Bay of Islands Walking Weekend runs from 9 to 11 October
Published on 10/11/2026 at 07:44 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSKey points in brief
- The Bay of Islands Walking Weekend runs from 9 to 11 October 2026 across locations near Paihia and Russell.
- The programme includes more than 20 guided walks ranging from 2 km to 21 km in length.
- Routes include Waitangi, Paihia, Haruru Falls, Te Wahapu, Moturua and Urupukapuka.
- Paihia and Russell provide visitor hubs for exploring the wider Bay of Islands region by land and water.
The Bay of Islands Walking Weekend runs from 9 to 11 October 2026 across the coastal and island landscapes around Paihia in New Zealand. The programme brings more than 20 guided walks to the region, with routes ranging from 2 km to 21 km.
The weekend links Paihia and nearby settlements with walking routes across one of New Zealand's best-known island regions. It is a current event for travellers who want to explore the area on foot rather than only from the water.
Bay of Islands Walking Weekend brings 20 walks to Northland
The programme includes walks around Waitangi, Paihia, Haruru Falls and Te Wahapu, as well as routes on Moturua and Urupukapuka. The Northern Advocate reported that about 60 volunteers are involved, while the event is run by a charitable trust and is not for profit.
Local guides lead the walks, according to the walking weekend details. The programme is structured for different fitness levels and ages, and the walks cover both natural and historical settings across the district.
Routes connect Paihia with islands, bays and history
The area contains more than 144 islands, with Paihia, Russell, Waitangi and Opua forming its main visitor hubs. Northland's official visitor organisation describes the region as a place where boating, sailing, kayaking and walking meet a landscape shaped by natural and cultural history.
That setting gives the October programme a clear local character: the event does not use one single venue, but turns bays, waterfalls, settlements and island tracks into its stages. The routes also sit within a wider historical landscape that includes the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where Te Tiriti o Waitangi was signed in 1840, according to Northland's regional guide.
The Northern Advocate lists the event dates as 9, 10 and 11 October 2026 and identifies walks around the mainland bays and the two islands. Its report also describes new and returning routes, including a walk around Elliot Bay and a route on private land.
What the October walking programme means for access
Each walk has no more than 20 people, and the event information says participants should book in advance. That makes the weekend different from an open-ended trail visit: the available experience depends on the individual walk and its capacity.
The programme also includes a Saturday evening dinner in Russell, but the walking routes remain the central public element. The event's charitable structure means its organisation is separate from a commercial tour operator, while the guided format provides local knowledge on the routes.
Visiting Bay of Islands: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- The Bay of Islands Walking Weekend takes place from 9 to 11 October 2026, with walks around Paihia, Waitangi, Haruru Falls, Te Wahapu, Moturua and Urupukapuka.
- Walks are guided and limited to no more than 20 people each, so advance booking is part of access to the programme.
- Routes range from 2 km to 21 km and have different grades, so the terrain and physical demands vary between walks.
- Paihia and Russell are visitor hubs for the region. Boat trips and passenger ferries depart from Paihia and Russell, while Urupukapuka and Moturua are reached by water for the island routes.
The event runs through 11 October 2026, giving visitors a fixed walking programme within the wider coastal landscape of Northland.
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Frequently asked questions about Bay of Islands
When does the Bay of Islands Walking Weekend take place?
The event runs from 9 to 11 October 2026 across routes near Paihia, Russell and surrounding bays and islands.
Where are the Bay of Islands walks held?
Routes include Waitangi, Paihia, Haruru Falls, Te Wahapu, Moturua and Urupukapuka.
What is the Bay of Islands?
It is a coastal island region in New Zealand with more than 144 islands, visitor hubs including Paihia and Russell, and sites linked to the country's cultural history.
