FAQs | Paroa Bay Guest Information

FAQ's

Our reservations team has compiled answers to our most frequently asked questions below. For full details on our policies, please refer to our Terms & Conditions page, or contact the team directly for further assistance.

Getting Here

Paroa Bay Winery and Estate encompasses a boutique vineyard, award-winning restaurant Sage, and luxury accommodation including two villas and off-grid vineyard cabins.
By driving: from Russell, the estate is just a 15-minute drive. From Kerikeri Airport, allow around 45 minutes to an hour, depending on ferry timings. For those travelling from Auckland, the journey takes approximately four hours by car.

By boat: you can anchor in Paroa Bay and our staff will collect you from the beach, taking you to Sage Restaurant or our luxury accommodations.

By helicopter: With a helipad located directly on the estate, private helicopter transfers can be arranged from Auckland or Kerikeri.
Yes, for guests arriving by boat, there is a mooring that can accommodate up to a 12 m boat, anchored on a 4-ton concrete block.
We offer complimentary local transfers to and from Russell for guests staying at Tarāpunga Villa & Vineyard Cottage, subject to availability. Transfers to and from other locations (Paihia, Kerikeri Airport, etc.) are available at additional cost.
We recommend taking the vehicle ferry from Opua to Russell (Okiato) for the quickest and easiest access to Paroa Bay. Most GPS systems will automatically route you via the back road, which is a longer and winding coastal drive.

Address: Opua Ferry Terminal, Beechy Street, Opua

Crossing time: approx. 10 minutes
Departures: every 10 minutes
Operating hours:
Opua → Okiato: 6:10am – 10:00pm
Okiato → Opua: 6:00am – 9:50pm

Cash or card accepted

Inclusions

Tarāpunga Villa Inclusions

Luxury accommodation

Hosted check-in

Welcome bottle of Louis Roederer Champagne

A selection of estate provisions including self-prepared breakfast

Mini bar refreshments

Daily housekeeping

Golf cart to use within the Estate

Russell township private transfers (subject to availability)

Vineyard Cottage Inclusions

Luxury accommodation

Hosted check-in

Welcome bottle of Paroa Bay wine

A selection of estate provisions including self-prepared breakfast

Mini bar refreshments

Daily housekeeping

Russell township private transfers (subject to availability)

Off-Grid Cabin Inclusions

Off-grid accommodation

Welcome bottle of Paroa Bay wine

A selection of estate provisions including self-prepared breakfast

Mini bar refreshments

Housekeeping (on request)

Golf cart to use within the estate

Estate parking with golf cart access to cabin
Yes, complimentary WiFi is available in all accommodation offerings.
Rates are inclusive of 15% Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Policies

Yes, a minimum two-night stay applies.
Our off-grid cabins are not generally suitable for young children due to their location and design. Infants may be accommodated at our discretion, please contact our team to discuss.

Children of any age are welcome to stay at Tarāpunga Villa & Vineyard Cottage. We can provide a cot & high chair for children, at no additional cost. Please contact our team to arrange prior to arrival.
No, pets are not permitted, in order to protect wildlife and the comfort of all guests. Certified guide and service dogs are welcome.
Please view our cancellation policy in detail on our Terms & Conditions page.

Accommodation

Tarāpunga Villa, 3 bedroom

Vineyard Cottage, 2 bedroom

Off-Grid Cabins, 1 King bed (twin-share available)
Check-in between 3:00pm- 8:00pm, check-out by 11:00am.
As part of the “Winterless North”, the Bay of Islands enjoys a semi-tropical climate. From November to March, average temperatures are around 24°C; from May to September, around 16°C. Pack layers, sun protection year-round, and rain gear in autumn, winter and spring.

Dining

All accommodation options include provisions for a self-service breakfast, replenished daily.

Estate platters, BBQ boxes, estate wines, additional provisioning, and private chef services are available at an additional cost.
Yes, Sage Restaurant is located onsite and open Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner. Guests are welcome to walk, drive, or golf cart. Complimentary private transfers are also available for Tarāpunga Villa guests.
Sage is open Wednesday to Sunday, 12:00pm – 10:00pm, and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Hours may vary during the winter months or for special menu events. For the most up-to-date hours, please check online. We highly recommend reserving a take in advance to ensure availability.
A variety of on-site catering options are available, from private chefs in your villa to BBQ boxes and estate platters featuring house-made and homegrown provisions. Please contact our team to explore our full on-site catering menu.
The nearest shops, bars, and cafés are a 15-minute drive away in Russell. We have a list of recommended venues to explore during your time in the Bay of Islands. We do suggest planning ahead to ensure availability.

Experiences

Yes, we recommend pre-booking to ensure availability. You can explore our full activity offering on our Experiences page.
Each of our accommodation options includes amenities designed for relaxation and enjoyment, from a lucky kiwi sighting with a glass of wine on your deck to catching a comet sweep across Northland’s clear skies from your outdoor tub.

Guests can enjoy wine tastings at Sage, indulge in BBQ boxes or private chef services, wander walking paths around the estate, make use of the boat ramp for easy bay access, or take advantage of our helipad for private adventures across the Bay of Islands.
Guests are invited to enjoy paths around the vineyard blocks, however due to our property being a working vineyard guests are asked to not to walk through the vines.