Russell

One of the most well-liked places to visit in New Zealand's Bay of Islands is the beach town of Russell. The architecture and historical sites show how the region is a mash-up of indigenous and European heritage. You can explore the numerous personalities of The Gables 1847, which has served as a bakery, bordello, and refuge for AWOL sailors on the run, or sail around the bay on a chartered boat or famous tall ship.

Russell is a charming coastal hamlet tucked away in the Bay of Islands that is small in size but full of history (or northern New Zealand). Russell, one of the earliest European settlements in New Zealand and its first capital, is home to some of the nation's oldest buildings, including the charming Christ Church and the Pompallier Mission, the country's oldest church and industrial structure, respectively. Before retreating to one of Russell's quaint waterfront restaurants, like the storied Gables Restaurant, for locally caught seafood and breathtaking bay sunsets, you may charter a yacht and go dolphin spotting.

TripAdvisor rating: 4.0/5.0

Location: Bay of Islands, north of New Zealand