Description

Experience the Northland region of our country and soak up the sunshine. With plenty of stops along the way and a huge range of activities to do while you are in Paihia ranging from dolphin swimming to sky diving, this is the best way to experience the “Winterless North”.

ALL HAKA TOURS INCLUDE

• ORIENTATION TOUR – We give you the low-down on every location
• COMFORTABLE TRANSPORT – With plenty of room to spread out
• CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST EVERY DAY – Heaps of options for everyone (you too, vegans!)
• HIGH-END HOSTEL ACCOMMODATION – Dorm share, upgrades available
• EXPERIENCED LOCAL GUIDE – Friendly, knowledgeable and passionate about NZ
• SMALL GROUPS – MAXIMUM 16 – Because you’re more than just a number!

Tour Inclusions

• Discover NZ’s most spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Areas
• Journey through National Parks
• Visit Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the birthplace of New Zealand
• Feast on a fish and chip dinner with spectacular Bay of Islands views
• Check out the wacky and wonderful Hundertwasser Toilets in Kawakawa
• Marvel at Hokianga Harbour’s giant sand dunes
• Explore the Northland East Coast’s stunning beaches and coastal walks
• Plus many surprise stops along the way

DAY 1 – AUCKLAND TO PAIHIA

Kia ora! Nau mai, haere mai ki Aotearoa! Hello and welcome to New Zealand –The Land of the Long White Cloud!

After our 8am welcome breakfast, we’ll kick off our tour with a leisurely scenic drive to the subtropical “Winterless North”. The Northland region is home to some seriously ancient and impressive kauri forests. We’ll stroll through the largest of these – the Waipoua Forest – to meet Tane Mahuta, the hugest of them all. At over 1,250 years old and over 51 metres tall, he’s looking pretty good for his age. We’ll also visit Hokianga Harbour, unique for its 150 metre high sand dunes. When the weather’s fine and the tides are on our side, you’ve got the option of sandboarding down into the beautiful water – it’s an unforgettable experience worth the cheap and cheerful price!

We reach the town of Paihia, the jewel of the Bay of Islands, in the early evening. As the sun sets, we’ll treat you all to a fish and chips feast overlooking the water. It doesn’t get more Kiwi than that!

DAY 2 – PAIHIA

With more than 140 sub-tropical islands dotted around the coastline, how will you spend your day in the Bay?

Hitting the water is the best way to enjoy the coves and beaches of this corner of paradise, and the options are endless. Cruise through a natural rock archway, explore the ocean floor on a scuba mission, sail in search of the local dolphins (or even swim with them!), or snorkel your way around beautiful islands. Check out our awesome add-ons for ideas or hit up your guide for inspiration. For an epic day out, take a road trip to Cape Reinga – the northernmost tip of New Zealand – to see where the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean collide. It’s an unforgettable sight. Thrill-seekers – you’ll have the chance to fly high above the ocean on a parasailing adventure. Or hire a kayak, sail boat or stand-up paddleboard and check out the Bay of Islands from sea level.

Whatever you choose, you’ll have epic stories to swap with your travel buddies tonight as the sun sets on an awesome day.

DAY 3 – PAIHIA TO AUCKLAND

Today, discover the Bay of Islands’ important role in New Zealand’s history with a trip to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. We love bringing you here, it’s a truly unforgettable insight into Maori culture. The 35-metre carved waka (ceremonial war canoe), the world’s biggest, is a must-see.

After lunch we say goodbye to the Bay. We make time for a very special rest stop in Kawakawa to check out the grass-roofed, mosaic-covered, cobblestoned Hundertwasser Toilets. There’s even a living tree in there. There are some beautiful waterfalls around the area, if you know where to look – and we certainly do! So we’ll stop off at one of them, depending on the weather and what your Haka Guide’s favourite spot is. We head back to Auckland via Northland’s east coast, which boasts stunning beaches and coastal walks. Be sure to have your swimwear handy – if time permits, your Haka Guide will take you to some of their top locations!

After an epic day, we reach the bright lights of the City of Sails in the early evening.