Expert travel storyteller Jordan Adkins, founder of InspiredByMaps.com, brings a decade of adventures across 101 countries and 450+ UNESCO sites into rich, off-the-beaten-path narratives, melding ecological expertise with genuine, seasoned travel insights. His full bio can be found here.
Kerikeri is the kind of place where New Zealand reveals its gentler rhythms. Lying at the heart of the Bay of Islands, it’s a landscape that feels perpetually bathed in gold.
Rivers curl toward the sea through orchards of citrus and avocado, kauri trees stretch skyward from pockets of native forest, and a certain ease lingers in the air. This is the “Winterless North” that locals talk about: sun-dappled, unhurried, and quietly confident in its beauty.
Once a mission settlement and now a thriving creative town, Kerikeri draws travellers who prefer discovery over crowds. It’s close enough to Paihia and the historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds to explore easily, yet distant enough to feel private. The best stays here are extensions of the land itself — places that invite slow mornings, long lunches, and evenings spent under immense, star-washed skies. These five properties capture that spirit, each offering its own interpretation of Far North magic.
Jack’s Lookout — A Retro Bach Above the Inlet
Perched in the quiet seaside enclave of Rangitane, fifteen minutes from Kerikeri’s centre, Jack’s Lookout is the sort of place you imagine when you picture a classic New Zealand escape. The house gazes over the tidal waters of the Kerikeri Inlet, where morning light glimmers across anchored sailboats and evening shadows ripple through the bush. It is entirely private, surrounded by native trees alive with tūī and kererū, and yet close enough to town to slip out for coffee or supplies without losing the sense of seclusion.
Inside, the home feels like a love letter to mid-century Aotearoa. The kitchen gleams in mint-green cabinetry, wallpaper blooms with native flora and birds, and furniture recalls an era of unfussy craftsmanship. There’s a record player with a stack of vinyl, shelves lined with old travel books, and a log burner that transforms the lounge into a cocoon on cool winter nights. The large deck stretches toward the water, a perfect spot for a bottle of Northland chardonnay and the slow theatre of the tide.
A path winds through the garden to the foreshore, where guests can picnic, cast a fishing line, or simply watch the inlet breathe with the tide. At night, kiwis sometimes call from the undergrowth, and the Milky Way flares above the silhouetted trees. Jack’s Lookout is not a luxury lodge; it is something rarer — a home that invites you to belong. It embodies that elusive Kiwiana ideal: modest, beautiful, and absolutely of its place.
Avalon Resort — Riverside Tranquillity Among the Gardens
Set on several acres of landscaped grounds along the Kerikeri River, Avalon Resort offers a calm, nature-infused stay that bridges comfort and simplicity. Wooden chalets and apartments sit beside wide lawns and tropical plantings, their verandas angled toward the water. The gentle rush of the river is a constant companion, especially at dusk when light softens over the palms.
Avalon feels more retreat than resort. There is a yoga pavilion tucked among the gardens, a sauna, and a natural swimming hole framed by ferns. Guests wander barefoot between rooms and the riverbank, pausing to read under a pōhutukawa or take a kayak down the slow current. Interiors are bright and unpretentious, filled with local wood, woven textures, and windows that open directly to the sounds of the forest.
It’s an excellent base for exploring Kerikeri’s surrounding sights — Rainbow Falls, the historic Stone Store, and the region’s expanding vineyards — yet it also rewards stillness. For travellers craving a soft landing after the long drive north from Auckland, Avalon offers that immediate exhale.
Colonial House Motel — A Boutique Touch of Heritage
At the entrance to Kerikeri’s main village, Colonial House Motel carries a quiet sense of history. The white weatherboard façade and green shutters echo the colonial architecture of New Zealand’s earliest missions, while the interiors balance nostalgia with modern ease.
Each suite opens onto manicured gardens shaded by citrus trees, and mornings often begin with the scent of blossoms drifting through the air. Rooms are dressed in soft neutral tones, with polished wood and hints of nautical blue. There’s an inviting outdoor pool for summer afternoons, and a wood-burning fireplace in the communal lounge for winter evenings.
What sets Colonial House apart is its attention to detail. The hospitality feels old-world — efficient but personal — and the property’s proximity to Kerikeri’s cafés, galleries, and the weekend market means guests can explore without relying on a car. It’s an ideal choice for travellers who appreciate heritage charm wrapped in boutique polish.
Kauri Park Motel — Garden Calm and Genuine Warmth
A few minutes’ drive from town, Kauri Park Motel is a long-time favourite among repeat visitors to the Far North. Hidden behind native hedges and towering kauri, it delivers a restful, quietly tropical atmosphere that feels more like a garden lodge than a roadside motel.
Suites are generous in size, with kitchenettes and private decks overlooking the greenery. Many feature spa baths and cosy sitting areas. The grounds are a riot of ferns, citrus, and birdlife; mornings bring a chorus of tūī and the low hum of cicadas. Guests can stroll to the small café at the entrance for breakfast or relax under the trees with a glass of wine.
Kauri Park’s strength lies in its authenticity. The hosts treat everyone like old friends, offering insider tips on local walks, vineyards, and secret swimming holes. It’s a place that understands the appeal of the North — not flashy, just deeply restful.
Rosewood Kauri Cliffs — Where Luxury Meets the Land
For those seeking indulgence on a grand scale, Rosewood Kauri Cliffs remains the Far North’s crown jewel. Set on a 6,000-acre estate overlooking the Pacific, the lodge commands sweeping views of Matauri Bay’s cliffs and the Cavalli Islands beyond. Here, every vista looks like a postcard and every detail feels intentional.
The property’s design pairs colonial inspiration with contemporary refinement. High-ceilinged suites open onto private verandas, each facing the ocean. Inside, furnishings mix antique pieces with soft linens and coastal palettes. The on-site restaurant champions local produce — line-caught fish, Bay of Islands olive oil, Northland cheeses — while the spa is nestled in a secluded valley beside a waterfall.
Guests can spend the day playing the world-class golf course, exploring private beaches, or walking the estate’s forest trails lined with ancient totara. Evenings bring pre-dinner drinks by the fire and long conversations that stretch into the night. Kauri Cliffs exemplifies New Zealand luxury at its most graceful, anchored in landscape rather than opulence.
When to Visit and What to Know
Kerikeri rewards every season. Summer months bring clear swimming days and ripe fruit stalls along the roadside. Autumn glows with calm weather and vineyards in harvest, while winter, often mild and crisp, is perfect for fireside retreats and quiet forest walks. Spring bursts with bloom — jacaranda, magnolia, and citrus flowers perfuming the air.
The town is an easy 35-minute drive from the Bay of Islands Airport, which connects to Auckland in under an hour. Hiring a car remains the simplest way to explore, allowing detours to Matauri Bay, Mangonui, and the vast expanse of Ninety Mile Beach.
Visitors often linger longer than planned. There are waterfalls to discover, artisan producers to visit, and a growing creative community that welcomes conversation over good coffee. Evenings are best spent outdoors, listening to the nocturnal pulse of the bush and watching constellations sharpen in the dark northern sky.
Kerikeri is more than a waypoint between Auckland and Cape Reinga; it is a destination in its own right, filled with places that remind travellers why they came to New Zealand in the first place. Whether you choose the character-soaked comfort of Jack’s Lookout, the riverine calm of Avalon Resort, the heritage elegance of Colonial House Motel, the botanical ease of Kauri Park Motel, or the refined seclusion of Rosewood Kauri Cliffs, you’ll find a version of the Far North that stays with you long after you’ve left its light behind.