From Auckland:

From Auckland the drive is a sightseeing opportunity and takes 2.5 to 3 hours from the North Shore through to 3.5 to 4 hours from South Auckland.  

Follow State Highway 1 north through Albany to Whangarei (approx 2 hours). 

The Northern Gateway Toll Road is a 7.5km motorway extension just north of Auckland. Heading north the toll road begins just before Orewa and ends after the Johnstone Hills near Puhoi. The toll road gives motorists a choice between a more direct route or the scenic State Highway 17 via Orewa. Payment can be made at booths provide or made online within 5 days. http://www.tollroad.govt.nz/ 

Once you have arrived in Whangarei there are two routes to Russell. Note that the last Ferry leaves Opua at 9.50pm 

Option 1 – via Russell Road 

Follow State Highway 1 out of Whangarei heading north. Fifteen minutes north of Whangarei, after you have passed the Whakapara BP service station turn right into Russell Road. This stunning coastal road offers spectacular views of unspoiled beaches and native forests and is part of a route that has been named by Lonely Planet, the world’s leading authority on travel, as one of 50 “Epic Drives of the World”! Find out more here. 

Do not turn off the bitumen onto a gravel road – all roads lead to Russell at that point including the paved road you are on. The Russell Road takes up to 1.5 hours and we recommend a stop along the way at the Helena Bay Art Gallery. Turn right at the T intersection at the end of Russell Road and Russell – Orongo Holiday Park is 500 metres on the right. 

Option 2 – via Opua and car ferry 

Follow State Highway 1 out of Whangarei heading north. Ten to fifteen minutes after Kawakawa is the turnoff to the right to Opua. At the bottom of the hill turn left for the vehicle ferry. There are two ferries operating continually, approximately every 10 minutes between 6.40am and 10pm. Exit the ferry and continue on the road to Russell. Russell – Orongo Bay Holiday Park is approximately 5 kilometres from the ferry, on the right. The ferry is suitable for all vehicles including trucks, buses and campervans. Ferry tickets can be purchased on board by cash, EFTPOS or credit card. 

Vehicular Ferry Facts 

  • Mainland departure location: Opua 
  • Russell peninsular location: Okiato 
  • First ferry: Okiato 06:00, Opua 06:20 
  • Last ferry: Okiato 21:50, Opua 22:00 
  • Tickets: Purchased on board – cash, EFTPOS or credit card facilities available 
  • Price: Car/ Vehicle less than 6m $13.00, Campervan 6-8m $20, Bus 8-10m $30, Foot Passenger $1 

If you anticipate arriving at Opua later than 9:50pm we strongly recommend taking Russell Road instead. If you do arrive and find the last ferry has gone there is a back road through the Waikare forest. The turn-off is approximately 5 minutes after Kawakawa (Opua side) and is signposted ‘Waikare’. Please note: this is a narrow, unsealed and very windy road and not recommended for campervans or overseas visitors not used to driving on New Zealand’s wilder back roads.

From the West Coast:

From the Waipoua Forest drive along State Highway 12 heading to Kawakawa. At the junction of State Highway 1 and State Highway 11 turn left onto State Highway 11 heading for Opua. At the bottom of the hill turn left for the vehicle ferry. There are two ferries operating continually, approximately every 10 minutes between 6.40am and 10pm. Exit the ferry and continue on the road to Russell. Russell – Orongo Bay Holiday Park is approximately 5 kilometres from the ferry, on the right. 

 From the North:

Follow State Highway 10 (signs for Doubtless Bay/Bay of Islands/Route 10). Turn left onto SH 11 (Puketona Road) and continue on SH 11 through Paihia and follow signs for Opua. At the bottom of the hill turn left for the vehicle ferry. There are two ferries operating continually, approximately every 10 minutes between 6.40am and 10pm. Exit the ferry and continue on the road to Russell. Russell –  Orongo Bay Holiday Park is approximately 5 kilometres from the ferry, on the right. 

If you have your own transport there are two main ways to get to Russell depending on how much time you have and your sense of adventure.

Distance from Russell-Orongo Bay Holiday Park by car

The park is conveniently located between the car ferry and Russell set in native forest.
900m – 3 minutes – Holiday Park – Gas Station
3.7km – 5 minutes – Holiday Park – Russell (Supermarket, Bars, Passenger Ferry)
4.6 km – 6 minutes – Holiday Park – Long Beach
4.7km – 7 minutes – Holiday Park – Car Ferry

 

 

An epic drive along Russell Road 

Make the most of your journey to Russell and travel along part of what has been named by Lonely Planet, the world’s leading authority on travel, as one of 50  in their book ‘Epic Drives of the World’!  

The journey becomes part of the holiday itself on this route to Russell that “negotiates forested hills and remote beach settlements dotted with marae”. The author shares our great taste, echoing our long standing recommendation of a lunch stop at Helena Bay Art Gallery where you will find a ”goofily friendly welcome from 3 gentle Newfoundland dogs” as well as a wide-ranging collection of art by New Zealand artists and lush subtropical gardens with magnificent bush and sea views. 

The oyster farms here at Orongo Bay earn a special mention in the book and we appreciate why – super fresh and unbelievable value, you can pick some up less than a 5 minute walk from the Park. 

The author notes Russell’s 19th century notoriety as a “raffish haven for boozing and brawling whalers and sailors” when the only access to the village and surrounding areas was by boat. Luckily, the area has come a long way since then and the Russell Road finally being put in during the 1930’s opened the town and peninsula up to tourism, now welcoming visitors to this idyllic holiday destination from all over the world. 

They say that life is a journey not a destination so make the most of your holiday and travel this stunning coastal road, taking in spectacular views of unspoiled beaches and native forests, and discover for yourself how epic our beautiful region can be. The Northland journey starts in Auckland, heading up the east coast, turning off State Highway 1 fifteen minutes north of Whangarei onto Russell Road.