22 Chapel Street, Russell, New Zealand
+64 9 403 7422 or 021 613 795
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Bellrock Lodge is strategically placed half way up the hill giving it a commanding view overlooking the sleepy village of Russell and the Bay. We are west facing, which gives our guests the opportunity to enjoy pre-dinner drinks on their private patio watching the most spectacular sunsets imaginable. A 5min stroll down to the village brings you to great restaurants, art studios, coffee and curio shops. The Russell Wharf is where you will board one of the sight-seeing boats or the passenger ferry to Paihia.

Distances

The Bellrock Lodge is the following distance by road from these locations:

  • Kerikeri – 39km
  • Kaikohe – 50km
  • Whangarei – 75km
  • Dargaville – 131km
  • Mangawhai – 133km
  • Wellsford – 155km
  • Warkworth – 174km
  • Auckland – 235km

How to get to Russell

Russell is in the Bay of Islands. You can get to Russell in a number of different ways.

Air – from Auckland Airport to Kerikeri Airport (40min), and then by car which is a 1-hour drive to Russell.

Air – from Auckland Airport to Whangarei (25min) and then by car a further hour and a quarter drive time to Russell.

Bus – from Auckland to Paihia +/- 4 hours plus a 10min passenger ferry trip to Russell. The bus terminus is at the Paihia Wharf. If using this alternative please let us know and we will pick you up at the Russell Wharf.

Car – from Auckland will be a +/- 3.5-hour trip. Take SH1 to Whangarei and carry on to Kawakawa. Take SH11, passing Kawakawa on your left, carry on for another 18km where the turnoff for Opua/Russell will be on your right. Take car ferry to Russell which is 8km further. VERY IMPORTANT – THE LAST FERRY LEAVES OPUA AT 10PM.

If using a GPS do not enter Russell as the destination, as this takes you off SH1 just after Whangarei. Although this road is a lovely scenic route a lot of people get nauseous as it is full of twists and turns and will add another hour to your travel time. Therefore enter Opua, 3 Beechy Street, into the GPS. This will bring you to the car ferry which you need to take to get to Russell, which is another 8km further. The ferry operates from 6:40am till 10pm and leaves +/- every 15min.

Once across the ferry stay on the main road till you reach Russell. You will find us at 22 Chapel Street, there is a large Bellrock Lodge sign at the bottom of our driveway.

Please note that north of Auckland you will be using a toll road and need to purchase tickets before reaching it, or else you have the option to pay online before your journey or within 5 days after using the toll road.

From Kerikeri Airport (pick-up and drop-off service can be arranged for you)

By car from Kerikeri Airport

Turn left from the airport. After +/- 3km take roundabout (circle) exit to Paihia on SH10. At Puketona Junction take a left turn to Paihia – SH11. At next roundabout turn right to Paihia. Drive through Paihia and look out for the sign for Opua/Russell Car Ferry +/- 8km, from Paihia. Russell is another 9km on.