Kerikeri, located in the Northland of the North Island, is an exciting holiday destination.
As you land at Kerikeri Airport, you'll notice that this particular spot is quite unlike the New Zealand scenery that you’ve likely seen in images in the past. No, instead of misty mountains and rugged, wild scenery, this tropical location has blue seas, golden sands, and spectacular weather most of the year.
It’s true when they say that Kerikeri is the gateway to one of the most beautiful regions in the country: the Bay of Islands. With many islands to explore off the mainland and plenty of historic landmarks, exciting destinations, and beautiful beaches, this holiday will be one to remember!
It’s best to have a car while you’re holidaying here. You’ll want to fit in as much as you can while staying in the area, and the easiest way to do this is with a rental car. Thankfully you can do just that, so book a rental car with us at Hertz Kerikeri Airport and have the best holiday possible.
Drive around Kerikeri in your Rental Car
There’s so much to do while in Kerikeri.
You could visit Rainbow Falls, an impressive 27-metre high waterfall with remarkable views from the vantage points. While you can view the falls from above, it’s also a great idea to hike down to the bottom, as looking up and both seeing and hearing the water thunder down from above can be exhilarating.
Kerikeri is renowned for its delicious produce. The climate here means an abundance of fresh and local foods are available, all of which you can try while holidaying in the town. Here, you’ll find chocolate, fruit, and of course, wine. Why not try out Makana Chocolate Factory for those with a sweet tooth. And of course, you must visit the thriving wine region here too. You could spend a whole afternoon winery hopping from Ake Ake Vineyard, Fat Pig Vineyard, Marsden Estate, and Cottle Hill Winery. Please always have a designated driver in tow while enjoying your fun afternoon here.
Explore the Bay of Islands with Hertz
Kerikeri is one of the inland regions of the Bay of Islands. You’ll want to add a few days to explore this location before heading elsewhere. The Bay of Islands is a magical location with magnificent beaches, dense forests and thundering waterfalls; it’s a beautiful place to enjoy a holiday.
While you could spend most of your time enjoying Kerikeri and what it offers, one day of your trip should be dedicated to Paihia. It’s just a 25-minute drive from Kerikeri and is the main tourist town in the area. From here, simply select one of the many activities on offer!
You could book a boat tour that sails through some of the islands in the area. There are plenty of boat tours on offer with a half-day option, which is perfect if you’re travelling into the town and want to make the most of your time here with other activities. The boat will go past the Hole in the Rock, an important historic spot with great cultural significance according to Māori legend. Local warriors used to paddle through the Hole in the Rock in their canoes before a battle. It would be considered good luck if a drop of water fell on them during this process. You’ll get to experience this for yourself, as your expert skipper will navigate your boat through the hole while telling this tale.
After the boat tour, perhaps head out onto the water again to spot some dolphins. Dolphins can be seen from one of the many dolphin tour boats in the area, as well as kayaking options too. Always keep an eye out for dolphins whenever you’re close to the ocean, as they’re likely never too far away from here!
There are plenty of other activities to do while in Paihia: with great cafes, restaurants, horse riding excursions and water-based activities, you might come back multiple times while staying in Kerikeri.
Kerikeri is a fantastic base for a Bay of Islands holiday. Pick up your rental car from Hertz Kerikeri Airport before heading off in this tropical paradise.
