Russell is a charming, elegant township idyllically located in New Zealand’s picturesque Bay of Islands. As one of the earliest European settlements in New Zealand, dating back to the early 19th century, this small town is jam packed with historical sites including the Catholic Mission "Pompallier", New Zealand’s oldest surviving Roman Catholic building and the Christ Church, the walls of which still exhibit bullet holes from the Maori Wars. In the whaling days this calm haven was dubbed the “hellhole of the pacific” due to it’s wild and lawless inhabitants consisting of mainly drunken sailors and debaucherous whalers. While the town’s is still a favoured spot for boaties seeking refuge in its sheltered waters, today’s Russell is a world away from its former uncivilised self. The village now exudes a genteel colonial charm with an array of excellent restaurants, superb galleries and quaint boutiques lining the now calm and tranquil waterfront. With its rich historical heritage, spectacular scenic location, and its fantastic old-world atmosphere, Russell makes for a perfect secluded getaway.