & architectural beauty, & do some shopping before embarking the ferry back to Paihia.

Photography

Refreshments