Best of Northland. 3 days. small group tour. Departs Auckland every Monday.

Please note:

Winter realities - August-September. Cape Reinga Coach tours and Bay of Islands cruise are subject to minimum numbers. The Cape Reinga fly/road tour cannot land in winter but does a 2 hour scenic flight from Kerikeri including circling Cape Reinga and overflying the beaches for a minimum of 2. Same cost $480 applies.

Tour 204.        BEST OF NORTHLAND small group driver escorted tour.  3 days/2 nights.

Auckland, Kauri Museum and forest, "Tane Mahuta" giant kauri tree, Hokianga Harbour, Waitangi Treaty Grounds and museum, Cape Reinga day excursion, Bay of Islands cruise, historic Russell.

Departs Auckland every monday for minimum of 2 passengers. Other days for minimum of 4 subject to availability of driver/guide and vehicle.

Unsolicited comments from past clients ;

On behalf of our family group I would like to thank you for the unforgettable trip you organised for us. We highly appreciate your considerations with our need to be together as a family group, and for the excellent organisation during the whole trip. (E.R. Israel). 

Day 1. Monday.     AUCKLAND - KAURI FORESTS - HOKIANGA -  BAY OF ISLANDS                                 (BL)
Depart Auckland 7.30am and drive north over the Harbour Bridge and on to the Otamatea Kauri and Early Settlers Museum - the best little museum in New Zealand!. See the amazing displays of kauri gum and early settlers way of life before continuing through Dargaville to the Waipoua forest. Visit "Tane Mahuta" giant kauri tree - some 2,000 years old and enjoy the views of the Hokianga Harbour and sand dunes. A traditonal 'fish and chips' lunch is  included on the shores of the Hokianga Harbour (vegetarian option available if preordered). Continue to the  Waitangi Treaty House where the Treaty of Friendship between Maori and the British Government was signed in 1840, the beautifully carved meeting house and see the great war canoe and new Waitangi Museum.  Accommodation in Bay of Islands for 2 nights 

Day 2. Tuesday.              CAPE REINGA EXCURSION               (BL)
Travel by special coach to Ninety Mile Beach for a drive on the sands and see the amazing Te Paki sand dunes and quicksand. Visit Cape Reinga lighthouse and see the meeting of the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean. Return to Paihia early evening. Picnic lunch is included today.

FLY/ROAD TO CAPE REINGA: For a shorter day, a bigger experience, and fabulous scenery not seen from the ground transfer from your hotel to Kerikeri airport and fly north over Ninety Mile beach to land near Cape Reinga. Your special vehicle will be waiting for a 2.5 hour (approx) land tour to Te Paki stream and massive sand dunes on Ninety Mile beach, Cape Reinga light house, Tapotupotu Bay. Fly back to Keri Keri via the fabulous coastal scenery of Parengarenga Harbour, Great Exhibition Bay, Houhora Harbour, Karikari Peninsula, Whangaroa Harbour, Cavalli Islands and Bay of Islands. Return to Kerikeri airport and transfer back to you hotel. Departs twice daily in summer, once daily in winter - extra cost instead of coach $360 per adult. Total time from Paihia approximately 5 hours

Day 3. Wednesday.       BAY OF ISLANDS - AUCKLAND          (B)
Enjoy a cruise around the beautiful Bay of Islands this morning to Cape Brett and pass through the 'hole in the rock' - weather permitting. Cruise past the islands and into secluded bays. Usually dolphins are to be seen during this cruise. Disembark at historic Russell for a short tour and see the oldest church in New Zealand and Pompallier House. Return to Auckland early evening with a short stop at the Whangarei boat harbour en route. 

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NORTHLAND HIGHLIGHTS. 3 days/2 nights - extendable. 

This is a FREEDOM TOUR using Intercity coaches to and from the Bay of Islands departing daily for a minimum of 1 

Bay of Islands including cruise and Russell tours. - 3 days/2 nights 

Departs Auckland DAILY for minimum of 1

Day 1.       AUCKLAND - BAY OF ISLANDS                               
7.30am. Depart Auckland Intercity coach terminal in Hobson St and drive north over the Harbour Bridge, through the Hibiscus Coast, and on to Paihia in the Bay of Islands arriving 11.40am (alternative coach available most days departing 1pm - arriving 5.15pm. Accommodation and breakfast for 2 nights is sually at the Kingsgate Hotel, 2 minutes walk from the coach, pier, and Visitor Centre. This afternoon  the Waitangi Treaty Grounds (a pleasant 25 minute walk along the waterfront)  for a tour of the Treaty House, scintillating Maori cultural performance (not always available in winter), see the great war canoe, and enjoy the excellent Treaty Museum opened in 2016 and video presentations portraying the events of 4-6 February, 1840. Also visit the new 2nd World War Maori Battalion museum.

Day 2.         CAPE BRETT CRUISE AND RUSSELL               (B)
Enjoy a 4.5 hour cruise around the beautiful Bay of Islands this morning to Cape Brett and pass through the 'hole in the rock' - weather permitting. Cruise past the islands and into secluded bays. Usually dolphins are to be seen during this cruise. Disembark at historic Russell for a short tour including the exterior of Pompallier House and a visit to Flagstaff Hill. Take time to wander and visit historic Christ Church - oldest church in New Zealand, museum, and Pompallier House  (museum and Pompallier House admissions extra.

Cruise departs Paihia 8.30am and 2pm daily September - May and 10am June - August. Returns to Russell approximately 4 hours 20 minutes later and Paihia 4 hours 30 minutes later. 

Day 3.     PAIHIA - AUCKLAND   (b)

Time to explore at your leisure. Coaches depart Paihia for Auckland at 7.45am arriving 12pm, (also)  10.15am arriving 3.50pm, (and) 1.35pm arriving 5.45pm

Tour cost per person   2 per room  $990. Single Room $1,420

Extra nights accommodation and breakfast at Kingsgate Hotel. Cost per person:   $150 share twin. $270 single.
Accommodation can be upgraded to Scenic Bay of Islands Hotel (Best hotel in the Bay) or Copthorne Waitangi (Best location in the Bay) for extra cost.

STAY LONGER. 
We do recommend an extra night or two in the Bay of Islands to enjoy all that it has to offer. This will provide a more relaxed time in Russell and gives you the option of taking the historic 'Cream cruise', R Tucker Thomson tall ship cruise, and/or swim with the dolphins cruise either instead of, or as well as the most popular Cape Brett cruise we include. 

CAPE REINGA

Visiting Cape Reinga at the top of New Zealand is a special experience. Extend your stay in the Bay by a day and enjoy it or we can adjust your sightseeing to include Cape Reinga on day 2. These options should be reserved well in advance as they are very busy during summer..

Option One. One day coach tour by special coach.  Depart Paihia 7am - return about 6.30pm. - extra cost $170. 11.5 hours.

Depart at 7am by special bus for Cape Reinga at the top of New Zealand travelling part way on the sands of Ninety Mile Beach. See the meeting of the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean and some of the beautiful beaches. Option to Boogie Board on the giant sand dunes.  Enjoy the drive down the beautiful East Coast passing Doubtless Bay, Coopers Beach, and Mangonui on the beautiful Whangaroa Harbour arriving Paihia early evening. Picnic lunch included.

Option Two - highly recommended. 4.5 hour tour by air and road. Extra cost $460. 

Departs Kerikeri airport 8.30am and 1.15pm (morning - minimum of 2. Afternoon subject to demand). Transfers from Paihia provided.

Fly north over Kerikeri vineyards and orchards, Whangaroa Harbour, Rangaunu Harbour, Ninety Mile Beach, and land near Cape Reinga for a 2 hour road trip by special vehicle to Cape Reinga lighthouse, Tapotupotu Bay, and Te Paki stream. Return to the plane and overfly Parengarenga Harbour, Great Exhibition Bay, Houhora Harbour, and Cavalli islands returning to the Bay of islands. See parts of the north not seen from the road for an unforgettable experience.  

Option 3. R Tucker Thompson tall  ship sailing.

The R Tucker Thompson tall ship resumes sailing for the summer. Day sail (Departs Russell 10am - Returns 3.30pm including lunch $159. Sundowner sail 4.00pm - Return 5.45pm.$67.50. This option can be taken monday or tuesday.

Many other activities available including kayaking to Haruru Falls, Parasailing, deep sea big game  fishing, golf  etc..