Step back in time with a 1 hour tour of historic Russell

Russell, known until the early 1840s as Kororāreka, was the first permanent European settlement and sea port in New Zealand. The Bay of Islands offered a safe anchorage and in the 1830s Russell was a lawless trading centre where whalers, seafarers and merchants mixed with adventurers, deserters and escaped convicts from Australia.

Today the once “Hell Hole of the Pacific” is now a charming little township and offers a peaceful insight into New Zealand’s early history. The 1 hour Russell mini tour visits many of the town’s iconic locations including Flagstaff Hill, where in 1844–45 its signal flagstaff was cut down by Māori four times in a protest against the government. The action led to war.

The tour also visits a number of the original historic buildings including one of New Zealand’s oldest church sites Christ's Church and Pompallier Mission House, where in 1839 Bishop Jean Baptiste François Pompallier established the headquarters of what was known as the Catholic mission to Western Oceania at Kororāreka.

Pricing & Departures

Russell Mini Tour - 10am

Adult $29.00
Child (5-14) $14.50
Infant $0.00

Departs: 10:00 a.m.  Returns: 11:00 a.m.  Duration: 01:00 Hrs
2013-05-20 03:00:04

Russell Mini Tour - 11am

Adult $29.00
Child (5-14) $14.50
Infant $0.00

Departs: 11:00 a.m.  Returns: 12:00 p.m.  Duration: 01:00 Hrs
2013-05-20 03:00:04

Russell Mini Tour - 12pm

Adult $29.00
Child (5-14) $14.50
Infant $0.00

Departs: 12:00 p.m.  Returns: 1:00 p.m.  Duration: 01:00 Hrs
2013-05-20 03:00:04

Russell Mini Tour - 1pm

Adult $29.00
Child (5-14) $14.50
Infant $0.00

Departs: 1:00 p.m.  Returns: 2:00 p.m.  Duration: 01:00 Hrs
2013-05-20 03:00:04

Russell Mini Tour - 2pm

Adult $29.00
Child (5-14) $14.50
Infant $0.00

Departs: 2:00 p.m.  Returns: 3:00 p.m.  Duration: 01:00 Hrs
2013-05-20 03:00:04

Russell Mini Tour - 3pm

Adult $29.00
Child (5-14) $14.50
Infant $0.00

Departs: 3:00 p.m.  Returns: 4:00 p.m.  Duration: 01:00 Hrs
2013-05-20 03:00:04

Russell Mini Tour - 4pm

Adult $29.00
Child (5-14) $14.50
Infant $0.00

Departs: 4:00 p.m.  Returns: 5:00 p.m.  Duration: 01:00 Hrs
2013-05-20 03:00:04

Departure Point

Paihia: Maritime Building, waterfront.

Commentary

A full commentary is provided in English by your tour guide.

What to Bring

Hat, sunscreen, walking shoes and camera.