Bay of Islands & Kerikeri Coastal Escape
Coastal tails from Kerikeri to Russell
Best for Beach dogs, easygoing coastal explorers.
Kerikeri Forest Edges
- 1
Roland's Wood Walk
Dogs allowedRare off-lead bush loop, let them roam scent-rich native forest near town.
- ~3 km drive
- 2
Hongi Hika Walk
Dogs allowedShort shady historic riverside stroll; easy leg-stretch and shade before the cafe.
- 3
Bay of Islands Holiday Park
Dogs by arrangement, call aheadDog-friendly by arrangement; quiet base midway between Kerikeri and Paihia beaches.
- ~21 km drive to Day 2
Paihia Coast To Ferry
- 1
Paihia to Opua Coastal Walkway
Dogs allowedFlat mangrove-and-beach walkway with swim spots; dogs welcome, shaded, tide-friendly the whole way.
- 2
Orongo Bay Holiday Park
Dogs by arrangement, call aheadCross on the Opua car ferry; leafy Russell-side stay, dogs by arrangement.
- ~11 km drive to Day 3
Russell Peninsula Finale
- 1
- 2
Trips like this one
Auckland West: Black Sand & the Waitākere Fringe
Dogs are welcome at Muriwai year-round, but the south-end Otakamiro gannet colony with its clifftop tracks is strictly no-dogs, so keep well clear.
Coromandel Loop
Most Coromandel beaches, including Hot Water, Cooks, Shakespeare Cliff and the Whitianga sands, carry summer daytime dog restrictions (roughly Labour Weekend to 1 March), so plan beach time for early morning or the shoulder seasons and read the TCDC signs at every access.
Karangahake Gorge
Dogs are welcome right across Karangahake: the Gorge Loop, the glow-worm rail tunnel and the Crown Track all sit on DOC-administered land that takes dogs, and the Waihi-to-Waikino rail trail is the stretch with room to run.