Bay of Islands Explorer

Kia Ora and welcome to Auckland for your two night stay. The wonder of New Zealand begins here. Tonight, celebrate your journey with a welcome dinner. Please book your flight to arrive into Auckland prior to 05:00 PM.

Freechoice: Choose from a range of Auckland’s attractions. Enjoy an exhilarating sail on an authentic America’s Cup yacht and be part of the crew. Or, explore the wine and cuisine of Waiheke Island and enjoy tastings of olive oil and wine, as well as a vineyard tour. Alternatively, take a foodie city walking tour, discover the Waitakere Ranges as you walk in the lush rainforest and stroll along the black sand beaches, choose to join a small group tour and discover the history and sights of Auckland or visit Auckland’s latest attractions the Weta Workshop Unleashed and the All Blacks Experience or food walking tour. Freechoice Dining: Your dining choices for tonight include a sunset dinner yacht cruise, Orbit 360 Restaurant at Sky City or dinner at the hotel’s Grand Millennium Brasserie.

Travel north across Auckland’s busy Harbour Bridge, along the Hibiscus Coast towards the Bay of Islands. Visit Matakohe’s award-winning Kauri Museum and gain an insight into the rich pioneering history of New Zealand’s Northland region. The museum specialises in the legacy of the ancient kauri forests, specifically the strong durable timber and the highly prized kauri gum. Continue to the Waipoua Forest, an ancient green world of towering trees and rare birds, and travel past natural gateways created by huge kauri trees and the fringing of colourful ferns along the road’s edge. Enrich The sense of awe you feel as you see the mighty T-ane Mahuta kauri tree for the first time is unforgettable. Listen to the interactive interpretation from your local Maori guide about the importance of the ‘Lord of the Forest’ to both the natural environment and the Maori people. Sunset Drinks Relax over an evening drink watching the sunset at your hotel. Your base for the next three nights is Paihia

Freechoice: Cruise the calm inland waters of the Bay of Islands with lunch included or enjoy a ferry ride to Russell, the birthplace of European settlement in New Zealand. Alternatively, discover the very best of the bay on a scenic cruise and journey through the Hole in the Rock (weather permitting) or join a Taste of the Bay tour.

Enrich Travel to the very top of New Zealand – Cape Reinga. Explore the magnificent lighthouse and see where the waters of the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet. Discover this remote and magical place of deep spiritual significance to the Maori then enjoy the thrill of travelling along Ninety Mile Beach and marvel at the immense sand dunes.

Enrich Discover the birthplace of modern New Zealand at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds with a Maori guide. See the world’s largest waka, a ceremonial war canoe, over 70 years old but still used every year on 6 February to celebrate New Zealand’s Waitangi Day. Head south via the city of Whangarei to the Hundertwasser Art Centre. Learn first-hand the connection between art and nature. Arrive back in Auckland where it’s time to bid a fond farewell to your new friends and the wonders of New Zealand. Please book your flight to depart out of Auckland after 08:30 PM. The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the journey will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.