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1bedroom / 1 bathroom cottage
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A charming historic seaside village with a colourful past, it is now a peaceful and pleasant spot for holidaymakers. Take the time to stroll along the waterfront and enjoy the comings and goings of the many craft from the wharf. Many ocean going yachts moor here to make their first landfall after cruising the Pacific. Climb Maiki Hill for a wonderful view of the bay then reward yourself with a cold drink in the Duke of Marlborough Hotel, which holds the country’s oldest licence. Many of the old buildings tell the story of a colourful past.
The image below shows the Paihia/Russell ferry leaving the Russell wharf heading for Paihia

A lawless trading centre, Russell (originally called Kororareka) was known as the “hell hole of the Pacific” in the 19th century. This was due to numbers of intoxicated and brawling whalers and seafarers on shore leave, boosted by escaped convicts from Australia. Their presence attracted “ladies of the night” who plied their trade in the many hostelries which did a roaring trade. The flagpole atop steep Maiki Hill above the town was felled four times by disgruntled Maori chief Hone Heke over disputes with the European colonisers of the country in the 1840’s. Pretty Christ Church still carries bullet holes from the Maori wars. Russell later became the first capital of New Zealand, a title held until 1841 when it was decided to relocate the seat of power to the more central location of Auckland, then ultimately to Wellington.

"Pompallier Mission, Russell"
Tip: Take the short ferry hop from Opua, 15 minutes south of Paihia to Okiato. Then it is only another 10 minutes drive into Russell. The ferry operates as a shuttle service departing every 10 minutes between 6.40am and 10pm daily.