Special interest and themed itineraries

NORTHLAND ITINERARIES

A natural playground

Northland idulgence - food, wine, art

Northland birthplace of a nation - heritage and culture

Northland 3.5 days

Northland 2.5 days

A Natural Playground

Day one: Auckland – Hokianga (total driving time 4 hours)

• On the way to the Hokianga visit the Kauri Museum in Matakohe, and discover the history of the kauri tree, its timber, gum, and the early pioneers to the district
• Next stop is Dargaville for lunch – make sure you order the local speciality: kumara (sweet potato)
• Drive on to Kai Iwi lakes for a refreshing fresh water dip.
• Towards Waipoua Forest stop at Trounson Kauri Park which offers excellent interpretation of a dynamic forest system. Listen to the sounds of fantails, pied tits and other forest birds, in the amazing surrounds of kauri, taraire, kauri grass, kiekie and ferns.
• Drive through Waipoua Forest and follow the steep climb of the highway to suddenly reveal the majestic beauty of the Hokianga Harbour. Check into your accommodation.
• After dinner join Footprints Waipoua for a spiritual, cultural and ecological encounter in Waipoua Forest with the largest kauri tree in the world: Tane Mahuta (Lord of the forest).

Overnight in Hokianga

Day two: Hokianga – Bay of Islands (total driving time 1.5 hours)

• Before your departure make sure you sand toboggan down those gigantic white sand dunes.
• We’re on our way to the Bay of Islands, for the ultimate eco adventure: swim with the dolphins.

Overnight Bay of Islands

Day three: Bay of Islands – Tutukaka (total driving time 1 hour)

• Kiwi Eco Tours take you out by boat to the Cape Brett lighthouse and provide access to walking tracks on the Cape Brett peninsula, on both Department of Conservation and Maori Trust land. Their experienced guides share with you their knowledge and appreciation of nature, Maori history and culture. This experience includes around 3 hours guided walk to Deep Water Cove.
• In the afternoon drive to Tutukaka, gateway to the world renowned Poor Knights Island marine reserve – one of Jacques Cousteau’s top dive spots of the world. T he Tutukaka coast is picturesque and has some of the finest beaches and scenery.
• On arrival explore Whale Bay – only accessible by foot (5 minute walk), and Sandy Bay, venue for the surf championships.

Accommodation Tutukaka

Day four: Tutukaka – Auckland (total driving time 3 hours)

• Explore the Poor Knight Islands: the water is known for its clarity and an abundance of sea life. Sea currents and visibility up to 30 metres underwater allow the diver, (and kayaker or snorkeler) to see a highly-populated, rich and diverse tapestry of marine life, also the world’s largest sea cave can be found here.
• In the afternoon (approx 4pm) return to Auckland

Northland Indulgence – food, wine & art - 5 days  

Day one: Auckland – Mangawhai / Bream Bay (total driving time 2 hours)

• Depart Auckland for a leisurely drive to Mangawhai with its popular surf beach Mangawhai heads, stunning white sand dunes, and wildlife sanctuary.
• Have lunch in one of Mangawhai’s cafes. Over recent years Mangawhai has developed quite a reputation for quality contemporary style food.
• Enjoy a round of golf at the world class 18-hole championship golf course.
• Drive on to Bream Bay which offers miles of white sandy beaches, waterfalls, caves and the quaint village of Waipu. Discover an eclectic range of contemporary art by local and international artists.

Accommodation: lodge in Bream Bay

Day two: Bream Bay – Bay of Islands (total driving time 2 hours)

• On the way to the Bay of Islands visit Whangarei. Call in at Longview Estate, Whangarei's award winning winery, for a taste of fine Northland merlot.
• Quayside at the Whangarei Town Basin is the place to go for stylish cafes and restaurants, art galleries, a glass-blowing studio, specialty shops and the National Clock Museum.
• Last stop before you reach the Bay are the most famous toilets in New Zealand: the Hundertwasser toilets in Kawakawa.
• Drive to the Bay of Islands, check into your lodge accommodation and rejuvenate your body and soul. Enjoy the highest standard of comfort and service – Pacific Rim cuisine, the latest spa and massage therapies and calming sea views.

Accommodation: Bay of Islands luxury resort

Day three: Bay of Islands – Matauri Bay/Karikari Peninsula (total driving time 2 hours)

• Visit Kerikeri with plenty of galleries, fruit and art. Follow the art and craft trail and get to know some of the artisans. Visit the wineries, indulge in delicious handmade chocolates or locally made macadamia liqueur.
• In the afternoon, drive to Matauri Bay and play golf at the prestigious Kauri Cliffs golf course
• Drive on to Mangonui with its famous fish & chips shop. A lot of artists are living in this beautiful seaside town where art can be bought from the local shops
• Visit Northland’s northernmost winery on Karikari peninsula, taste their award winning wines while enjoying the spectacular sea views. Carrington also offers an internationally acclaimed tournament golf course.

Accommodation: The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs, Cavalli Beach House, Kingfish Lodge Carrington

Day four: Karikari Peninsula – Hokianga (total driving time 3 hours – via car ferry)

• Visit the Ancient Kauri Kingdom where you find art, craft and furniture produced from prehistoric swamp kauri.
• Drive on to Ahipara, Gateway to 90 Mile Beach and home of Northland's most awarded winery. Ahipara also boasts one of the best left-hand surf breaks in the world.
• Next stop is the Copthorne Omapere Hotel to sample their speciality: crayfish
• Visit some of the art galleries in the Hokianga (Kohukohu, Rawene, Omapere and Opononi) before meandering into Waipoua Forest and viewing Tane Mahuta, the largest kauri tree in the world.

Overnight Hokianga

Day five: Waipoua – Auckland (total driving time 4 hours)

• On the way to Auckland visit the Kauri Museum in Matakohe, and discover the history of the kauri tree, its timber, gum, and the early pioneers to the district
• At Wellsford turn off into State Highway 16 and discover the vineyards and orchards north west of Auckland.

Northland birthplace of a nation

– heritage & culture 4 days

Day one: Auckland – Bay of Islands (total driving time 4 hours)

• On the way to the Bay of Islands visit the Waipu Heritage Centre and learn about the great migration of Scottish Highlanders who moved from Novia Scotia to New Zealand where they established the Waipu settlement
• Stop at the colonial styled Quayside at the Whangarei Town Basin for lunch; visit Claphams Clocks with their collection of 1400 clocks. Then on to the Whangarei Museum & Heritage Park
• On the way to the Bay of Islands stop for afternoon tea at the historical Fallowfield Café in Kawakawa
• Check into your accommodation, and in the early evening view the Culture North Night Show: theatrical drama, staged at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds depicting the culture and 1100 year story of New Zealand and the Treaty of Waitangi.

Overnight Bay of Islands

Day two: Bay of Islands

• R ussell is one of New Zealand's first European settlements and was once known as 'The Hell Hole of the Pacific'. Its history is reflected today in the many buildings seen around town such as Christ Church, Pompallier and the Russell Police Station. The Russell Museum tells the history of Russell and the surrounding area and includes a one-fifth scale replica of Captain Cook's boat 'Endeavour'. A short walk up Flagstaff Hill will give an entire view of Russell and the Bay of Islands.
• Visit the Waitangi Treaty grounds, where the Treaty of Waitangi was first signed in 1840 between Maori Chiefs and the British Crown. View the historic Treaty House, a fully carved Maori Meeting House, Maori war canoe and exhibitions.
• Visit the Waimate Mission House, heart of the Church Missionary Society’s model farm
• Visit the Kerikeri Mission Station: experience Kororipo Pa, stronghold of the fierce fighting chief Hongi Hika. Marvel at the workmanship of New Zealand’s two oldest buildings: the Stone Store and Kemp House.

Overnight Bay of Islands

Day three: Bay of Islands – Hokianga (total driving time 2 hours)

• Maori oral history records Kupe’s first landing was on the shores of the Hokianga Harbour. Known also as Te Kohanga o Te Tai Tokerau (the nest of the northern tribes), it is the central point from which most Northland Maori trace their ancestry. Many of the country's bicultural families also have their origins here.
• Many small picturesque villages dot the Hokianga,. Rawene, New Zealand's third oldest European settlement, has historic Clendon House. Moving up the harbour the second oldest European settlement, Horeke, was the site of a thriving ship-building industry as early as 1826. Nearby is the Mangungu Mission House, established the following year by the Wesleyan missionaries at the invitation of chief Patuone. At the same time, across the water, Kohukohu developed a prosperous timber trade and at one time was the largest social and cultural centre in the North. Signs of its past glory can still be seen.
• Drive to Waipoua Forest and view 2000 year old Tane Mahuta, the world’s largest kauri tree.

Overnight Hokianga .

Day four: Hokianga – Auckland (total driving time 4 hours)

• Stop in Dargaville and explore the history of the North and Kaipara Harbour in Dargaville Museum. Here you will find relics from many of the area's shipwrecks.
• Visit the Kauri Museum in Matakohe, and discover the history of the kauri tree, its timber, gum, and the early pioneers to the district.

Northland basic itinerary 3½ days

Day one: Auckland – Hokianga (total driving time 4 hours)

• On the way to the Hokianga visit the Kauri Museum in Matakohe, and discover the history of the kauri tree, its timber, gum, and the early pioneers to the district
• Next stop is Dargaville for lunch – make sure you order the local speciality: kumara (sweet potato)
• Stop at Waipoua Forest and view 2000 year old Tane Mahuta, the world’s largest kauri tree.
• Follow the steep climb of highway 12 to suddenly reveal the majestic beauty of the Hokianga Harbour. Check into your accommodation.

Overnight in Hokianga

Day two: Hokianga – Bay of Islands (total driving time 1½ hours)’

• Drive to the Bay of Islands and visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds , where the Treaty of Waitangi was first signed in 1840 between Maori Chiefs and the British Crown. View the historic Treaty House, a fully carved Maori Meeting House, Maori war canoe and exhibitions.
• In the afternoon go on an eco cruise and swim with the dolphins or explore the Bay of Islands on board the ‘Hole in the Rock’ cruise.

Overnight Bay of Islands

Day three: Bay of Islands – Cape Reinga

• Take a trip to Cape Reinga (full day on coach, half day by plane & 4WD), and explore 90 Mile Beach, Cape Reinga, Taputopotu Bay and Te Paki sand dunes (sand tobogganing)

Overnight Bay of Islands

Day four: Bay of Islands – Auckland (total driving time 3.5 hours)

 

Northland basic itinerary 2½ days

 Day one: Auckland – Bay of Islands (total driving time 5½ hours)

• On the way to the Hokianga visit the Kauri Museum in Matakohe, and discover the history of the kauri tree, its timber, gum, and the early pioneers to the district
• Next stop is Dargaville for lunch – make sure you order the local speciality: kumara (sweet potato)
• Stop at Waipoua Forest and view 2000 year old Tane Mahuta, the world’s largest kauri tree.
• Follow the steep climb of highway 12 to suddenly reveal the majestic beauty of the Hokianga Harbour.
• Drive to the Bay of Islands and visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds , where the Treaty of Waitangi was first signed in 1840 between Maori Chiefs and the British Crown. View the historic Treaty House, a fully carved Maori Meeting House, Maori war canoe and exhibitions.

Overnight Bay of Islands

Day two: Bay of Islands

• In the morning go on an eco cruise and swim with the dolphins or explore the Bay of Islands on board the ‘Hole in the Rock’ cruise
• In the afternoon take a trip to Cape Reinga (half day by plane & 4WD), and explore 90 Mile Beach, Cape Reinga, Taputopotu Bay and Te Paki sand dunes (sand tobogganing)

Overnight Bay of Islands

Day three: Bay of Islands – Auckland (total driving time 3.5 hours)

 

 

Sample Caption after image.

 

Sample Caption after image.

.