After nearly two hundred years, I’ve learnt one thing about visitors.
They spend far too much time worrying about the weather. Russell doesn’t – Neither should you.
If you’re wondering about things to do in Russell during winter, the answer is rather simple.
Walk a little further.
Eat a little longer.
Learn a little history.
Watch the sunset.
And if it rains – simply do it all anyway.
Winter simply asks you to swap another pair of jandals for a decent jacket
You see, while everyone else is waiting for summer, we’re quietly enjoying one of the loveliest times of the year. So, if you’ve been wondering whether winter is a good time to visit Russell, allow me to let you in on a few local secrets…
First, take a walk
One thing I’ve learnt over the years is that Russell was never meant to be rushed.
This is a place for wandering.
There are walks for every kind of visitor. Some people like to wander the Russell waterfront with a takeaway coffee in hand, watching the ferries come and go. Others head straight for Flagstaff Hill, where the views stretch across the Bay of Islands and somehow make every step worthwhile.
If you’re staying a little longer, venture onto one of the many walking tracks around Russell. Some weave through native bush, others hug the coastline, and almost all of them reward you with another view you’ll want to stop and admire.
For more ideas, see our full guide to things to do in Russell.
History isn’t something you visit here… it’s something you walk through
Russell has always had stories to tell.
Long before it became Russell, this was Kororāreka, one of New Zealand’s earliest European settlements and a place where cultures, commerce and colourful characters all found themselves sharing the same shoreline.
Visit Christ Church, New Zealand’s oldest surviving church, and you’ll still find musket ball marks in the walls.
Climb Flagstaff Hill, where one of New Zealand’s defining historical moments unfolded, and you’ll begin to understand why this small seaside town holds such an important place in our nation’s story.
If history is your sort of thing, spend an hour wandering through the Russell Museum, then continue to Pompallier Mission and Printery, where beautifully preserved buildings and working printing presses bring another chapter of Russell’s past to life.
The wonderful thing about Russell is that history doesn’t sit quietly in museums.
It spills onto the footpaths, lingers along the Russell waterfront and waits around almost every corner.
We Kiwis do like talking about the weather…
It’s practically one of our national hobbies.
But while the forecast might dominate conversation, it should never dictate your holiday.
Winter in Russell has a habit of changing its mind.
If the rain decides to stay for a little while, here’s what I’d do:
Browse Russell’s boutique shops and galleries.
Spend an hour at the Russell Museum.
Explore Pompallier Mission and Printery.
Catch the passenger ferry to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.
Play a round of golf, winter is when the locals often have the course to themselves.
Or simply settle in for a long lunch and watch the harbour do its thing.
Russell, the perfect base for exploring the Bay of Islands
One of the best things about staying in Russell is that you don’t have to choose between slowing down and seeing more.
While Russell is wonderfully peaceful, it’s also perfectly placed to explore the rest of the Bay of Islands.
Spend a morning cruising out to the Hole in the Rock, discover Urupukapuka Island, visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, head out on the water to spot dolphins, or explore the many beaches, walks and hidden bays that make this part of New Zealand so special. Try some adventure, parasailing or mountain biking to name a few.
The passenger ferry to Paihia runs regularly throughout the day, making it easy to enjoy everything the Bay of Islands has to offer before retreating somewhere a little quieter.
And if you’re making a weekend of it, and I think you should, there’s something rather lovely about waking up on the Russell waterfront. No rushing for ferries or finding a park. Just coffee, the harbour outside your window, and another day waiting to be explored.
Lunch should never be rushed
I’ve never quite trusted anyone who says they’re “just popping in for a quick lunch.”
Around here, they’re usually the ones still sitting on the deck three hours later.
If you’re staying in Russell, allow yourself a leisurely lunch at The Duke of Marlborough, one of the best Russell restaurants and New Zealand’s oldest licensed hotel.
Our waterfront restaurant has been welcoming travellers for generations, and there are few better places to enjoy fresh Northland produce while watching yachts, ferries and the occasional dolphin drift across the bay.
If your adventures take you across the water to Paihia, make time to visit our sister restaurant, Charlotte’s Kitchen. Sitting right on the wharf, it’s another wonderful place to enjoy long lunches, local seafood and wood-fired pizzas while soaking up the ever-changing view.
Now, let me tell you a little secret…
Everyone talks about Bay of Islands sunsets in summer. I think winter sunsets quietly steal the show.
I’ve never quite worked out whether it’s the cooler air, the clearer skies, or simply that winter gives us time to stop and notice. Whatever the reason, the sunsets just seem better somehow.
People often ask me where the best place is to watch them. Well of course I’m going to say the deck at The Duke of Marlborough.
Perhaps I’m a little biased. Then again, after nearly two centuries looking out over this harbour, I think I’ve earned that right.
Order your favourite drink and find a seat overlooking the water.
Getting to Russell
People often imagine Russell is tucked away on an island (spoiler alert, it’s not), but that’s part of its charm.
But it’s actually remarkably easy to reach.
Drive north from Auckland to Paihia.
Catch the passenger ferry across the bay into Russell.
Bringing the car? Take the short Opua vehicle ferry before enjoying one of Northland’s prettiest drives into town.
Once you’re here, you’ll soon discover that Russell isn’t just a destination, it’s the perfect place to base yourself while exploring everything the Bay of Islands has to offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do in Russell in winter?
Slow down and walk the waterfront, climb Flagstaff Hill, spend an hour at the Russell Museum, and settle in for a long lunch. Winter in Russell is about fewer crowds, quiet charm and some of the best sunsets of the year.
Is Russell worth visiting in winter?
Yes. Winter brings mild days, quieter streets and a slower pace, perfect for walking, history and long lunches without the summer crowds.
How do you get to Russell?
Drive north from Auckland to Paihia, then take the short passenger ferry across the bay into Russell. Bringing a car? Use the Opua vehicle ferry instead.
What is there to do in Russell on a rainy day?
Browse the boutique shops and galleries, spend an hour at the Russell Museum, explore Pompallier Mission and Printery, or simply settle in for a long lunch and watch the harbour do its thing.
So, until next time…
You’ll probably find me on the deck at The Duke, watching the ferries come and go, keeping half an eye on the weather (purely so I’ve got something to talk about), and enjoying Russell at its most relaxed.
If you’re looking for a winter escape that’s a little slower, a little quieter and full of character, I’d love you to come and discover what Russell and the Bay of Islands have to offer this time of year.
– The Duchess
About the Duchess
The Duchess has been welcoming visitors to Russell for almost 200 years. She occasionally enlists ChatGPT to help with the typing as she is a terrible speller and can go on a bit. The stories, however, are entirely her own.