Base Pipi Patch Lodge
Paihia

“An Excellent Backpackers” - Lonely Planet

Welcome to the stunning Bay of Islands – in the “winterless north”!
Pipi Patch is the Bay's friendliest Backpackers, with cozy and clean private ensuites and share rooms just 50 meters from the beach. It's just two minutes walk to Paihia wharf, shops and cafes.
Make a splash in Pipi Patch’s spa and pool, relax on the sundeck, or head out into the Bay of Islands and choose your adventure!
Our friendly hostel staff put on a barbeque each night and you’re welcome to join in!

Pipi Patch is the liveliest hostel in the Bay, with loads of great features and modern facilities. Talk to our friendly staff to get the local tips! We will do our best to ensure that you experience the best of NZ’s scenery, culture & adventure activities. We have a travel desk at reception where you can ask our team about what to do and where to go while you are in the Bay – they have all experienced the activities first-hand so they know what they are talking about!

We also have:
+ A spa and swimming pool
+ The Pipi Patch Bar: party with other travelers & meet the locals!
+ Nightly BBQ’s : just $10
+ Beyond Travel : book adventure activity and onward travel
+ TV lounge & sundeck chill out area
+ Modern kitchen, dining and laundry facilities
+ And all the good stuff you expect from a quality Backpackers!

The Far North of New Zealand is a playground like no other.
The Maori name for the area is Te Hiku O Te Ika, or “The Tail of the Fish” which refers to the legendary Maui pulling an enormous fish from the ocean, which then became the North Island of NZ. This is a fitting description as the North Island does resemble a huge stingray shaped fish, with its tail north.
Standing on the tip of this tail at Cape Reinga the meeting of the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans is visible in the curving currents at the base of the cliff. This is a very sacred place for the Maori, named Te Rerenga O Wairua, “Returning Place of the Spirits”. The explanation for this is a belief that when a person died and was buried their spirit would travel north, to the very tip of New Zealand, before leaping into the sea and swimming to Hawaiiki Nui.

Not only is this part of the country steeped in culture and awe-inspiring scenery, it’s jam packed with fantastic things to do!

The journey normally begins with a trip from Auckland to the Bay of Islands where adventure activities abound. Swim with the dolphins, do Awesome Adventure's day trip to the Cape, take a jet boat trip through hole in the rock, or the slow ferry out to the historic settlement of Russell, where some of NZ’s first European colonists settled amongst the Maori.

Whatever you do, don’t stop here, this is just the beginning of Northland! If you are looking for authentic NZ, friendly hard case locals, and more beaches than you can count, keep going!

Head north from Paihia to Kerikeri where fruit picking jobs are easy to find at the right time of year, and then continue up to Kaitaia.

To the west is 90 Mile Beach, Shipwreck Bay of surfing fame, and Ahipara, which has the best fish and chips in NZ. To the north the tail of the fish narrows down until the east & west coasts are only ten minutes drive apart.
Up the west side runs 90 Mile Beach which is actually a public road (just don’t park at Te Paki Stream, cars sink into the sand and are claimed by the tide). On the east coast curving white sand bay follows curving white sand bay.

Small town NZ is showcased to perfection in Opononi and Rawene on the west coast. If you are ready for an adventure head south from Kaitaia, take the car ferry from Rawene across to Opononi, and drive down through majestic Waipoua forest. Stop to admire NZ’s largest trees, the Kauri, and swim in the crystal forest streams, and at Kai Iwi fresh water lakes, with their turquiose water and white sand.

You can head back down following the west coast, or cross over through Dargaville and Whangarei to Tutukaka. There’s even more to do with Tutukaka Wild Adventure Park, fishing, camping, cafes, and the amazing scenery just keeps on unfolding.

All the major coaches drop off at our door, so there's no problem finding us when you arrive in Paihia.