Local Attractions
Kerikeri, the citrus centre of the North, has a rich historical past and a fantastic cosmopolitan feel. Wander out of the motel and you are practically right in the heart of it all. Enjoy a wide range of quality cafes, restaurants or peruse the wonderful craft shops and unique local art. Superb vineyards nestle into the surrounding countryside. Kerikeri Stone Store and Mission House are only a few minutes drive.
You can enjoy live entertainment at The Turner Centre or movies at Cathay Cinema. Opposite the cinema on Sunday you will find the famous Kerikeri Farmers’ Market where Northlander’s come from far and wide to sell fresh produce.
Our boutique motel, is an ideal base from which to explore the North. We will provide you with the inside knowledge to become instant locals, and give you every opportunity to leave with memories that will last a lifetime.
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View Kerikeri’s Official Tourism Website for information and itinerary ideas
Other useful links
Dining
Restaurants
Kerikeri has an abundance of fine restaurants all within one kilometre of the motel.
Café Cinema
Cafe Cinema is an established restaurant, wine bar & cafe situated in Kerikeri town center right next to, yes you guessed it – the cinema. It’s cosy and it’s where the locals hang out. Specialising in honest food prepared with fresh local ingredients (with a Swedish influence) and designed to tempt the taste buds. Enjoy great ambience with guaranteed smiles and friendly, relaxed service. Whether you’re after a superb brunch, wine and nibbles, cafe lunch, relaxed evening dining, or just an excellent coffee, Cafe Cinema is be the place to be.
Black Olive
Relax on the deck and enjoy the sunset at the end of the day while enjoying a superb glass of Northland wine. Whilst the bar dining area is suitable for large groups, there is also the outdoor garden area and children’s playground. The Black Olive is the perfect casual place to have a wonderful evening. With a mouth watering selection of gourmet and traditional pizzas, seafood dishes or a juicy scotch fillet – you’ll find a delightful blend of great food, wine and service.
The Pear Tree
Nestled beside the Kerikeri River in the romantic Stone Store Basin, the Pear Tree Restaurant & Bar, is an historic Bay Of Islands landmark.The Pear Tree offers everything from a delicious brunch, coffee, casual drink and snack through to an inventive but unpretentious a la carte menu. Relax in the garden while the kids play in the park-like surroundings, unwind on the deck overlooking the water or get cosy in front of the open fire on those cooler days.
Wharepuke
This cafe & restaurant is set amongst a lush subtropical garden and serves European and Thai inspired food. A family owned and operated business, their passion is delicious, fresh, healthy food coupled with excellent service. This year Food at Wharepuke was proud to receive the prestigious award for the Michael Guys Cafe Magazine The Best Cafe in Northland. Prepare to be wowed!
Curry King
Genuine Indian cuisine and a family friendly atmosphere, this is a truly authentic Thai and Indian experience, from Indian Curry to Thai stir-fried. There is something for everyone and you need not worry about the hotness, they have a range of spices to suit everyone; from no heat at all to real Indian Hot!!
The Italians
A very busy eatery, and for good reason. Wonderful food. Very authentic and full of flavour. Cesare Stella, Italian chef, co-owner and operator offers an extensive menu covering meat, seafood, home made pasta, pizza plus daily specials. This is outstanding and authentic North Italian cuisine. If you want to experience a little piece of Italy right here in Kerikeri, this is your chance. Don’t be in a hurry though – this is real Italian dining.
Rock Salt
Rock Salt Bar and Restaurant is in a relaxed and stylish location in central Kerikeri has the comfortable surroundings ideal for meeting friend or dining out. Rock Salt provides great food and drink in a comfortable space allowing you to relax and enjoy a business lunch, after work drink or dinner and evening unwind with friends. During the day the airy relaxed environment is perfect for lunch in the town centre. The kitchen is open all day and serves a wide selection of homemade hot and cold food all prepared with, where possible, local ingredients.
Café’s
Keirkeri has a café culture and most café’s can be found within walking distance of the motel.
Kerikeri Bakehouse
The Kerikeri Bakehouse has been in business since 1995. With two sites operating in Kerikeri, all your bases are covered. From supplying a full range of bakery goods, to a full sit down style of breakfast and lunch menu, the great coffee just tops it off really.
Fishbone
The Fishbone has a great site in the centre of Kerikeri with seating both inside and out. The service is always friendly and prompt, even when busy. The coffee is excellent and always consistently so. The food is varied and always good for a light breakfast, lunch or morning muffin.
Zest
This family friendly Cafe offers breakfast & lunch with fantastic Chef’s specialties. Zest has great organic coffee, delicious food in a friendly inviting atmosphere in the heart of Kerikeri.
Santeez
Santeez is a unique cafe, offering an extensive breakfast, lunch and beverage menu and specialising in gluten and wheat free foods, so if you have a food allergy or belong to the coeliac society, then this is where you should be dining.
S’wich
Food here is always so fresh and the coffee is also excellent. The service is great, lots of smiles and very friendly. Best thing of all is they offer free wifi so you can be connected while enjoying a spot of lunch.
Café Cinema
Cafe Cinema is a cozy cafe where the locals hang out. Enjoy great ambience with guaranteed smiles and friendly, relaxed service. Whether you’re after a superb brunch, wine and nibbles, cafe lunch, relaxed evening dining, or just an excellent coffee, Cafe Cinema is the place to be.
Vineyards
Marsden Estate Winery
Just a few minutes’ drive from the Homestead, Marsden Estate offers wine sales, tastings and tours, with innovative cuisine to complement its award winning wines. It’s known for the relaxed atmosphere of its courtyard dining space overlooking the lake and vines, with innovative cuisine that showcases the unique flavours of the region.
Located on Wiroa Road, only 7 mins drive from motel.
Cottle Hill
Cottle Hill Winery is a small family-owned winery founded in 1996 by Michael and Barbara Webb who sailed from San Diego, California aboard their 35ft Island Packet yacht Sprig. Cottle Hill is a casual and relaxed winery experience. You can sample the award-winning wines and enjoy the stunning view from the highest peak in the Kerikeri area. We invite you to come and experience Cottle Hill Winery where our philosophy is: Wine is for everyday and everyone. Enjoy life, enjoy wine!
Located at the corner of SH10 and Cottle Hill Road, only 7 mins drive from motel.
Ake Ake Vineyard and Restaurant
AkeAke is a small boutique vineyard and winery producing quality hand made wine. The Vineyard restaurant is renowned for serving fresh seasonal produce to compliment their wines. Set amongst the vines, the restaurant is an ideal place for lunch dinner and functions. Ake Ake Vineyard is owned and run by John Clarke and Aynsley Quenault. They grow and make wine from grapes which are best suited to the vineyards terroir including our highly regarded award winning Chambourcin, Pinot Gris, Syrah, Chardonnay, Tempranillo and Sauviginon Blanc.
Located on Waimate North Road, 13 mins drive from motel.
Fat Pig Vineyard
Compact, quirky and user friendly is the best way to describe this Vineyard.
We are a small vineyard established in 2003.All grapes are grown on site with the exception of our Pinot-gris which comes from our family block in Takou Bay just 10 minutes up the road.
Located at 177 Puketotara Road, 15 minutes drive from motel.
Golfers Paradise
Kerikeri is surrounded by some of New Zealand’s finest golf courses.
Bay of Islands Golf Course
Distance from motel: just 1 minute away. The Bay of Islands Golf Club’s meticulously maintained 6,101 metre course is a true championship course. It makes wonderful use of the contours sculpted by the Puketotara Stream and the Kerikeri River and provides beautiful views of New Zealand native bush and birds. The greens and fairways are always immaculate and best of all, with our volcanic soil and sub-tropical climate it is playable 365 days a year!
Kauri Cliffs Golf Course
Distance from motel: 40 minutes drive The Kauri Cliffs golf course was designed and built by David Harman. The par 72 PGA championship golf course has been home to The Kiwi Challenge PGA Golf Event and the course is currently ranked 18th Greatest Golf Course in the World by Golf Magazine’s World Top 100 Course Ranking Panel who has compiled a list of the top 50 greatest golf courses of the last 50 years. If you are serious about golf this course is an experience you won’t forget.
Waitangi Golf Course
Distance from motel: 24 minutes drive Waitangi Course not only provides an exciting and ever changing challenge to the golfer but also the most tremendous panorama of sea and island views. Whether playing or caddying, golfers can enjoy vistas of the Bay of Islands and Russell, river and estuary views over Waitangi and Opua and rolling bush and forest views inland over Mount Bledisloe and Puketona. These views are complemented by well-groomed greens and fairways surrounded by areas of flowering native trees which provide sanctuary for many varieties of native birds.
Carrington Golf Course
Distance from motel: 1 hour 15 minute drive The Northland golf course at Carrington Resort is sited so as to provide a variety of vistas to the golfer. The course is located between sweeping ocean views to the north and east, and hill side vineyards of Karikari Estate to the south. The championship standard 18 hole Carrington golf course was inaugurated on 15 December 2003 in Northland region and designed by American golf course designer Matt Dye.
Tours
The Bay of Islands is home to Taiamai Tours heritage journeys and the Ngapuhi, New Zealand’s largest tribal Maori group. This interactive Waka experience provides a rare and unique insight into our ancient customs, rituals and traditions. It is only through involvement in our culture that you will gain a deeper understanding of who and what we really are. Our ancient histories and stories we share with you as we paddle our 40 ft Waka Taua (War Canoe) together on the tidal estuaries of the Waitangi River.
Puketi boasts some of the most spectacular scenery that Northland has to offer. Your guide, Ian Candy and his team take pleasure in showing visitors through the tranquil natural beauty of the ancient Puketi rain forest in the Bay of Islands. These are Department of Conservation approved guided tours of the Puketi Rain Forest.
It is a must see, must do experience! The guides will share with you stories, history, culture and a high standard of educational information to take away.
Not only is the Bay of Islands home to two amazing wreck diving sites; the Rainbow Warrior and HMNZS Canterbury, but we also have hundreds of incredible reefs with countless aquatic species on our doorstep.
Dave and Sue are recognised for their great customer service and awesome dive trips and PADI training, so whether you’re looking for a specialist dive on a pinnacle or intrigued to see what the underwater world has to offer – Dive North is probably the Bay’s best full service dive centre and charter operator.
Cruise through the sheltered waters of the Bay of Islands on Dolphin Seeker, the purpose built dolphin and whale watching catamaran. Keep a look out for common and bottlenose dolphins, whales and other marine life. Enjoy the views as you cruise past the Cape Brett Lighthouse, before arriving at the majestic Hole in the Rock – hold your breath as the skipper navigates through the narrow space and admire the rock walls, which soar above you.
Dolphins are some of the earth’s most fascinating creatures and we are blessed with their presence all year round. The Bay of Islands has the warmest waters in New Zealand, perfect for swimming with dolphins. This tour includes FREE SWIM with Dolphins!
Bus Tour to Cape Reinga via 90 mile beach
A visit to New Zealand is not complete without a journey to the top of the North Island – Cape Reinga (Te Rerenga Wairua). Uncover the wild beauty of this vast and untouched region that is rich in Maori culture and tradition. Pick up from motel daily.
Skydive Zone Bay of Islands offer 16500ft, 12000ft and 8000ft tandem skydiving for your first jump experience. Instruction begins with a short briefing, then you and your instructor share a tandem harness, freefalling from up to 16,500 feet at speeds of 120 mph (200kph) or more. After about a minute or more of free-fall, your instructor will open the dual-sized parachute, and together you’ll fly back to the ground for a soft landing.
Dotted with 144 islands and a myriad of secluded beaches, the entire region offers a fantastic opportunity to fish in waters that are rich with an abundance of sealife!
Fabulous horse riding (horse trekking) in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. From the volcano to the sea, you’ll ride through the forest while enjoying beautiful farmland and ocean views.
Experiences
Be sure not to miss the Historic Stone Store Basin and Rewa’s Village, a replica of a Pre European Maori fishing village.
The Stone Store is of national and international significance as the oldest surviving commercial building in New Zealand, demonstrating the early stages of the country’s connection with international trade. It is the oldest remaining building linked with the import of goods from overseas, the storage of produce grown in New Zealand and the bartering of goods with Maori. The building contains artifacts and displays of its history, and true to its origins, still sells a range of heritage-related merchandise reflecting its earlier days as a trading post and general store.
Only 5 minutes drive from the motel and free to look around.
This is a magical meandering walk along the river passing the old electicity station, which is fascinating and little rapids along the way, with the finnale of the falls themselves as a reward at the end. It is an easy walk, starting from the lovely park area near the Stone Store.
This is a chocolate boutique where they make speciality chocolates before your eyes (and you can have a go too!) and the products are the best chocolates you’ll find anywhere! They produce chocolates and other natural temptations that are perfect for special occasions, or a wonderfully special self-indulgent treat!
