LAND ACTIVITIES
The kauri is New Zealand's most magnificent native tree and can grow to a great age (several thousand years old). Vast forests of kauri were felled for use in ship building in the 19th Century, some timber even being returned to build London's dockland warehouses. The forests which remain in Northland are the best in New Zealand and include the largest specimens in the country. When you stand surrounded by giant trees you can see what almost the entire north of New Zealand must once have looked like.
Ruapekapeka Pa is one of the best-preserved examples of a Maori Pa (fortified village). As early as 1846 Maori were employing trenches as defence against the British troops; so impressing the British that trench warfare in the First World War owed much to the influence of this Maori method of defence. To get to the Pa, head back on SH1 toward Whangarei and look for the signposts south of Kawakawa.
Kawiti glow worm caves at Waiomio are also a short distance from Russell, again off SH1 to Whangarei, Still owned by the Kawiti family, guided tours of the magical glow worm display are available.
There are many interesting and unexpected land based activities readily accessible from Russell Township. Visit the nearby towns of Paihia, Kerikeri and Mangonui or travel across to the West Coast. From Russell you can visit glowworm caves, thermal springs, world famous toilets, arts and crafts trails and even magnificent kauri trees in the Ngaiotonga forest.
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