Busby Manor was a great place to stay as all the cafes and shops and wharf, where all the cruises and ferries took off from where only a few minutes' walk away. The 3-hour cruise through the Hole in the Rock was absolutely fun as was the Harley Davidson ride to explore more around Paihia. Close by was the Waitangi Treaty House and its marvellous golf course, situated on a hill overlooking the wonderful bays with sailboats and more.
Paihia is so picturesque, peaceful, and a great place to unwind and relax on its sandy shores or take a leisurely kayak or stroll around its many islands. Catching a ferry from Paihia to quaint and cosy Russell was always a treat. A must visit is the Russell museum which even has a big model of Captain Cook's ship the Endeavour. The mini bus tour of Russell was also great, especially the two great look-outs. I had a great time at a cocktail party with fashion show in Russell, where I raged out till early morning with locals. The locals especially made my stay a very happy and enjoyable one and I'll definitely be returning. The coffee and shopping is great too!
Quick Tips:
Don't forget to pack your togs, thongs, and sunscreen. I got a rather burnt nose with just my sun cap on whilst kayaking. Busby manor can also book you into most tours and usually knows what's going on locally - so you must check them out. If you must shop for groceries, don't go to the local dairy, as this could be a bit dear; instead, visit Paihia's supermarket.
Best Way To Get Around:
Walking around Paihia or taking one of the bikes available from Busby Manor (if you wish to explore a bit). If you want to explore even further you can usually go for a ride on a Harley Davidson. It's also very easy to get a taxi if you're not going far but don't want to overdo things.