2025 Rawhiti Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in October)

#tesaruonbudget The Cape Brett Track is a challenging but rewarding coastal tramp through native bush, past secluded bays, and along dramatic cliffs. The full hike stretches 16.3 km to the historic lighthouse, offering epic views of the Bay of Islands. While there’s a small fee for overnight hut stays, day walkers can enjoy much of the track for free. The rugged beauty, abundant birdlife, and turquoise waters make every step worth it—especially for budget-conscious adventurers chasing unforgettable vistas.

Boat trip to the Hole in the Wall, along the way view dolphins, seals and penguins. Amazing coastline.

| Embark on a dreamlike encounter with dolphins. Paihia, New Zealand | A Dreamlike Encounter with Dolphins 🐬 Paihia, a small town in the North Island of New Zealand, is like a blue dream hidden on Earth, a perfect sanctuary for encountering dolphins. When you step into these crystal-clear waters, you'll embark on a wondrous adventure, dancing with these adorable creatures, and feeling nature's gentle gifts every second. 🌊Bay of Islands: The Starting Point of a Dream Journey The Bay of Islands is where all good stories begin. The bay's azure waters sparkle like a giant sapphire, so clear that you can see fish darting through them. Colorful houses dot the shore, complementing the blue sky and white clouds, creating a picturesque scene perfect for photos. Stroll along the coastal path, the gentle sea breeze caressing your face, carrying the unique salty scent of the ocean, sweeping away all your worries. As you board the boat and sail away from the harbor, your heart will beat faster, filled with anticipation for your first encounter with dolphins. 🐬Dancing with Dolphins: An Unforgettable Experience Dolphin watching in Paihia is undoubtedly the highlight of this trip! As the boat heads out to the open sea, experienced crew members will use their expertise to track dolphins. Once dolphins are spotted, the whole boat comes alive! These agile blue spirits leap and frolic among the waves, sometimes soaring high above the surface, their bodies graceful and streamlined, creating beautiful arcs; sometimes diving quickly into the water, leaving behind a trail of glistening spray. They will also curiously approach the boat, playing around it, as if warmly welcoming visitors from afar. If you're brave enough to jump into the water, you can have a close encounter with the dolphins. In the clear water, watching their bright eyes and smooth bodies, feeling them swimming freely around you, the awe and emotion are beyond words, as if time stands still for this moment. 🐋Bay of Islands: A Natural Paradise for Dolphins The Bay of Islands, where Paihia is located, is made up of 144 islands scattered like pearls, a natural paradise for dolphins. The rich marine ecosystem provides them with abundant food, while the warm waters and complex bay terrain create a safe and comfortable habitat. Cruising through the Bay of Islands, you'll see dolphins in small groups, some chasing and playing in the shallows, others gracefully swimming in the deeper waters. Besides dolphins, if you're lucky, you might encounter other marine life, such as adorable seals basking lazily on the rocks, or giant whales occasionally surfacing to spout high columns of water. Every surprising discovery adds to the journey's charm. 🌟Cape Brett Lighthouse: Romance and Surprise Cape Brett Lighthouse stands at the northernmost tip of the Bay of Islands, one of New Zealand's most famous lighthouses and a great spot for dolphin watching. The scenic walk up to the lighthouse is picturesque, with waves crashing against the coastal rocks, creating layers of white foam. Standing at the lighthouse, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the vast sea, with groups of dolphins appearing and disappearing on the sparkling surface. As the sun sets, the golden rays cast a warm glow on the sea, turning the whole world golden, and the dolphins are also edged with gold, creating a dreamlike beauty. A dolphin tour in Paihia is a natural adventure filled with surprise and emotion. Here, you can not only witness the adorable dolphins but also deeply feel the magic and beauty of nature.

#newzealandtrip Cape Brett Lighthouse, on New Zealand’s northeastern tip, offers breathtaking coastal views and rich maritime history. Reachable via the challenging 16 km Cape Brett Track (6–8 hours one way), the hike traverses native bush and dramatic cliffs. The historic 1906 lighthouse stands near a DOC hut, perfect for overnight stays. Keep an eye out for dolphins, whales, and seabirds. Whether hiking or arriving by boat, this is a must-visit destination for nature and adventure lovers.

#watersports I had an unforgettable surfing experience at Elliot Bay! The consistent waves and stunning coastline made for a perfect day. Expert instructors provided personalized guidance, helping me catch waves with ease. I loved the adrenaline rush and sense of accomplishment. Elliot Bay's laid-back vibe and picturesque views added to the experience. Tips: Check tide times, rent quality gear, arrive early Will I return? Absolutely! Elliot Bay is a must-visit surf spot for beginners and pros alike. The combination of natural beauty, knowledgeable staff, and thrilling waves makes it an unforgettable adventure.

New Zealand's Bay of Islands beautiful scenery picturesque New Zealand's North Island Bay of Islands (Bay of Islands), in addition to its rich history and culture, the natural beauty of the awe-inspiring, rich marine wildlife is also A major feature here, and on the third day of my New Zealand North Island trip, I took a dolphin on this beautiful bay. Take the Fullers Great Sights luxury yacht for dolphins, and the sea breeze on the spacious deck, we are looking forward to it. Island Bay View Dolphin Island Bay is rich in marine life resources and maintains a good original ecology. When you cruise on the sea, you can see a lot of marine life, the most We are looking forward to dolphins. Starting in the morning, it will take about 3 hours to cruise around the sea. In addition to waiting for the appearance of dolphins, there will be many islands with characteristic island bays. This bay with 144 islands has many characteristics. The island, a lot of strange geological appearance is amazing. Our luck is not very good, the dolphins are going on vacation someday, so we regret not seeing it, but there is a little good Sights that is particularly good if you cant see it by boat. To the dolphins, as compensation, you can take their cruises to the sea for free in the afternoon, or tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, or even a few years, until you see the dolphins. But we didn't see the dolphins, but we were lucky enough to see the little whales, which was an unexpected surprise. Motu Kkako Island Rose in the Cave On the way to the dolphins, the experienced captain will take us to see the rock cave on the island of Motu Kkako, which is a natural piece The hole formed in the middle of the rock, if not in person, it is hard to feel how amazing the wonders of nature are. When the weather is good, you can also take a yacht through the narrow caves to see this sea wonder more closely. Russell Russell Town Russell Russell Town and Paihia Town are separated by a shallow strait. It takes about 15 minutes by boat to reach the other side. It is very convenient. So when you arrive at Paihia, you must take a stroll through the town of Russell. This town is now quiet and peaceful, but it has a reputation in history. During the colonial period, as an important trading center, Russell became New Zealands first capital and it was remembered by many people. . There is only peace here, and it takes only an hour to take a small bus to get around this town. On the way, the driver will explain in detail to the local architecture with rich Maori culture and European colonial culture. There are not many tourists in the town, but there are quite a few restaurants and shops. It is very suitable for slowly wandering. In the warm winter sun, the wind blows from the harbor, and people feel that time has slowed down.