Bay of Islands

The Bay of Islands, so named by Captain Cook who visited the bay in 1769, lies near the north end of the North Island. It is sprinkled with more than 150 small islands, mostly green and wooded. It is a drowned river system, the result of the rise in sea level after the last ice age. Its particular charm lies in the scatter of islands and subtropical climate. It is a popular resort for sailing enthusiasts and anglers. The Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser settled here and planted thousands of trees on his property, a former farm at Kawakawa.