Since you have a car, staying in Opua is a good option, its only 5-10 minutes to drive into Paihia, you are right by the Russell car ferry, there is a good cafe in Opua Marina complex, and it is generally a nice area and the Opua Motel, and also Waterview lodge, which is on the same stretch of road, have nice views over the marina.

As you are coming in July, Paihia will be fairly dead (middle of winter), so I would definitely choose to stay in Opua, and just drive into Paihia if you need for shopping and cafes

I have to disagree with the others. Opua has a small store and is the ferry terminal to Russell and thats it. Stay in Paihia and if you have to go to Opua or Russell by car make the journey specifically not the other way around. Paihia has so much more to offer.

Paihia definitely has more to offer in terms of shops, cafes, etc etc, but I was answering the question on the basis of whether Opua was a good place to stay, bearing in mind that is where your friends are.

So yes, Opua is a nice place to stay and since your main reason to be in the area is to see your friends, I would choose to stay in Opua, and drive to Paihia and/or other parts of Northland for sightseeing

I agree with Andychef, not all accomodation is right by the ferry. there are some outstanding properties all of which come under the catorgory of Opua.

Daytime is a lot more to do in Paihia as opposed to evenings other than for dining

I am sure this is not dissention in ranks of DEs, but just a share of the passion we all share for the region

No dissention in the ranks just a difference in preference. I would never consider staying in Opua unless it was with family or very close friends.

Thanks for the advice guys. :)

We plan on getting to Paihia for lunchtime and then doing a cruise (either the Dolphin cruise's one or the Mack attack jetboat) to the Hole in the Rock. Evening would be going out with the friends (or perhaps they will entertain us on their boat) before we head to our accomodation.

Next day is that trip during the day and then out with the friends at night again before we head to Auckland the following day.

We will definitely have a hire car.

Is there anything else other than the Treaty Grounds worth going to see in the area?

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