3-Day Bay of Islands Winterless North Tour from Auckland **Small groups** **Passionate Kiwi guides**
Departure City End City
Duration
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Tour Themes
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Activity LevelHighlights
• See one of the world's largest trees (Included)
• Sundowner Cruis
Itinerary
DAY 1 – AUCKLAND TO PAIHIA
Kia ora! Nau mai, haere mai ki Aotearoa! Hello and welcome to New Zealand –The Land of the Long White Cloud!
After our 8am welcome breakfast, we’ll kick off our tour with a leisurely scenic drive to the subtropical “Winterless North”. The Northland region is home to some seriously ancient and impressive kauri forests. We’ll stroll through the largest of these – the Waipoua Forest – to meet Tāne Mahuta, the largest of them all. At over 1,250 years old and over 51 metres tall, he’s looking pretty good for his age. We reach the town of Paihia, the jewel of the Bay of Islands, in the early evening. As the sun sets, we’ll treat you all to a fish and chips feast overlooking the water. It doesn’t get more Kiwi than that!
DAY 2 – PAIHIA
With more than 140 sub-tropical islands dotted around the coastline, how will you spend your day in the Bay? Hitting the water is the best way to enjoy the coves and beaches of this corner of paradise, and the options are endless. Cruise through a natural rock archway, explore the ocean floor on a scuba mission, sail in search of the local dolphins, or snorkel your way around beautiful islands. Check out our awesome add-ons for ideas or hit up your guide for inspiration. Tonight hop on board a catamaran for a Sundowner Cruise! Departing in the evening, you'll enjoy some smooth sailing aboard a catamaran and explore the inner bays of Paihia, Opua, Russel and Waitangi from a different perspective. Whatever you choose, you’ll have epic stories to swap with your travel buddies tonight as the sun sets on an awesome day.
DAY 3 – PAIHIA TO AUCKLAND
Today, discover the Bay of Islands’ important role in New Zealand’s history with a trip to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. We love bringing you here, it’s a truly unforgettable insight into Māori culture. The 35-metre carved waka (ceremonial war canoe), the world’s biggest, is a must-see. After lunch we say goodbye to the Bay. We make time for a very special rest stop in Kawakawa to check out the grass-roofed, mosaic-covered, cobblestoned Hundertwasser Toilets. There’s even a living tree in there. There are some beautiful waterfalls around the area, if you know where to look – and we certainly do! So we’ll stop off at one of them, depending on the weather and what your Haka Guide’s favourite spot is. We head back to Auckland via Northland’s east coast, which boasts stunning beaches and coastal walks. Be sure to have your swimwear handy – if time permits, your Haka Guide will take you to some of their top locations! After an epic day, we reach the bright lights of the City of Sails in the early evening.
What’s Included
- 3 nights of accommodation in dorm share
- Continental breakfast every day
- Fish & chips dinner with spectacular Bay of Islands views
- Sundowner Cruise aboard a catamaran in the Bay of Islands (summer only - we'll provide a surprise activity in winter)
- Marvel at the Hokianga Harbour and its giant sand dunes
- Visit Tāne Mahuta – a giant kauri tree in the Waipoua Forest
- Visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the birthplace of New Zealand
- Check out the Hundertwasser Toilets in Kawakawa
- Take in amazing coastlines and golden beaches
- Plus surprise stops on the way
- All personal expenses that not mentioned in Package Includes
Special Notes
- 58 Days or more Prior to Departure Date: 10% penalty;
- 33-57 Days Prior to Departure Date: 30% penalty;
- 17-32 Days Prior to Departure Date: 60% penalty;
- 16 Days or less Prior to Departure Date: 100% penalty.
The time we mentioned in the itinerary is for reference only. Please refer to your guide on tour for the actual arrangement. The visiting order and duration might be changed according to actual and practical situation for better service.
This tour/activity is overseen by a select local operator in the region. Upon booking your tour or activity and after receiving confirmation, you will be issued an e-ticket detailing the local operator's name and contact information. If you require assistance finding a specific tour, please contact us for more information.
Yellow Fever Vaccination Requirement: If you have traveled to or transited through yellow fever-endemic regions including East African countries (excluding Tanzania) or South American countries, either before or after your trip, you may be required to present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. This requirement can apply not only for joining tours but also for certain flights or entry into specific countries. For more details, please refer to the official site: : Yellow Fever Risk Areas - Fit for Travel
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