#1 Russell Mini Tours
#1 Russell Mini Tours
4.5
Points of Interest & LandmarksHistorical & Heritage ToursSightseeing ToursBus ToursDay Trips
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Full view

About
Unique History & Sights Tour sharing stories of our connections around the world. A must do for our Australian cousins :)
Russell, New Zealand
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024
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#1 Russell Mini Tours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
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4.5
173 reviews
Excellent
129
Very good
34
Average
3
Poor
1
Terrible
6
Michael T
Thurleigh, UK1,177 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
Booked by phone on the day, tours are available from Russell at 10am, 11am and between 1 to 3pm. We took the 11am tour and our local guide, Chris was very helpful and informative. We visited the local points of interest including the top at xxx, the views were fantastic including a large of the islands around the bay
Worthwhile tour if you have mobility issues as the coach gets you round in about an hour. 35$ a head for the hour tour
Worthwhile tour if you have mobility issues as the coach gets you round in about an hour. 35$ a head for the hour tour
Written 26 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trevor P
Eltham2 contributions
Jan 2025 • Couples
The Highlight of this tour was Shane our host. The knowledge he passed on, shared with an obvious passion for Russell and it place in the history of New Zealand was a pleasure to experience.
His breadth of knowledge about this place, New Zealand, and the history of the Māori people was passed on with passion and good humour. Russell is a beautiful spot but it was truly enhanced by Shane on our tour.
I highly recommend this tour to you
His breadth of knowledge about this place, New Zealand, and the history of the Māori people was passed on with passion and good humour. Russell is a beautiful spot but it was truly enhanced by Shane on our tour.
I highly recommend this tour to you
Written 19 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your review. We are in a stunning part of The North, a perfect to unwind and contemplate life :) We hope to see you here again soon!
Written 27 January 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Allan G
Turangi, New Zealand82 contributions
Nov 2024 • Couples
The best little tour we’ve ever experienced. Just one hour, which for a day trip across from Paihia fitted the bill nicely. Shane, our driver and guide, was highly personable, knowledgeable and had a lovely wit. The literal high point was the stop on Flagstaff Hill with Shane explaining all the points of interest in the amazing views. First class all round! Having done the tour, and most sights seen being relatively close together, we then walked and visited some directly.
Written 27 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review, Little Kororareka Russell is a tranquil location and Te Maiki - one of the best views in The Bay
Written 27 January 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jeevan V
1 contribution
Jan 2022
We had a great experience on this tour, and would highly recommend this to anyone looking at exploring Russell. Michelle was a fantastic host who provided some good historical information to us all. She even pointed out a weka (bird) to us😊
Written 31 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for that lovely feedback, its always a pleasure to see others enjoying the wonders of our little town.
Written 18 February 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Elle Yoo
11 contributions
Jan 2021
LOVED this mini tour! Thanks to Kelley for her informative commentary on this one hour tour, absolutely recommend if it's your first time to Russell. We jumped off the hole in the rock cruise tour to Russell and jumped straight onto the next bus tour around Russell and we were not disappointed. The history of Russell is an interesting one that only a local guide can share with passion, pride and at the same time awesome humour that time goes by real quick and all of a sudden it's finished and makes you want to continue exploring on your own. Highly recommend!
Written 8 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chiquit T
Singapore3 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
Kelly was an excellent tour guide; very knowledgeable. My husband and I were the only guests on her bus during our time slot, so we got to ask even more questions, and she answered gamely. The sun came out to showcase Karorareka beautifully, and we enjoyed the sights, and set out on foot to some of her recommendations, afterwards.
Written 25 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SueA
Perth, Australia13 contributions
Jan 2020
Great way to see Russell on a port day with the minimum of fuss or pressure.
Disembarked the Majestic Princess on an early tender just to be safe (3,500 passengers), to find masses of buses waiting for us with such friendly staff and guides waiting to take us down into Piya. Jumped on the ferry over to Russell (easy as) in plenty of time for our very informative 1 hour HOHO tour at 10.00am. Our driver was a local living in the village itself who had plenty of interesting stories to tell us about the history as well as all the current gossip. We then had plenty of time to potter around checking out the quaint little shops and cafes and local sites before a leisurely ferry trip back to Piya and more pottering around before catching the bus back to the wharf to get the tender back to the ship. A very easy day out given the number of people in port that day... only downside was the wait for the tender...the queue looked a mile long when we got there but it was surprising how quickly it moved once we were in the queue. All in all, a great port day visit...
Disembarked the Majestic Princess on an early tender just to be safe (3,500 passengers), to find masses of buses waiting for us with such friendly staff and guides waiting to take us down into Piya. Jumped on the ferry over to Russell (easy as) in plenty of time for our very informative 1 hour HOHO tour at 10.00am. Our driver was a local living in the village itself who had plenty of interesting stories to tell us about the history as well as all the current gossip. We then had plenty of time to potter around checking out the quaint little shops and cafes and local sites before a leisurely ferry trip back to Piya and more pottering around before catching the bus back to the wharf to get the tender back to the ship. A very easy day out given the number of people in port that day... only downside was the wait for the tender...the queue looked a mile long when we got there but it was surprising how quickly it moved once we were in the queue. All in all, a great port day visit...
Written 15 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
john c
Burnaby, Canada15 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
We were welcomed by Shane near the wharf at Paihia as he explained the history of the region with the native population. He suggested that we take the ferry to Russell and book their tour. Did it and thoroughly enjoyed Kelly’s tour.
Written 23 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
:) Thank you for your feedback
Written 16 February 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Geoff
1 contribution
Jan 2020 • Family
After reading the reviews I thought one hour couldn't hurt. We were pleasantly surprised. I'd previously had four holidays in BOI, but I didn't know most of the things we learnt during an hour with Kelly. I highly recommend this as an overview of Russell that leaves time for you to return and immerse yourself in your personal hilights. Good value considering the time and trouble that private research and exploration would have taken!
Written 3 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LyMag87
Ireland430 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
Highly recommend to everyone visiting beautiful Russell.
Tip do this tour before you walk around as the information provided will make your walk/ stroll so much more meaningful.
Kelly was the most amazing tour guide with fun and interesting facts - she was also very kind and patient with our 3 year old which we really appreciated <3
5* - definitely do it if you get a chance
Tip do this tour before you walk around as the information provided will make your walk/ stroll so much more meaningful.
Kelly was the most amazing tour guide with fun and interesting facts - she was also very kind and patient with our 3 year old which we really appreciated <3
5* - definitely do it if you get a chance
Written 10 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
we are arriving by a cruise ship is this tour possible.
Written 3 December 2017
In terms of time - this is a short tour around an hour, so you should be able to do it.
However, you need to get to Russell. You will need to check with the cruise ship if they will drop you of at Russell and how long you can spend there.
Written 4 December 2017
I'll bring 4 friends to Russell in late Nov. how much for a tour and how long does it last and is it in the morning?
Written 30 July 2016
Hi Debbie
Sorry for the late reply. Below is some info regarding Russell Mini tours which I can highly recommend. Cant remember how long the tour goes for but we loved every minute of it and the driver was fantastic.
look up russell mini tours . com
Tours depart daily from Russell Wharf:
Oct – Apr: 10am | 11am | 1pm | 2pm | 3pm | 4pm and May – Sept: 11am | 12pm | 1pm | 2pm
$30 per adult $15 per child. Charter rate and group concessions available on request.
Written 19 November 2016
What route does the bus trip take and what is there to see please?
Written 31 May 2016
It goes along forshore then up flagstaff hill with amazing views. Beautiful old buildings and lots of interesting facts. Not a big tour or large place but well worth visit.
Written 2 June 2016
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