Ride Opua to Russell
Duke of Marlborough
Ride to Russell on e-bikes or mountain bikes.
Are You Staying In The Bay of Islands And Looking For Something To Do? Why Not Explore Historic Russell On Either A Mountain Or E-bike.
Why not come to us in Opua Marina, hire a Mountain or E-bike, take the Car Ferry (cost $1) which is 500 metres from our office and ride to historic Russell.
Places Of interest include:
Rocky Bay Reserve
After getting off the car ferry, Rocky Bay Reserve is only a few kilometres along the road to Russell. The views across the bay are quite spectacular.
Flag Staff Hill (Te Maiki), It was on this spot in the 1840s, Māori cut the signal flagstaff down four times in protest against the British government. This led to the start of a long conflict between the Northern Maori and the British Army.
You will enjoy stunning 360-degree views of the whole Bay of Islands and some great photo opportunities.
Long Bay
This bay is a few kilometres from Flagstaff Hill and is one of Russell’s best beaches, it offers riders an opportunity for a swim.
Duke of Marlborough
No trip to Russell is complete without a visit to the Duke of Marlborough, New Zealand’s oldest licensed pub! Today “The Duke” is world renowned for its excellent food and extensive wine cellar. Our visit will allow time for lunch and a stroll along the picturesque promenade.
Pompallier Mission House
Built in the French provincial style, it was established by Bishop Jean-Baptiste Pompallier as the headquarters of the Roman Catholic mission to Western Oceania in 1841.
In October 1842, the first Maori translations of the Bible were ready, and the print shop, complete with bookbindery and tannery, began production. Bishop Pompallier and his Marist missionaries printed almost 40,000 religious’ texts in Maori here in eight years.
Christ Church
Christ Church (the oldest church in New Zealand, famed for the bullet-holes in its walls). The church is the oldest existing church in NZ today, and possibly the oldest building still used for its original purpose. According to official records, the first service was on 3 January 1836 when William Williams from Paihia mentions taking one in the ‘new chapel’. Services were conducted in both English and Maori languages.
A typical ride is around 20 kilometres from start to finish.
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Call us on 0800 891 340, use the contact form on this page or email us on sales@nsebh.co.nz
