Information about Bay of Islands, New Zealand

Information about Bay of Islands - New Zealand

The Bay of Islands region has the finest maritime park in New Zealand with the 144 Islands and secluded bays. The Bay has an abundance of marine life, including the big marlin, whales, penguins, dolphins, gannets and many other species.

The Bay with its pristine natural environment is the gathering place in the South Pacific for overseas sailing yachts on world cruises, international sport fishermen, golfers and marine enthusiasts.

The Bay of Islands was the site at which the earliest contact between the indigenous population and European settlers took place. Historic places include the treaty house, which houses the treaty of Waitangi; Captain Cook Memorial Museum; Flagstaff Hill (the flagpole was the scene of a historic confrontation between Maori and Pakeha, and was chopped down by the Maori leader Hone Heke); the oldest building in the country (Kemp House), and the oldest Church.

One of the most popular attractions is the Hole in the Rock, off Cape Brett. You can take a boating trip through the hole in a huge rock outcrop. Also popular are dolphin swimming and diving trips to the sunken Rainbow Warrior wreck.

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