Russell Mini Tours
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
Kelly and Shane Maddren are the new owners of Russell Mini Tours from 01 January 2024. Looking forward to hosting you and providing memorable experiences. The #1 Bus tour experience in Kororareka Russell! From our Legendary 1hr Russell Mini Tours, our unique 1hr Matariki Tour, to a full 4-day Bespoke package enjoying our Beautiful Bay of Islands and many of the Treasures of The North. A personal Guide to support your personal experience.
Russell, New Zealand
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingSimilar Experiences
Russell Mini Tours
Booking unavailable on Tripadvisor
Want other options you can book now?
Show optionsTravelers talk about
Contribute
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 wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
163 reviews
Excellent
119
Very good
34
Average
3
Poor
1
Terrible
6
SueA
Perth, Australia14 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 February 15, 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.
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 January 3, 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.
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 January 8, 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.
Michael T
Thurleigh, UK1,188 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 January 26, 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.
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 January 31, 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 February 18, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
StaceyCheer
Arapuni, New Zealand160 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
Unfortunately our day in Russell was overcast and wet, however this did not stop us from enjoying a mini tour with our guide Sheryl. Sheryl was a local and was fun, friendly and knowledgeable. She maneuvered the vehicle around some pretty tight spots like a pro, all the while keeping up a running commentary of the sites and history of Russell. Great way to spend an hour on a wet miserable day!
Written May 31, 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 - yes the Perfect way to spend a wet and cold day - while learning! Thank you for your feedback
Written July 9, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Navigate45054474354
Suffolk, UK3 contributions
Feb 2024 • Solo
This was a very worthwhile and well-spent hour. I was the only passenger. This allowed Shane to pitch the information he shared to complement and amplify what I already knew, and broaden my perspectives . He provided excellent geographical, historical, cultural, social and spiritual perspectives to the fabulous natural beauty of Russell and its surrounding area. All this with reverence and respect for me and his subject.
He is a natural ambassador for his home. Exemplary and highly recommended. A must. No visit here complete without it.
He is a natural ambassador for his home. Exemplary and highly recommended. A must. No visit here complete without it.
Written February 22, 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 so much for your feedback! Hopefully you were able to share some of our history with others when you got home :) We live in an area so rich in life, past and present - looking forward to a brighter future! We hope to see you and friends back here in the Bay again.
Written July 9, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
LupePasikala
Whangarei, New Zealand15 contributions
Aug 2020
If there is a tour that can resume all the history of Russel in just under an hour this is the one!
The tour guide from Russell had so much knowledge of the area that it was really worth to get on to the bus and tour around with her.
It was lovely also to have had the chance to stop in some of the most iconic places of Russell and take some pictures.
It is truly a must do which can be done in any weather condition.
Thank you so much Kellie for taking us around. We have truly enjoyed this tour!
The tour guide from Russell had so much knowledge of the area that it was really worth to get on to the bus and tour around with her.
It was lovely also to have had the chance to stop in some of the most iconic places of Russell and take some pictures.
It is truly a must do which can be done in any weather condition.
Thank you so much Kellie for taking us around. We have truly enjoyed this tour!
Written August 25, 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.
Chiquit T
Singapore3 contributions
Sep 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 September 25, 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.
Becs J
Bampton, UK8 contributions
May 2024 • Solo
I jumped on the ferry as soon as I arrived in Paihia, straight to Russell, a friend of mine had told me it’s a must visit.
On arrival I enquired about the tours, there was one leaving immediately, I declined, coffee & sustenance was required first!
Kelly said come back at 2pm, then it started raining … hey ho, I thought, better to be sat on a tour bus when it’s raining.
On arriving back at 2pm, I was the only guest, Kelly still insisted on taking me.
How lucky am I, my own personal guide, she is a treasure, her knowledge of her island is mind-blowing, it almost took me back at first, trying to process everything, but wow, just wow!
As you can see from my pictures, I was truly blessed, the sun came out, what a spectacular and mind enriching hour learning about the history of this incredible, NZ’s first capital.
Spend a moment imagining all the drunken sailors lying on the beach when it was know as the ‘Hell Hole’!
It’s hard to pick a highlight, but the views were sensational, we packed so much in to that hour and I loved chatting with Kelly.
So much did I love this place, that I’m now coming to spend some time here doing Kiwi Conservation!!
Here’s to your beautiful Kororareka!
Thank you Kelly & Mini Tours 🙏
On arrival I enquired about the tours, there was one leaving immediately, I declined, coffee & sustenance was required first!
Kelly said come back at 2pm, then it started raining … hey ho, I thought, better to be sat on a tour bus when it’s raining.
On arriving back at 2pm, I was the only guest, Kelly still insisted on taking me.
How lucky am I, my own personal guide, she is a treasure, her knowledge of her island is mind-blowing, it almost took me back at first, trying to process everything, but wow, just wow!
As you can see from my pictures, I was truly blessed, the sun came out, what a spectacular and mind enriching hour learning about the history of this incredible, NZ’s first capital.
Spend a moment imagining all the drunken sailors lying on the beach when it was know as the ‘Hell Hole’!
It’s hard to pick a highlight, but the views were sensational, we packed so much in to that hour and I loved chatting with Kelly.
So much did I love this place, that I’m now coming to spend some time here doing Kiwi Conservation!!
Here’s to your beautiful Kororareka!
Thank you Kelly & Mini Tours 🙏
Written June 13, 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 - Yes we all live in a truly unique place. Looking forward to seeing you back up in the Bay - We need more Conservationists!!
Written July 9, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
we are arriving by a cruise ship is this tour possible.
Written December 3, 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 December 4, 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 July 30, 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 November 19, 2016
What route does the bus trip take and what is there to see please?
Written May 31, 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 June 2, 2016
Showing results 1-4 of 4