Best of Northland. 3 days. Small group tour departs weekly. Independent tour daily

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 (except 30 December) for minimum of 2 passengers. Other days for minimum of 4 subject to availability of driver/guide

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). 

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Northland Highlights Independent tour. 3 days/2 nights - extendable. Departs Auckland daily for minimum of 1. Travel to and from Bay of Islands by Intercity coach. Includes Bay of Islands cruise and Cape Reinga tour. Itinerary at bottom of this page.

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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. 

Tour cost per person: $1,790 share twin. $1,980 single room.

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Tour 004. Northern Highlights.. BAY OF ISLANDS SUPERDEAL INCLUDING CAPE REINGA. 3 days/2 nights - extendable. 

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

Departs Auckland DAILY for minimum of 1

Day 1.       AUCKLAND - BAY OF ISLANDS                               
7.30am. Depart Auckland Intercity coach terminal at back of Skycity, 102 Hobson St and drive north over the Harbour Bridge 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 usually at the Kingsgate Hotel, 2 minutes walk from the coach, pier, and Visitor Centre.

2.00pm. Depart Paihia and enjoy a cruise around the beautiful Bay of Islands to Cape Brett and pass through the 'hole in the rock' - weather permitting. Cruise past the islands and into secluded bays and stopover at Urupukapuka Island with time to explore and purchase lunch. Usually dolphins are to be seen during this cruise. Return to Paihia 6.30pm

Day 2.         CAPE REINGA              (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- extra cost $300: 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 8.30am and 1.30pm. Total time from Paihia approximately 5 hours

Day 3.     BAY OF ISLANDS CRUISE  - AUCKLAND   (B)

This morning explore the Waitangi Treaty Grounds (a pleasant 25 minute walk along the waterfront). Admission is included for a tour of the Treaty House, scintillating Maori cultural performance, 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 if you wish.

You may have time to take the ferry to historic Russell (15 minutes - fares not included) and return. Ferries operate every 30 minutes. 

1.35pm. Depart Paihia by Intercity coach arriving Auckland Skycity coach terminal 5.45pm.

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

$100 per person surcharge 23 December, 2024  - 06 January, 2025 

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. 

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. 

The R Tucker Thompson tall ship resumes sailing for the summer 03 December, 2024  -  21 April, 2025.  Day sail (Departs Russell 10am - Returns 3.30pm including lunch $179 (departs Paihia by ferry 0930). Sundowner sail 4.00pm - Return 5.45pm.$99.

Russell Mini tour departs Russell wharf daily 10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm for a 1 hour introduction to historic Russell (Kororareka). Discover the 'Hell Hole of the Pacific base for whalers and traders in the 1800's. See the oldest church in New Zealand and stand atop Flagstaff Hill. Extra cost $35

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