Imagine sitting on a bench with a small cup of ice cream. In front of you are colorful boats filling a harbor. Behind you is a man playing an acoustic guitar and singing covers of classic rock songs for a small audience in a beautiful old hotel. To your right is a row of waterfront houses with white picket fences and lush gardens. To your left is a block-long strip of storefronts and restaurants with views of the water. This was Russell, New Zealand.
If you have that picture in your head, then you are starting to understand what our weekend was like. This is a small town in the Bay of Islands reachable by a ferry or a long winding road.
There was a certain feeling I had while in Russell. The happiest things hit all five of my senses. The breeze from the bay on my face, the smell of all the flowers, the sounds of good music, the taste of ice cream, and the blocks lined with perfectly landscaped front gardens. I wish I could bottle it up and open it whenever I wanted to return back.
I wanted to share all the reasons why Russell, New Zealand should be on your radar and how to spend your weekend there.
A Weekend Guide to Russell, New Zealand
We only had a weekend to explore the little town of Russell, but it ended up being our favorite place on the North Island. We stayed at a newly remodeled motel called the Duke Motel. Click here to get more information. It was perfect for our stay. We had a small kitchen, living room area, comfortable bedroom and a spacious bathroom.
Eat at One of the Restaurants Downtown
The downtown area was only a block away from our hotel. We would slowly stroll down there a few times a day when we were ready for a cold glass of Sauvignon Blanc or a bite. There was a music festival in town the same weekend, so we were lucky enough to see all kinds of live performances while sipping coffee and during afternoon snacking. Butterfish and The Gables were the restaurants we absolutely loved. Great seafood, great desserts, and perfect views.
See Russell, New Zealand from Above
With our free afternoon, we made our way to the top of Flagstaff Hill and spent a while just sitting on the bench, taking in the 360-degree views of the surrounding harbors and hills. This lookout is only about 30 minutes from the “downtown,” and it gives you views of the entire peninsula.
Enjoy Waterfront Sunsets
Sunsets might have been my favorite part of the day here. Both nights, there were a few clouds in the sky, which helped light the horizon up. Everyone that is positioned on the water will have a view for you, so grab a table and a glass of wine and watch nature put on a show.
This town truly felt like something you would only see in a TV show or movie. It was a dream come true. Do yourself a favor and add Russell, New Zealand, to your list so that you can fall in love with it, too. It was an absolute delight on our North Island road trip.
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