Bay of Islands
Day 1: Auckland to Bay of Islands: Accommodation
Our tour starts in the cosmopolitan city of Auckland, which has a population base of 1,250,000 - over a 1/3 of New Zealand's total population. We drive along the water front towards the Harbour Bridge, heading north via the West Coast road and 'Twin Coast Discovery Highway' towards the Bay of Islands, stopping along the way to visit Tane Mahuta, New Zealand's oldest Kauri Tree, before arriving at the coastal town of Paihia.
*Possible upgrade available here.
Day 2 and 3: Bay of Islands - Paihia: Accommodation
You now have 2 days to explore the subtropical region of Northland. You can opt for a cruise though the famous "Hole in the Rock", sail to a deserted island for lunch, indulge in some deep sea fishing, try some sea kayaking, explore historical Russell or just relax on the beach. You also get to take a trip along Ninety Mile Beach to Cape Reinga, New Zealand's Northern most point. The Bay of Islands has great historical significance as it was the area where the first Europeans settled. It is also where the signing of the Waitangi Treaty took place on the 6th February, 1840 - and the start of an uneasy 'voyage' of New Zealand's bi-cultural society.
*Possible upgrade available here.
Day 4: Bay of Islands to Leigh: Accommodation
5 Days Auckland to Auckland
Day 1: Auckland to Bay of Islands: Accommodation 
Our tour starts in the cosmopolitan city of Auckland, which has a population base of 1,250,000 - over a 1/3 of New Zealand's total population. We drive along the water front towards the Harbour Bridge, heading north via the West Coast road and 'Twin Coast Discovery Highway' towards the Bay of Islands, stopping along the way to visit Tane Mahuta, New Zealand's oldest Kauri Tree, before arriving at the coastal town of Paihia.
*Possible upgrade available here.
Day 2 and 3: Bay of Islands - Paihia: Accommodation
You now have 2 days to explore the subtropical region of Northland. You can opt for a cruise though the famous "Hole in the Rock", sail to a deserted island for lunch, indulge in some deep sea fishing, try some sea kayaking, explore historical Russell or just relax on the beach. You also get to take a trip along Ninety Mile Beach to Cape Reinga, New Zealand's Northern most point. The Bay of Islands has great historical significance as it was the area where the first Europeans settled. It is also where the signing of the Waitangi Treaty took place on the 6th February, 1840 - and the start of an uneasy 'voyage' of New Zealand's bi-cultural society.
*Possible upgrade available here.
Day 4: Bay of Islands to Leigh: Accommodation
Today we head back down the 'Twin Coast Discovery Highway' through
Whangarei and Warkworth to Leigh and the Marine Reserve of Goat Island.
Here you can either take a glass bottom boat tour or for the more
adventurous snorkel amongst New Zealand's abundant marine life. The
sheltered channel between Goat Island and the mainland provides a
opportunity to see red moki, snapper, moral eel, blue cod and of course
crayfish, which is a favourite on the dinner table of upmarket
restaurants. Tonight we can relax around the camp, star gaze and listen
to the relaxing sound of the ocean from our campsite.
Day 5: Leigh to Auckland
Today we head back to Auckland ‘The City of Sails’ where your tour comes to an end.
NOTE:
All Overland NZ tours are flexible and we do our utmost to take you to the best places we possibly can. Our expeditions can sometimes be effected by local climatic conditions and anything else unexpected so please treat this information as a guideline only. When you come to New Zealand be prepared to take things as they come and above all don’t forget your sense of humour!