The Bay of Islands is an area in the Northland Region of the North Island of New Zealand. Located 60 km north-west of Whangarei, it is close to the northern tip of the country.
It is one of the most popular fishing, sailing and tourist destinations in the country, and has been renowned internationally for its big-game fishing since American author Zane Grey publicised it in the 1930s.
Geography
The bay itself is an irregular 16 km-wide inlet in the north-eastern coast of the island. A natural harbour, it has several arms which extend into the land, notably Waikare Inlet in the south and Kerikeri and Te Puna (Mangonui) inlets in the north-west. The small town of Russell is located at the end of a short peninsula that extends into the bay from the southeast. Several islands lie to the north of this peninsula, notably Urupukapuka Island to the east and Moturoa Island to the north. The Purerua Peninsula extends to the west of the bay, north of Te Puna Inlet, and Cape Brett Peninsula extends 10 km into the Pacific Ocean at the eastern end of the bay.
History
The first European to visit the area was Captain Cook, who named the region in 1769. The Bay of Islands was the first area in New Zealand to be settled by Europeans. Whalers arrived towards the end of the 18th century, while the first missionaries settled in 1814. The first full-blooded European child recorded as being born in the country, Thomas King, was born in 1815 at Oihi Bay in the Bay of Islands. (There have been unsubstantiated claims that a European girl was born earlier at the Dusky Sound settlement in the South Island.
The bay has many interesting historic towns including Paihia, Russell, Waitangi and Kerikeri. Russell, formerly known as Kororareka, was the first permanent European settlement in New Zealand, and dates from the early 1800s. Kerikeri contains many historic sites from the earliest European colonial settlement in the country. These include the Mission House, also called Kemp House, which is the oldest wooden structure still standing in New Zealand. The Stone Store, a former storehouse, is the oldest stone building in New Zealand, construction having begun on 19 April 1832.
In a 2006 study, the Bay of Islands was found to have the second bluest sky in the world, after Rio de Janeiro.
The Cream Trip
In 1886, Albert Ernest Fuller launched the "Undine" sailing ship in the Bay of Islands to deliver coal supplies to the islands within the Bay. With the fitting of a motor in the early 1900s, Fuller was able to deliver the coal and essential supplies to communities as far out as Cape Brett.
In 1927 Fuller acquired the "Cream Trip" from Eddie Lane - with the facilities on board to transport cream from the islands, and by the 1960s, the newly commissioned "Bay Belle" started this run. Although a modern catamaran now takes this historical route of the original The Cream Trip, the Bay Belle continues to transport visitors and locals between Paihia and Russell throughout the day.
See also
- Excitor, a jet boat trip
References
- ^ Dumé, Belle (2 August 2006). "World's bluest sky revealed". Optics.org . http://optics.org/articles/news/12/8/2/1 . Retrieved 14 August 2006 .
External links
- Fullers Bay of Islands
- Bay of Islands information bayofislands.net
- Bay of Islands maps
- New Zealand Community site
- Bay of Islands Street Map
- Bay of Islands Area Guide
- The rock overnight cruise
Coordinates: 35°12′S 174°10′E / 35.2°S 174.167°E / -35.2;
Pismo Beach California Hotels, Pismo Beach Hotel, Shell Beach Resort
The Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa is located near Pismo Beach, California. One of Shell Beach's top resorts and hotels. Dolphin Bay blends comfort and style. We are a member of ...
Diving in Fiji, Holiday Accommodation - Dolphin Bay Divers
Dolphin Bay Divers provides diving in Fiji. Holiday accommodations and more. Contact us for more information on our beach paradise and the prices we offer.
Dolphin Bay Hideaway
Tranquility and nature lovers paradise, Dolphin Bay, Bocas del toro, Panama, Accommodations,Bed and Breakfast, Dolphin watching,kayaking, Jungle hikes, Snorkeling
Crete Island - Dolphin Bay Holiday Resort
Dolphin Bay Holiday Resort in Heraklion, Crete, Greece ... t the beach of Amoudara, in a distance of 7 kilometers from downtown Heraklion and 12 kilometers from the International ...
Dolphin Bay Films seeks screenplays and projects for production
Dolphin Bay Films is an independent film and television production company located in the heart of the United States. We were formed to develop, finance, and produce feature films.
Dolphin Bay Suites
self catering holiday accommodation near Inverness, near Loch Ness, in the Highlands of Scotland.
Dolphin Bay Fundraising |
Welcome to DBF. Dolphin Bay Fundraising is your fundraising solution. We offer several options to best fit your needs. Mouse over our options to the side of this message to find ...
Aloha & Welcome to Dolphin Bay House Vacation Home, Kealakekua, Kona ...
Dolphin Bay House - Hawaiian Vacation Home, Kealakekua, South Kona, Hawaii
Dolphin Bay Real Estate
Dolphin Bay Real Estate is a market leader in the Sunshine Beach Real Estate scene selling houses, land and units, also a large number of permanent and holiday rentals
Dolphin Bay Resort
Welcome To Our Hotel. Welcome to our hotel near Coco Beach on bayside, facing the Arabian Sea.We the team from "Dolphin Bay Hotel", would like to welcome you to beautiful hotel of ...