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Historic Russell Tour

A visit to historic Russell is a must for anyone coming to the Bay of Islands. Our 4 hour guided tour will take in the places of interest. Including, Flagstaff Hill, Christ Church, Russell Museum.

A visit to historic Russell is a must for anyone coming to the Bay of Islands. Our 4 hour guided tour will take in the places of interest. Including, Flagstaff Hill, Christ Church, Russell Museum.

Highlights

  • Christ Church - New Zealand's oldest church and the scene of a critical battle in the Maori Wars
  • Flag Staff Hill - Enjoy stunning 360 degree views of the Bay of Islands from this important historic site - the Union Jack was first flown here in 1840, then chopped down four times up till 1845 as a symbolic gesture against British rule.
  • Russell Museum - It tells the stories of the first Polynesian arrivals in the Bay, through to the development of Russell / Kororāreka, from a small Māori fishing village, to a port of call for visiting ships and whalers to today's tourist town.
  • Pompallier House is a nineteenth-century building located in Russell, New Zealand which once served as the headquarters to the French Catholic mission to the Western Pacific. It once housed a printing press which produced religious material in Maori

Discover the charm and history of Russell, also known as Kororāreka, in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. As the first permanent European settlement and seaport in the country, Russell has a rich past to explore.

Stop 1: Christ Church

Visit New Zealand's oldest church, Christ Church, built in 1836. The land was purchased in 1834 with the agreement that both Māori and Europeans would have equal burial rights. The church, which saw action during the Battle of Kororāreka in 1845, still bears the marks of stray muskets and cannon balls. Wander through the cemetery and see the headstones of British soldiers and Māori chiefs who participated in the battle.

Stop 2: Flagstaff Hill

Experience breathtaking 360-degree views of the Bay of Islands from Flagstaff Hill, an important historic site. The Union Jack was first flown here in 1840 but was chopped down four times by Māori in protest against British rule.

Stop 3: Russell Museum

Learn about the fascinating history of Kororāreka Russell at the Russell Museum. From the first Polynesian arrivals to the development of Russell as a bustling port for visiting ships and whalers, the museum tells the story of this vibrant town.

Stop 4: Pompallier House

Explore Pompallier House, the 19th-century French Catholic mission headquarters. The house once contained a printing press for producing religious literature in the Māori language and a tannery for making leather goods.

End of Tour Options:

At the end of the tour, you can choose to enjoy lunch (not included in the ticket price) at one of Russell's many excellent cafes. We will provide a ferry ticket back to Paihia for your return. Alternatively, if you prefer not to have lunch, we will transport you back to Paihia in the tour van.

Join us for a day of history and stunning views in beautiful Russell!

Adult $195.00
Child $105.00 (Under 16)

What's included

  • All entrance fees and the ferry crossing in both directions.

Duration

  • Allow approximately 4 hours for the whole experience

Location

  • 69 Marsden Road
  • Paihia 0200
  • New Zealand

Child Friendly

  • This experience welcomes families with children.

Bad Weather Refunds

  • If your experience is cancelled by the operator (because of the bad weather, safety concerns, unscheduled maintenance etc) you will be entitled to a full refund.

Available Bookings from 23 Dec to 5 Jan 2025

Change Dates

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Mon 23 Dec
Tue 24 Dec
Wed 25 Dec
Thu 26 Dec
Fri 27 Dec
Sat 28 Dec
Sun 29 Dec
Mon 30 Dec
Tue 31 Dec
Wed 1 Jan
Thu 2 Jan
Fri 3 Jan
Sat 4 Jan
Sun 5 Jan

  • Adult$195.00
  • Child$105.00
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Qualmark Certification

This award identifies a business with a high level of professionalism, a keen awareness of the impact it has on the environment and a commitment to a customer centric approach.

This award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism business that consistently exceeds visitor expectations. Their proactive leadership and management ensure the business's focus on continuously improving their economic, social and environmental performance to create genuine, constantly evolving and sustainable tourism experiences.

This award recognises the best sustainable tourism businesses in New Zealand. It denotes exceptional customer experiences at the heart of everything the company does. This business is leading the way in making the New Zealand tourism industry a world class sustainable visitor destination.

When you see the Qualmark logo, your activity of choice is endorsed by New Zealand Tourism's official quality assurance organisation and backed by leaders in the industry. It's your trusted guide to iconic activities and experiences that are awarded for their exceptionally high level of quality, safety and sustainability.

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