Bay of Islands - 6 day New Zealand Tour
Paihia, Kerikeri, Russell, Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Hokianga Harbour, Waipoua Forest, Kaipara Harbour & more…
Join us on our new shorter 6 day, 5 night adventure to the Bay of Islands, an area full of history, culture and amazing scenery.
Enjoy the famous ‘Hinterland quality hospitality’ as we explore all the best sights the region has to offer. With our first night in Whangarei, then 3 nights in Paihia and our final night in Omapere, we will see all the highlights and still have plenty of time to relax.
DAY 1 Travelling from Tauranga through the coastal Bay of Plenty, our first stop is at the historic Waikino Railway Station cafe for morning tea. It's our shout and a chance for us to get to know our travelling companions. Continuing north through the ‘Big Smoke’ of Auckland we stop for lunch (your cost) at another well known iconic Kiwi pub at Puhoi.
After lunch we head north on SH1, passing through rolling countryside, farmland and native forests, with our route offering stunning coastal views of the offshore islands. Our destination is Whangarei for our first nights accommodation. Once checked in to our hotel there is time to explore the Town Basin before dinner or join us for a visit to see the Wangarei Falls a short distance away. This evening we will dine together at the hotel.
DAY 2 We begin with a visit to the new Hundertwasser Art Centre, an amazing building that showcases the works of Austrian free spirit and artist, Friedensreich Hundertwasser. His ideas of living a life in accordance with the laws of nature, individual creativity, of a waste-free society have now become a mainstream mantra for those concerned about our planet.
Its then a short drive to another of Whangarei's local attractions, the Quarry Garden, a community garden project created by volunteers in the forested western hills of Whangārei City, the once dilapidated quarry site has become a subtropical oasis for all to enjoy. The garden walk takes approximately 1 hour, the track is well-formed with some steep sections, suitable for people of most fitness levels and abilities. Before departing there is time to enjoy a light lunch (your cost) at the cafe before we continue to another local spectacle.
Close to the centre of town, Otuihau Whangārei Falls is a picturesque 26.3 metre-high waterfall, cascading over basalt cliffs. A short walk allows views from either side of the river from two view points high above the river below.
Leaving Whangarei we head north to Paihia, on the way visiting the Kawiti Caves, located in the Waiomio Valley, a scenic valley of lush green forest and unusual rock formations. Waiomio Glowworm Caves are home to thousands of luminous glow worms and breath taking rock formations. Our tour guide will lead you through these easily accessed caves.
Then to our final destination, the famous Kawakawa toilets, created by artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, its unique design has brought visitors from around the world to this small Northland town. A short drive brings us to our accommodation at the Copthrorne Waitangi Hotel, our base for the next three days.
DAY 3 Today we start with a half-day cruise in search of dolphins and other marine life on the comfortable catamaran - the Dolphin Seeker, we cruise to Cape Brett Peninsula to the famous Hole in the Rock on Motukōkako Island. Conditions permitting you may even cruise through the hole! A stop at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island offers a chance to stroll along the white sand beach, or walk to the top of the hill for great views. Refreshments are availble at the cafe.
Heading back to shore we disembark at Russell for lunch (included) at the famous Duke of Marlborough Hotel, followed by a short sightseeing coach tour to see more of this interesting town, once named the "Hell Hole of the Pacific". Returning to Paihia on the ferry, the rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore Paihia.
As a no cost alternative to the Hole in the Rock cruise, you can opt for a visit to Russell for morning tea and a tour of Pompallier House before joining the others for lunch. This is also the option should weather conditions cause the cruise to cancel.
Whats Included:
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6 days of touring
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5 nights quality accommodation
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Door to door service (home pickups)
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Quality Air-conditioned vehicle
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Full commentary from your guide
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All breakfasts and 5 dinners
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Hundertwasser Centre Whangarei
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Whangarei Quarry Gardens
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Lunch at The Duke of Marlborough Hotel
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Hole in the Rock Cruise
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Ferry from Russell to Paihia
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Guided tour of Russell
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Waitangi Treaty grounds and tour
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Butler Point Whaling Museum
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Kerikeri & Stone Store
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Waimate North Mission Station
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Mangungu Mission
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Rainbow Falls Kerikeri
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Matakana Chocolate Factory
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Kawiti Glow worm caves
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The Matakohe Kauri Museum
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Guided tour to Tane Mahuta
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Plenty of stops along the way
You will see:
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Stunning scenery throughout
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The iconic Hundertwasser toilets
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The historic town of Russell
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Paihia with its stunning BOI vistas
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Mangonui and its famous Fish Shop
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The Hokianga Harbour and West Coast
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Tane Mahuta - the 'Lord of the Forest"
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The Kaipara Harbour
Not included:
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Any lunches unless specified*
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Morning/afternoon tea stops*
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Any alcoholic beverages with meals
Single occupancy rooms are available for single travellers at an additional charge of $695.00
DAY 4 Today we head North and our first visit is to the Butler Point Whaling Museum in Doubtless Bay' - the first place in New Zealand where a whaling ship visited in 1792. The Museum has an interesting collection of whaling artefacts and is set in a stunning location on the shore. A chance to look through the historic homestead and the beautiful gardens created in this peaceful location, right on the waters edge.
We then head around the bay for lunch at another local icon - the famous Mangonui Fish Shop, for a delicious selection of freshly caught seafood (your cost). Not feeling hungry, then have a browse along the waterfronts interesting selection of shops,
After lunch we retrace our route South to Kerikeri, stopping to see another local landmark, Rainbow Falls - a spectacular 27m single vertical cascade as the Kerikeri River flows over a hard basalt layer of rock into the gorge below, the waters spray forming rainbows in the sunlight.
Next we head to another of New Zealand’s historic treasures – The Stone Store and Kemp House. These are New Zealand’s oldest stone building (1836) and the oldest wooden building (1822) situated in an idyllic location at the head of the tranquil Kerikeri Inlet. A short tour of both buildings offers a glimpse of early settler life in New Zealand. Our final visit this afternoon is popular for all visitors - the mouth watering Makana Chocolate factory (chocolates and ice-creams to die for!). Its then just a short drive back to our hotel at Waitangi where we will dine this evening.
DAY 5 Today we check out of the hotel and start the day with a visit to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds – New Zealand’s most important historic site, where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840. A guided tour will provide an insight into its significance with time to explore the new interactive museum. There is also enjoy a short cultural performance in the carved meeting house in the grounds with time after to view both museums on site. Lunch (your cost) is at at the Whare Waka cafe before departing.
Our most direct route to our accommodation at Omapere passes by two significant Mission Stations of the far North. Firstly the Te Waimate Mission (New Zealand's second oldest building). We include a short tour of the mission house and grounds where you will learn of the important early encounters between Māori and Europeans and how the Reverend Samual Marsden tried to create a model farm.
Continuing the theme today, our route heads to the Hokianga to visit the site of the largest signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi on the shore of the majestic Hokianga Harbour. The Māngungu Mission’s location allowed it to develop as a point of cultural convergence betweem Maori and the new settlers. No surprise, then, that it was the site of the largest signing of the Te Tiriti o Waitangi, with a crowd of nearly 3,000 watching over 60 rangatira sign the document.
Its then just a short drive to our final nights accommodation right on the waters edge of the Hokianga harbour. We dine together this evening at the hotels restaurant.
DAY 6 Departing Omapere for home, more rugged scenery awaits as we head south through the Waipoua Forest to to visit the ‘Lord of the Forest’ – Tane Mahuta. This majestic Kauri tree is thought to be 2500 years old and is now the largest tree in New Zealand. A short boardwalk will take us into the forest where our expert local Maori guide will provide insight into the role of the forest in both past and current times.
Then on to Dargaville (for a comfort stop) and Matakohe on the edge of the Kaipara Harbour to the Matakohe Kauri Museum, time to enjoy the detailed displays about the kauri timber industry and have lunch (your cost) at the on site Gumdiggers Cafe before we depart South to Tauranga.
On our journey home we will stop for refreshments at the Drury Motorway Services, arriving back to Tauranga around 7pm.
* Please note, that unless specified in the itinerary we do not usually include the cost of lunches or morning and afternoon tea stops in the tour cost, but we always make stops where there are a range of options available so you can choose what you want, and have flexibility to do things on your own if you wish.