Auckland – Bay of Islands Tour (3 Days / 2 Nights) LT38

An independent three day tour to the Bay of Islands departing Auckland daily. The tour includes admission and tour to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, a full day excursion to Cape Regina and 90 mile beach. A sightseeing cruise in the Bay, including the famous ‘hole in the rock’ and a tour of the historic township of Russell. Included are two nights 4 – 4.5 star accommodation in Paihai.

Highlights

• Bay of Islands & Waitangi
• Cape Reinga Day Excursion
• 90 Mile Beach
• Hole in the Rock Cruise
• Historic Russell

Day One: Auckland – Bay of Island with Russell Mini Tour & Dolphin and Hole in the Rock Cruise

Depart Auckland and travel by coach north over Auckland’s Harbour Bridge and along the Hibiscus Coast, with golden sand beaches. Along the journey you may be able to view the kauri, one of New Zealand’s mighty native trees. The journey continues, travelling through Whangarei arriving in the beautiful township of Paihia in the Bay of Islands. This afternoon you will take the ferry from Paihia to Russell where  at 1.00 pm you will join a sightseeing tour of this historic township. At the conclusion of the sightseeing tour from the wharf in Russell enjoy a cruise to Cape Brett and Piercy Island and discover the Bay’s highlights from the water. Sea conditions permitting travel through the cavernous Hole in the Rock and marvel at what nature has created. Spot dolphins frolicking, seals and more. Returned to Paihia late afternoon.  Remainder of the afternoon and evening is at leisure to explore Paihia.

Evening Accommodation: Scenic Circle Bay of Islands Hotel or similar

Day Two: Cape Reinga Day Excursion

Your tour departs Paihia and takes you by road north through rolling heavily forested hill country, including the Puketi Kauri Forest, an ancient subtropical rainforest. For the final leg of your journey to the top of the North Island of New Zealand you will travel along the aptly named Ninety Mile Beach to Cape Reinga, where two great oceans meet at the very top of New Zealand. A buffet style lunch is included on the tour and a stop will be made at a local museum, ( contains good information pertaining to the original Maori and early European settlement of this area). The tour returns to Paihia late afternoon.

Day Three : Paihia – with Waitangi Treaty Grounds – Auckland 

This morning you will visit and have a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds the site of the historic treaty between the Māori and European pioneers. View a magnificent Māori meeting house and large war canoe.  Early afternoon transferred back to the wharf in Paihia to join your coach returning to Auckland. Late afternoon arrive in Auckland you will be transferred to your central city accommodation at which time your tour will conclude.

NOTE:

Independent Touring – this is not a Group Tour – we use local suppliers and you will have a different coach & driver each day

Please note that the coach from Auckland to Paihia and return is an intercity coach (full size tour coach, however, with little to no commentary)