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Long Beach Russell: One of Our Favourite Places in the Bay of Islands

When our family first discovered Russell, one of the places we immediately fell in love with was Long Beach. Whether it's an early morning walk, a family swim, coffee by the beach, or simply sitting in the sunshine looking out across the Bay of Islands, Long Beach has become one of our favourite places to visit whenever we stay at Crab Shack Cottage.Located just 1.2 kilometres from Crab Shack Cottage, Long Beach is approximately a 15–20 minute walk or a three-minu...

Island Hopping in Paradise: A Day Trip to Otehei Bay & Motuarohia Island

There is a reason the Bay of Islands is world-famous, but to truly understand its magic, you have to get off the mainland and onto the water. One of our absolute favorite day trips is heading out to Otehei Bay on the stunning, pest-free Urupukapuka Island Recreation Reserve. Accessible entirely by boat, this island paradise feels worlds away, yet it is right on the doorstep of your luxury base at Crab Shack Cottage....

"Off the Grid" in the Bay of Islands: Live Like a Chef at Crab Shack Cottage

Did you catch TV chefs Colin Fassnidge and Manu Feildel exploring the hidden gems of Northland in their hit series Off The Grid? In their recent episode, the duo headed north for big-game fishing, tracking down spectacular local flavors, and diving headfirst into the rich history of the area. It’s no secret they fell head over heels for our coastlines and incredible kaimoana (seafood)—and you can experience that exact same magic right from our doorstep....