Tour 110
KAURI MUSEUM AND FOREST, HOKIANGA, AND BAY OF ISLANDS
Depart Auckland 8.00am. Drive north over the harbour Bridge and along the Hibiscus Coast to the Otamatea Kauri and Early Settlers Museum, one of the best little museums in New Zealand. Learn of the importance of the kauri tree to the development of Northland and see the lifestyle of the early settlers. Continue through Ruawai 'kumara capital' of New Zealand, and Dargaville into the Waipoua kauri forest. Visit "Tane Mahuta" giant kauri tree - some 2000 years old. Enjoy the views of the Hokianga Harbour and enjoy our included fish, chips, and salad lunch (Vegetarian option available). See the statue to "Opo" the dolphin then into historic Rawene. See Clendon house exterior (built 1862) and learn of Baron Du Thierry self styled 'Sovereign Chief of New Zealand'. Continue to Te Waimate Mission station built as a model farm in 1830 and where Charles Darwin enjoyed christmas with the missionaries in 1835. It is also the scene of the 2nd signing of the Treaty of Waitangi on the 10th February, 1840. Continue to the Bay of Islands for a brief coffee break and look before returning to Auckland mid evening.
An optional helicopter flight over the Bay of islands and to Cape Brett is available.