Bay of Islands Tour Itinerary

Bay of Islands

5 Days Auckland to Auckland
Price: NZ380 AU340 £170 €210 C$320 US$310

Day 1: Auckland to Bay of Islands. Accommodation:

Our tour starts in the cosmopolitan city of Auckland, which has a population base of approximately 1,250,000 - over a 1/3 of New Zealand’s total population. We start the day by driving 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.

Day 2 and 3: Bay of Islands. 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 or just relax on the beach. You also have the opportunity to take a trip along Ninety Mile Beach to Cape Reinga, New Zealand’s Northern most point, or explore the town of Russell, New Zealand’s first settlement. 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.

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 an open fire, 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!