Itinerary
- Day 1
Auckland to Paihia
Your private transfer picks you up from downtown Auckland and takes you to the bus stop, then you'll head north on a scenic coastal route. The drive passes through small communities like Puhoi and Warkworth before reaching Paihia, a subtropical seaside town with golden beaches and strong Māori cultural roots. Travel time is roughly 3.5 to 4 hours depending on traffic and stops.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and cultural presentation
Optional Activities
- Sail through the Hole in the Rock
- Dolphin watching
- Kayaking
- Fishing
- Beach relaxation
Landmarks Waitangi Treaty Grounds Bay of Islands Hole in the Rock - Day 2
Cape Reinga & Ninety Mile Beach Full Day Tour
A custom-built coach takes you all the way north to the tip of the North Island. You'll try sandboarding on Ninety Mile Beach if weather cooperates, then visit Cape Reinga lighthouse where two oceans meet. Your local guide shares Māori traditions and history along the way. Later, grab lunch and afternoon tea at Ka Uri Unearthed Café with locally prepared food. The full day includes roughly 5 to 6 hours of driving and activities.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Locally prepared lunch)
Included Activities
- Cape Reinga & Ninety Mile Beach full day tour
- Sandboarding experience (weather permitting)
- Locally prepared lunch
- Coffee break in historic beach town
- Afternoon tea at Ka Uri Unearthed Café and Exhibition
Landmarks Cape Reinga Ninety Mile Beach Cape Reinga Lighthouse - Day 3
Hole-in-the-Rock Cruise
Board a purpose-built catamaran from Paihia and cruise toward Cape Brett through the Bay of Islands. If conditions allow, the boat navigates through the Hole in the Rock, a narrow natural passage. Keep an eye out for dolphins, whales, and other marine life along the way. The boat stops at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island where you can swim, walk around, relax, or visit the licensed café. Plan for about 4 to 5 hours on the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hole in the Rock cruise
- Guided tour through islands and Rakaumangamanga Peninsula
- Stop at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island
Optional Activities
- Dolphin watching
- Walking at Otehei Bay
- Swimming at Otehei Bay
- Café visit at Otehei Bay
Landmarks Hole in the Rock Cape Brett Piercy Island / Motukōkako Urupukapuka Island - Day 4
Russell Mini Tour
A 15-minute ferry takes you from Paihia to Russell, a quiet historic town. You'll join a one-hour guided bus tour covering key historical sites like Christ Church (the oldest place of worship in New Zealand), the Marlborough Hotel (which holds New Zealand's oldest liquor license), and Flagstaff Hill for views across the bay. Your guide explains Russell's rough past as a lawless trading port and its role in early New Zealand history.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Russell Mini Tour
- Ferry transfer from Paihia to Russell
Optional Activities
- Big game fishing charters
- Sightseeing charters
Landmarks Christ Church Marlborough Hotel Flagstaff Hill Bay of Islands Swordfish Club - Day 5
Paihia to Auckland
Head south from the Bay of Islands back toward Auckland on State Highway 1. The route takes you through Kawakawa, known locally as the train town, then through farming areas around Wellsford and Warkworth. After crossing the harbor bridge into Auckland, a private transfer brings you from the bus stop to your accommodation. This return journey takes about 3.5 to 4 hours and marks the end of your tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast
