Kerikeri: River Walks, History & Easy Stops

Kerikeri was one of those places we didn’t overthink. We had a loose plan to get out for a walk and see a few spots around town and just let the day unfold from there.

The weather wasn’t playing ball, but it still turned into a really good stop.

🌿 Rainbow Falls Walk

We had planned to do the full loop but with the rain coming and going and the tracks getting slippery, we decided to keep it simple and walk from the Stone Store out to Rainbow Falls and back.

Distance: 8.7 km return
Time: A couple of hours at our pace (with plenty of photo stops)

Straight away, the birdlife stood out. It was loud, constant and felt like the bush had just come alive around us.

Then it was the trees. So many different types and some of them growing straight out of rock with barely any soil holding them in place.

The track mostly follows the river, with sections that move in and out of the bush. It’s well pathed and easy to follow, just take your time if it’s wet.

Rainbow Falls itself was well worth it. You can view it from below or from above and both give you a different perspective.

We thought about pushing on, but the weather made the call for us. Not long after we got back, the sun came out for about half an hour… then the rain rolled in again.

Tohu Tip: If you get a clear day, the full loop would be a good one to complete.

🪵 Stone Store Basin & Heritage Area

After the walk, we wandered around the Stone Store Basin.

It’s a really well-kept area with a strong sense of history. The Stone Store and Kemp House sit right by the river in a nicely maintained setting, and it’s easy to slow down and take it in.

It was quite busy when we were there, so we didn’t stay too long, but it’s worth a look.

Local Knowledge: This area is one of the earliest European settlement sites in Aotearoa – New Zealand, alongside important Māori sites like Kororipo Pā.

🛍️ Around Town

We had a bit of a wander through town afterwards:

• Kerries Berries – stopped in for a look (blueberries and ice creams, good spot for a treat if that’s your thing)
• Makana Chocolate Factory – always worth popping in for a look
• Packhouse Market area – quiet midweek, markets run on the weekend so we missed it this time

We also managed to find a park nearby so we could check out Te Haa o te Ao, the sculpture at the entrance to Kerikeri.

It’s suspended from a tall pou with steel cables, with stone elements representing poi. Definitely something a bit different and worth a quick stop.

If you’re after more of a cultural experience, we heard good feedback about Te Ahurea – Northland’s Living Village, but we didn’t get there this time.

🚐 Where We Stayed

We stayed at a Park Over Property spot out by the airport, right next to Marsden Estate.

Nice and easy, and Marsden Estate is a popular stop if you’re looking for somewhere to eat or have a drink.

🚶‍♀️ More Walks Around the Basin

If you’ve got more time, there are a number of short walks starting from the Stone Store Basin:

• Kororipo Pā Track
• Hongi Hika Walkway
• Wairoa Stream Track (Wairere and Grotto waterfalls)
• Booth’s Wharepuke Reserve
• Rainbow Falls Track

Plenty of options depending on how much time you’ve got and what the weather is doing.

🍊 Why Kerikeri Is All About Fruit

One thing that really stands out around Kerikeri is how much of it is centred around fruit.

You’ll see it everywhere, roadside stalls, small orchards, honesty boxes and local shops. Depending on the season, you’ll come across:

• Kiwifruit
• Kerikeri oranges
• Persimmons
• Feijoas
• Avocados
• Citrus like lemons and mandarins
• Macadamia nuts

Kerikeri has a warm climate compared to a lot of the country, which makes it ideal for growing fruit. The fertile soil and steady rainfall also play a big part, so it’s been a strong horticulture area for years.

Even though we didn’t see many oranges this time, it’s well known for them and in season you’ll find them fresh from roadside stalls.

It’s one of those places where you can slow down, grab something fresh, and just enjoy it as you go.

Tohu Tip: Keep some coins handy, a lot of the best fruit comes from small roadside stalls with honesty boxes.

🌿 Wrap Up

Kerikeri is an easy stop. A mix of short walks, history and a few local spots without needing to plan too much.

Even with the weather cutting things short, it still worked out well. We’ll be back and next time we’ll time it with the markets.