A mother a two children explore the garden of Pompallier Mission with the printery building in the background

Unlock Pompallier Mission’s original printing press in a beautiful waterfront setting. This Russell based property is a fascinating step-by-step insight into nineteenth-century printing and bookbinding.

Opening Hours

Daily
10.00am - 5.00pm

Guided Tour Times

10.00am, 11.00am, 12.00pm, 2.00pm, 3.00pm, 4.00pm (subject to availability)

French Coffee House Café
10.00am - 3.00pm

Closed Christmas Day (All day), Anzac Day (25 April until 1.00pm)

parking cafe no-smoking toilet shops

Entry

Member Free

Adult Guided Tour $20.00

Adult Garden Self-Guided $10

Under 18 years Free

* Surcharges may apply for special events

Address

5 The Strand
On the waterfront
Russell 0202

+64 9 403 9015

pompallieradmin@heritage.org.nz

Pompallier Mission with a bright orange flower and blue background.

Step back through time at this historic place in Northland. Want to find out more? Click to read more.

Discover Pompallier Mission and Printery

Parking Parking

We have a small carpark onsite located at the end of The Strand. There is also free on-street parking in Russell (see parking signs for times). Bus parking is also available nearby in Russell. There is one designated accessible parking space behind Pompallier Mission and Printery (pop into the Café to arrange or call ahead); visitors are also welcome to use the carpark to drop-off and pick-up visitors for easy access.

Pompallier Mission and Printery parking

Accessibility Accessibility

Pompallier Mission and Printery has a range of buildings on site.

Café

The French Coffee House (housed in Clendon Cottage) is a one-storey building, there is wheelchair access through the heritage store, just ask our staff for assistance or call ahead. There is access for people with wheelchairs to all areas of Clendon cottage and a drop-off point at the back entrance for visitors with limited mobility.

The Printery

The Printery is a two-storey building, there is wheelchair access to the lower level of the printery via a ramp. Unfortunately, there is no access to the upper level.

Grounds

The award-winning heritage garden is accessible by wheelchair. Please note there are shell paths throughout the property.

Cafe Food and Drink

Situated in the grounds of Pompallier Mission and Printery, the French Coffee House offers a variety of cabinet food and pastries, along with tea, coffee and other refreshments. Gluten free options available.

This is a smoke and vape free site.

Open daily | 9.00am – 3.00pm.

Northland Itinerary French Coffee House Pompallier

Garden

Visitors are welcome to enjoy Pompallier’s peaceful beachfront gardens. Landscaped and added to between 1879 – early 1900’s in a Victorian and Edwardian style, it features resplendent lawn, colourful borders, a variety of roses, a fragrant orchard, and a hillside parkland walk with spectacular views and various specimen trees. We don’t want to give away too many secrets before you see it for yourself, but there is even a rare plant (best seen in spring!), and make sure to check out the curved hedge, very unique for it’s time!

The Pompallier gardens have a five-star rating from the New Zealand Gardens Trust.

Pompallier Mission and Printery garden

More info

Children and whānau

Both inside and out, there are plenty of things for kids to do. On tours you can explore the printery and take part in a hands-on demonstration. Outside, there is plenty to discover throughout the heritage garden, you can even walk up the hillside parkland walk!

We have baby change facilities available.

Things to remember

We care for some important taonga (treasures) in our collection and our heritage buildings have lived a long life, so some rooms or items may be off limits at times for conservation and maintenance.

Some rooms may be dimly lit depending on the weather and time of year.

Safe Space

Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga is proud to be part of the Safe Space Alliance, offering safe and inclusive spaces that welcome and support the LGBTQI+ community.

A safe space is a space where the LGBTQI+ community can freely express themselves without fear. It is a space that doesn’t tolerate violence, bullying, or hate speech towards the LGBTQI+ community.

Safe spaces logo a rainbow circle with the words 'Safe Space, wāhi haumaru'

Venue Hire

With our award-winning gardens and beautiful seaside location in Kororāreka Russell, Pompallier Mission and Printery is the perfect unique setting for your wedding. We can accommodate up to 160 people for ceremony and photography in our glorious grounds. Available for hire year round. Contact us for more info.

Pompallier Mission and Printery venue hire

Tohu whenua

Pompallier Mission and Printery is idenitified as a Tohu Whenua heritage site. Tohu Whenua are the places that have shaped Aotearoa New Zealand. Located in stunning landscapes and rich with stories, they offer some of our best heritage experiences. See more on the Tohu Whenua website.

A line drawing of the original Pompallier Mission site and other buildings in Russell by Edward Ashworth in 1844

Ngā Kōrero
Stories

Photo: Edward Ashworth line drawing 1844

Not sure where to start?

We've created a great Northland heritage adventure to get you started on your heritage journey.

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Photo: Darryl Ward

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