Kauri trees and Bay of islands. Two Days

Tour 203

Kauri Museum and Forests - Hokianga - Bay of Islands Cruise - Russell 

2 days/1 night.   Departs Auckland 08 April for minimum of 2. Other days for minimum of 4.

Day 1.  Monday. AUCKLAND - KAURI MUSEUM AND FOREST - BAY OF ISLANDS.   (L)

Depart Auckland 7.30am and drive north over the Harbour Bridge to the Otamatea Kauri and Early Settlers Museum - the best little museum in New Zealand!. See the amazing displays of kauri gum before continuing through Dargaville to the Waipoua forest. Visit "Tane Mahuta" giant kauri tree - some 2,000 years old and marvel at the views of the Hokianga Harbour and sand dunes. Enjoy our traditional included fish and chips lunch (vegetarian option available if preordered)  Continue to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds for a tour of the Treaty House and 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. Tuesday.              BAY OF ISLANDS - AUCKLAND               (B)

Free morning to relax or enjoy one of the following options

OPTION ONE. BAY OF ISLANDS CRUISE AND RUSSELL

Morning cruise around the Bay of Islands and through the ‘Hole in the Rock’ - weather permitting. Cruise past the islands and into secluded bays. Often dolphins are to be seen during the cruise. 

OPTION TWO:    FLY/ROAD TO CAPE REINGA:  5 hours $450.

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 masive 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.

Option THREE. Waimate and Keri Keri

Drive to Te Waimate Mission Station built as a model farm in 1830, scene of the 2nd signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, and where Charles Darwin enjoyed Christmas with the Missionaries in 1835. Continue through the citrus orchards of Keri Keri to visit the Stone Store which opened for business in 1836 and is still trading. Enjoy a tour of Kemp House bult in 1822 and the oldest building in New Zealand. Visit Rewa's recreated early maori traditional village and Kororipo Pa site, home of the famous Maori chief Hongi Hika. 

We depart the Bay of Islands mid afternoon and arrive Auckland mid evening,

                               .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. Return to Auckland will normally by scheduled Intercity coach from Paihia wharf terminating in Downtown Auckland.