Boardwalk Trails and Glowworm Caves in Bay of Islands

Warm forest air drifted through the trees as sunlight filtered down onto a wooden path winding through dense greenery. Arriving by cruise in Bay of Islands, the day quickly turned into an excursion beyond the harbor toward forests and small towns scattered across the region.

Bay of Islands (Te Pewhairangi – Pronounced teh peh-FY-ran-gee) stretches across a long sheltered coastline filled with small communities and forest reserves. The area holds deep importance in Māori history and later became one of the first regions where European settlement took hold in New Zealand.

The first stop of the excursion was the Kawiti Glowworm Caves, a family owned cave system tucked into the hills outside Paihia. Inside the caverns the air felt cool and quiet, and the glowworms above created a field of tiny blue lights across the ceiling. Walking through the darker chambers felt surprisingly calm, as if the cave itself had turned into a star filled night sky.

Later we stopped in Kawakawa for lunch and a visit to the Hundertwasser Public Toilets. The building stood out immediately with colorful columns, curved walls, and mosaic details that looked more like an art installation than a restroom. From there the excursion continued to Puketi Forest where a raised boardwalk known as the Kauri Walk led through towering trees while a guide explained the native plants and wildlife along the trail.

The Bay of Islands region rewards visitors who venture a little beyond the harbor. Small towns like Paihia provide a welcoming base while nearby forests, caves, and cultural sites reveal how much variety exists within a relatively compact corner of northern New Zealand.