Bay of Islands

The Bay of Islands opens from the east coast of Northland, at the subtropical top of New Zealand’s North Island: 144 islands scattered across turquoise water, white-sand coves, native bush running down to the sea, and the sea cliffs of Cape Brett, where Motu Kōkako, the Hole in the Rock, stands off the point. It is also where the nation’s story begins, at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and in the old harbour town of Russell.

We open the far north at Paroa Bay & Sage, a private 75-acre estate on a peninsula above a sheltered inlet, fifteen minutes from Russell: two villas and four off-grid cabins among native bush, a vineyard and winery, and Sage Restaurant, awarded One Hat. Days are spent under sail, in the air above the islands and at the table, arranged privately with your advisor.

The estate runs from native bush to the water, with its own helipad, boat ramp and deep-water mooring. Tarāpunga Villa, named for the seabird whose wings its roof recalls, has three bedrooms, a 17-metre heated infinity pool above the bay and a private tennis court; Vineyard Cottage sits above the vines with a plunge pool and a deck; and the four timber cabins are tucked into the bush at the edge of the vineyard, each with an outdoor bath. The eight-block vineyard was planted in 2006, every wine is grown, made and bottled on the estate, and Sage, above the vines, cooks the season’s Northland produce with vegetables from the estate garden.

Many travelers continue south: Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu and the high country of Central Otago are an easy domestic connection away, and our New Zealand guide joins all three.