Discover the Real Russell: Your Unique One-Hour Tour with Passionate Local Guides
Visiting the stunning Bay of Islands? Don’t just wander through Russell – truly experience its incredible stories and sights with Russell Mini Tours! Our guided tour is the perfect way to discover the heart and soul of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most historic town, packed with fascinating tales and iconic landmarks, all brought to life by our passionate local guides.
Departs:
From Russell Wharf Year-Round
10 AM, 11 AM, 1 PM, 2 PM. Additional 3 PM departure summer only (Oct-Apr)
Prices:
Adults $35
Children (5-14 yrs) $17.50
Under 5s FREE!
Duration:
A perfectly paced 60 minutes
Special Combo: Bay Cruise & Historic Russell Tour!
Make the most of your time in the stunning Bay of Islands! We’ve partnered with the operators of the iconic Hole in the Rock Dolphin Cruise to offer you a fantastic combo deal where you can experience the best of the Bay by sea and land – and save!
Why Choose Russell Mini Tours?
Your Entertaining Journey Through Time (Led by Local Experts!)
Step aboard our comfortable, air-conditioned mini-coach and let us whisk you away on an adventure through the captivating – and sometimes wild! – past of Russell, also known by its historic name Kororāreka. During its time as Aotearoa New Zealand’s first seaport, it was a bustling, lawless frontier town where whalers, adventurers, and escaped convicts mingled. Our guides aren’t just drivers; they’re passionate local experts bursting with enthusiasm and deep knowledge. They share the gripping stories, hidden secrets, and local insights that you won’t find in guidebooks, bringing Russell’s vibrant history and culture to life right before your eyes. Prepare to be entertained!
See Russell’s Key Highlights in Just One Hour!
Short on time but eager to see it all? We’ve got you covered! Our cleverly designed route ensures you experience the very best of Russell, visiting key historical sites and breathtaking viewpoints that are often tricky to reach on foot.
A Uniquely Engaging Tour
This isn’t just a drive-by commentary. It’s an intimate, engaging experience designed to give you a rich understanding and appreciation of Russell’s crucial role in Aotearoa New Zealand’s history, delivered with personality and passion. You get the stories, the sights, and the local perspective, all wrapped up in a comfortable one-hour tour.
Do. This. Tour.
Mar 2025 • Solo
This was easily my favourite part of my visit to the Bay of Islands. Now, you may wonder, how could a one hour mini tour of Russell be the best part of a visit to one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand? Well I’ll tell you, folks: Shane. An absolute treasure of a human being. Shane provides an incredibly informative and delightful hour long overview of the history of the town and area. He is clearly very knowledgable, and although there is a lot of information to take in, he presents it in a fun, memorable, and accessible way. What stood out to me the most, however, is his obvious love and commitment to his community. It was truly a beautiful thing to see. His enthusiasm for Kororareka Russell, its history, and its inhabitants is infectious. A must do if you’re visiting the area. Thank you Shane for a wonderful tour!
Tour Highlights: What You’ll Discover
Flagstaff Hill (Te Maiki):
Offering stunning panoramic views and steeped in history.
Tapeka Point:
Journey out to Tapeka Point for coastal vistas on the other side of Maiki hill. Head down the road to a sandy beach in the shadow of a craggy headland. A pā once stood at the top of the hill.
Christ Church:
NZ’s oldest surviving church – look closely for the musket ball holes!
Pompallier House:
A beautifully preserved Catholic Mission building, NZ’s oldest existing industrial building.
The Duke of Marlborough:
The country’s first pub to get a New Zealand liquor licence in 1840.
Oneroa (Long Beach):
Take in the beauty of Oneroa, a gorgeous long sandy beach on the other side of the peninsula from Russell.
Don’t miss out on this essential Russell experience!
Charter coach hire – Bay of Islands
Russell Mini Tours offer coaches for charter services in the Bay of Islands.
We have two coaches and a mini van for your transport requirements. For weddings or any other event we offer transport to and from your venue and can accommodate 21 and 18 per coach and 9 for the mini van.
We also offer transport from and to Kerikeri and Whangarei airports.
Project Island Song
Project Island Song is a wildlife sanctuary in the Bay of Islands. It is a collaboration between ngā Hāpu o Te Rawhiti, Ngāti Kuta and Patukeha, and the Guardians of the Bay of Islands community group. Together, the vision is to protect, sustain and help restore the natural wildlife of the Ipipiri archipelago, to enable this special place and people to thrive now and for future generations.
Russell Mini Tours is committed to supporting the vital work of Project Island Song – enabling the islands and its precious wildlife to flourish for future generations to enjoy.
You can help, too! For more information about Project Island Song or to make a donation or become a member please visit www.projectislandsong.co.nz.