Discover Kerikeri at your own pace — whether you have a few hours or a few days. These suggested itineraries help you slow down, explore, and connect with the places, people, and flavours that make this part of the Bay of Islands so special.
Kerikeri Village & Historic Basin
Soak up the history at the Kerikeri Mission Station –Stone Store and Kemp House and Te Ahurea
Then head into the village to enjoy a relaxed coffee or poke around the shops.
This area combines history, scenery, and atmosphere—perfect for a gentle introduction to the town.
Artisan Avenue (Upper Kerikeri Road)
Just a few minutes’ drive from the village, Upper Kerikeri Road has quietly evolved into one of Northland’s most distinctive creative corridors.
We refer to this stretch as Artisan Avenue—a collection of established, highly regarded local businesses that together form a destination in their own right.
Here you can experience:
Makana Confections – handmade chocolates and sweet treats
Keri Berries Farm Store – fresh local produce and seasonal delights
Packhouse Market (weekends)– artisan market, food, crafts and local flavour
Kauri Workshop – locally crafted kauri woodwork and design
The Little Black Gallery – contemporary art and photography
Kaleo Designs – unique and distinctive wearable art, designed locally.
Take your time to browse, sample, and connect with the makers behind these experiences.
Many visitors find that the best way to experience Kerikeri is not by following a strict itinerary, but by allowing space to wander.
Consider:
Stopping when something catches your eye
Spending longer at places you enjoy
Returning to favourite spots during your stay
Kerikeri rewards curiosity and a slower pace.
A Note on Getting Around Kerikeri is a spread-out destination, and many of its most rewarding experiences are located along short scenic drives.
Having a car allows you to move easily between:
The historic river basin
Town centre boutiques and cafés
Coastal walks and beaches
Local artisans and food producers
For more detail, see our Getting Here & Getting Around guide.
Morning
Explore Kerikeri’s Heritage Basin
Visit the Stone Store, Kemp House, including surrounding, cultural and heritage sites
Explore riverside walks and gardens.
Lunchtime!
Enjoy a relaxed lunch
In the Basin, soak up the riverside view and sample tasty treats at the Plough & Feather.
Try Marsden Estate Winery — great food in a charming patio setting surrounded by vineyards.
Savour an authentic Italian dining experience at Sovrano Winery.
In the village, dine at Kai Mata — a foodies delight.
Afternoon:
Explore Your Interests – Poke around the village — explore our boutiques or go treasure hunting along our Op Shop trail.
Enjoy our natural surrounds — drive out to Opito Bay or Matauri Bay for coastal views, and a dip in the ocean, stunning beaches are only 25 minutes away – with locals favourites of Te Ngaere Bay and Matauri Bay.
Walking in the Manginagina Kauri Forest boardwalk in the Puketi Forest, pick your own blueberries and reward yourself with blueberry ice cream at Blue River Orchards, and more.
Head out to upper Kerikeri Road to explore the artists and artisans along ‘artisan avenue’ — the Makana chocolate factory, Kaleo Design wearable art studio, Keri Berry Farm Store, the Little Black Gallery, etc.
Afternoon
Wineries, Gardens & Coast – Depending on your interests, explore further afield:
Visit a local vineyard or cellar door
Walk through subtropical gardens
Take a short drive to nearby coastal viewpoints
Kerikeri’s surrounding landscape offers a beautiful contrast of forest, orchard, and coastline.
Kerikeri is not only a great destination in its own right, but is a great place to base your Far North Experience. As well as some unique experiences in its own right.
Arts, Artisan and Cultural Experiences
Heritage experiences at the historic Kerikeri Basin — including the Stone Store, Kemp House, Te Ahurea.
Art galleries and displays — The Little Black Gallery, the permanent visual arts collection at Turner Centre, Wharepuke Sculpture Park, a walking tour of public art around town, etc.
Performing arts (as available) — music, dance and theatre performances at Turner Centre, local theatrical productions by Kerikeri Theatre Company, film festivals and art film screenings at Cathay Cinema.
Artisans — the various artisans located along Kerikeri’s ‘Artisan Avenue’ (Makana chocolate factory, Kaleo Designs wearable art studio, Kauri Workshop, various craft and artisanal products at the Packhouse Market & The Merchants), and Living Nature’s natural skin care products.
Culinary artisans — including wineries (Marsden, the Landing, Sovrano), the Ferment wine bar, Mahoe Cheese, and numerous great cafes and restaurants.
Nature, Outdoor Activities & Regional Exploration
River walks — five waterfalls and kms of interlinking trails.
Kauri forest walks — Manginagina and Puketi Forest walks
Coastal exploration – beautiful drives along the east coast (Matauri Bay, Whangaroa harbour, Doubtless Bay, etc.) and to the west coast (Rawene, Opononi, Omapere).
Biking trails — the Pou Herenga Tai – Twin Coast Cycle Trail, Kerikeri to Waitangi bike trail.
Golf — Kerikeri Golf Club, Kauri Cliffs Golf Club, Kerikeri Mini-Golf.
Tours and Cruises – Paihia and Waitangi is only 20 minutes away and have a plethora of tours and cruises to chosse from.
Shopping Experiences
The basic daily needs are well covered — Kerikeri has two supermarkets, a chemist, several banks, and a variety of other shops offering goods and services.
Recreational shopping is definitely a strong suit for Kerikeri — there are numerous boutiques in the village, with their own in house designer as well as along upper Kerikeri Road (‘Artisan Avenue’) that offer great retail therapy opportunities.
Men — we have shops for you, too. Examples: The Man Cave, the BBQ Bay of Islands shop, the Ferment wine bar, and more.
For treasure hunters, check out Kerikeri’s bountiful “Op Shop Trail” for some incredible bargains. The trail includes ‘op shops’ for Hospice, Salvation Army, St. John, and SPCA. —plus the eclectic collection of 2nd hand purveyors at The Merchants – which houses numerous different owner operated “shops” – can be a coat rail or a full room of tresurers.
One of the best things about travelling with your dog in Kerikeri is just how easy it is to get out and explore. You don’t have to go far — some of the best walks start right on your doorstep, while others are just a short drive away. Please check the tracks for signs and whether they are off leash or not – always pick up after your dogs! (goes without saying).
Roland’s Wood — Quiet, Shady, Local Favourite – The Bluebells in Spring are spectacular!
Te Wairere Falls – the walk to Te Wairere Falls along the Wairoa Track by the side of the Wairoa stream. The track winds through native bush before opening to a hidden waterfall — the kind of spot where you’ll naturally slow down and take it all in.
Waitotara Road — Just off Waipapa Road, near Chang Siam Thai Restaurant, you’ll find beautiful well maintained tracks, local-style spot along Waitotara Road. This is where dogs can really stretch their legs — open space, river access, and that easy Northland feel.
Southside – a local favourite, the track follows the meandering Kerikeri river – off leash and adventourous for your dogs – relatively easy well maintained tracks – can comnbine it with a loop out to the ‘bypass’ and around the road past the rugby grounds down to the Stone Store Basin – nice 5km walk – with an off leash piece and pleasant on leash walking!
A Market Morning — Dogs Welcome – it’s not just walks — your dog can be part of the social side too. The much-loved The Old Packhouse Market is dog-friendly, making it the perfect place to wander on a weekend morning. Think local produce, artisan stalls, live music, and a relaxed, community vibe.
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