Highlights
- 4-day tour of the northern region of New Zealand's North Island
- Overnight cruise aboard a luxury catamaran cruising the Bay of Islands
- Leisure time in the resort town of Paihia
- Be dwarfed by the ancient kauri trees in the the legendary Puketi forest
- Travel by coach along Ninety Mile Beach, the sandy highway
- Visit sacred Cape Reinga, the northern-most point of New Zealand
Useful Information
Bay of Islands Overnight Cruise
The following morning watch the sun rise from the privacy of your own sea-view state room, then enjoy breakfast in the catamaran’s restaurant that offers indoor/outdoor dining. On return to Paihia, you will be transferred to your hotel where you will stay for the next two nights. The rest of your day is free to explore the lovely resort town of Paihia.
On day three, you’ll board a coach and travel to the legendary Puketi forest, where giant kauri trees, sacred to the Maori people, tower in solid, sylvan silence. You’ll move among their trunks through a series of walkways before returning to the coach and continuing to Cape Reinga, the northernmost tip of New Zealand. Here you will see the Pacific Ocean collide with the Tasman Sea. In support of New Zealand’s conservation program, you will have the opportunity to purchase a tree to plant. After Cape Reinga, you’ll head to Ninety Mile Beach. This stretch of coastline is known for its rough roads and austere, rugged beauty. For the adventurous, there’s sand-boarding atop the massive dunes that flank the beach. Or you can relax and enjoy the scenery. Your day concludes back at your Paihia hotel.
The next morning, you have a little more time to eat breakfast in Paihia and wander the town before boarding the coach for the ride back to Auckland.
Itinerary
Travel north from Auckland to the Bay of Islands. On arrival in Paihia, transfer to Opua to board the luxurious, four-storey state-of-the-art catamaran offering stylish interiors and 30 state rooms. Overnight: On board. (D)
Day 2: Paihia
After breakfast, disembark the catamaran and transfer to Paihia. The rest of the day is at your leisure to see the sights of Paihia. Overnight: Paihia in your selected category of hotel. (B)
Day 3: Cape Reinga
Board a full-day coach tour to Cape Reinga. Visit the Puketi Kauri Forest to view the great kauri trees. Travel along Ninety Mile Beach. (L)
Overnight: Paihia in your selected category of hotel.
Day 4: Paihia – Auckland
Morning at leisure to explore Paihia. Travel back to Auckland by coach in the early afternoon.
Hotel Categories:
Budget hotels:
Clean, comfortable value-for-money accommodation with private facilities.
Standard hotels:
Full-facility hotel with emphasis on comfort and personalized service. Guestrooms offer more extensive amenities.
Superior hotels:
Superior properties providing excellent locations and service.
Reviewed by Nicole J, April 2013
This trip was extremely worthwhile. The cruise was fabulous, definitely the highlight. Day trip was excellent and lots to do in Paihia in your free time.
Reviewed by BATTERSBY666, United Kingdom, March 2013
BRILLIANT! Would highly recommend this trip. It was a nice mix between organised tour and free time. The cruise was fantastic with great amenities, food and service. Bay of Islands is beautiful and a great place to visit.
