Step off the plane into New Zealand's glorious Northland. Kerikeri is situated 245 kilometres north of Auckland, complete with history, culture and lush landscapes waiting to be discovered. As the popular saying goes, Kerikeri is “so nice, they named it twice”. Conveniently located in the arrivals hall of Bay of Islands/Kerikeri Airport, a hire car from Hertz will give you the ease and flexibility to take a drive around the region and discover the local artists, regional produce, boutique wineries and lush landscape.
Kerikeri’s must-see attractions
Be sure to explore the Kororipo Heritage Park, one of the most historically significant spots in New Zealand. The park features the Kerikeri Basin, which was the first place where New Zealand's two major cultures first met, lived, worked, and traded together. While exploring this unique spot, hike the many trails through lush forest, billowing waterfalls and historic reserves.
Spend your weekend like a local and visit a farmers market. The Bay of Islands Farmers Market is held in the Post Office car park on Hobson Avenue, and is held every Sunday from 8.30am to 12noon. The growers who sell at this market are from all over the Northland region, and sell fresh produce and artisan products. The other must-visit market is the Old Packhouse Market, open every Saturday and Sunday on Kerikeri Road. The Old Packhouse Market also offers a wide range of fresh produce, as well as a special market on Sundays that features many arts and crafts and vintage products.
Satisfy your sweet tooth with a trip out to Makana Confections, a hand-made boutique chocolate factory on Kerikeri Road. This cellar-style factory allows visitors to watch the chocolate-making process, taste a variety of samples and shop its adorable selection of fresh, quality products. Their wide selections of chocolates also make for excellent gifts.
Close to the Procter Library you can spot one of Chris Booth’s iconic stone sculptures, the Te Whiringa o Manoko (The interweaving of the cultures of Kerikeri).
New Zealand is known to produce some of the world's best wine. Be sure to find a designated driver, and visit the local cellar doors and indulge in the region's offering. The Cottle Hill Winery is a short six-minute drive out of town, and offers tastings and tours by American owners Michael and Barbara Webb, who will go out of their way to find a wine to best suit your taste. Kapiro Vineyard, a ten-minute drive from Kerikeri, is also worth a visit, with the option to stay at the vineyard’s bed & breakfast, should you wish to stay overnight. Another must-visit in the Kerikeri region is the Puketi Rainforest. While this forest is easily explored during the day, Adventure Puketi offers visitors the unique opportunity to visit the forest during the evening. As the day turns to night the forest comes to life, with sights, smells and sounds quite unlike anywhere else on earth.
Visit The Parrot Place on Mission Road and get to know this bird park and breeding centre that is home to around 300 birds from around the globe. Stroll through the subtropical gardens and aviaries and get up close and personal with these beautiful birds.
After a long day exploring Kerikeri, ensure you pay a visit to one of the local restaurants to ward off your hunger. Ake Ake Vineyard Restaurant is one of the town’s finer dining options, with fresh, seasonal produce on the menu. For good value, we highly recommend Cafe Jerusalem, which offers up delicious Middle Eastern food and friendly service. Don’t forget to try the baklava!
Going beyond Kerikeri
If you’re in Kerikeri for more than a day, take advantage of the surrounding attractions with a day trip out to the popular Rainbow Falls, a 27-metre single-drop waterfall found on the Kerikeri River just outside of town. A walking trail to the river and back takes only 20 minutes, and there are three viewing platforms at the top of the trail so you can take in this natural splendour from all angles. For those that want to get a little closer to the action, there are also kayaks for rent along the river.
Take your expedition through nature even further with a drive out to Puketi and Omahuta Forests and listen to the chirping of some of New Zealand’s rare and exotic birds. Feel like you’re a part of the forest itself when you walk along the wooden walkway that blends in with the magnificent ancient trees that envelop this scenic reserve.
Hertz Car Hire at Kerikeri Airport allows travellers to make the most of their visit to Kerikeri and all that the gorgeous Northland region has to offer.
