Our Private Auckland to Bay of Islands Tours begin at at a time suitable for you (we suggest around 7am) when we collect you from your Auckland city accommodation. The 3 hour drive north takes us through lush agricultural land, past stands of beautiful native bush and along a coastline which boasts some of the world’s most stunning beaches.
On the way north we stop to look at some magnificent Kauri trees. These trees are some of the world’s tallest, most impressive and most famous trees. The kauri towers over all trees in the New Zealand bush. It takes thousands of years to achieve its massive stature and thoroughly deserves its status as King of the forest.
Further north on the way from Auckland to the Bay of Islands, just offshore stand the long dead volcanic islands Marotini and Taranga (The Hen and Chicken Islands) and Sail Rock which form part of the Pacific Ring of Fire.
At Whangarei, Northland’s largest town, we can stop for a break and a stroll around the beautiful Town Basin development with its chic harbourside cafes and boutiques. Or we can continue our journey to the Bay Of Islands to maximise our time there.
Our first stop in the Bay of Islands is the historic Waitangi Treaty House, set in rolling lawns and gardens overlooking the turquoise waters of the Bay of Islands. It was here, on February 6, 1840, that the Pakeha Governor Hobson and the Paramount Chiefs of Aotearoa (New Zealand) signed the document which formed our bi-cultural nation. Ceillhe Teware Teneti Hema Sperath (Director of our company TIME Unlimited Tours) is a direct descendant of two of those Paramount Chiefs; Patuone and Tamati Waka Nene.
Just a step from the Treaty house is Te Tii, Aotearoa New Zealand’s most famous Marae, or meeting place. Here, every year on Waitangi Day (February 6) the Prime Minister, the chiefs of Maoridom and the people of Aotearoa New Zealand meet to commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. The Whare Whakairo (carved meeting house) here is exquisite; it displays every example of traditional decoration, from whakairo (carving) to (kowhaiwhai) painted scroll patterns. Below the Treaty House and the Marae near the water’s edge lies Ngatokimatawhaorua, the huge, beautifully carved waka of the Ngapuhi Iwi who are the tangata whenua or local people here.
We can provide you with a fully catered gourmet picnic lunch (included in your tour price!), so you are strengthened for the rest of your day with us.
After lunch you can either
Option 1: Take a cruise around the Bay of Islands to the famous hole in the rock (own cost). There are many dolphins in the bay so it pays to have your camera ready.
Option 2: Take the ferry across the bay to Russell, New Zealand’s first capital. Now it’s a sleepy seaside village but it was once a booming colonial hub, so it’s steeped in history, packed with quaint old cottages and dotted with grand mansions, both old and new.
Option 3: You can explore the environs of Paihia and take a walk along the swinging bridges above the mangrove swamps or through the bush to the lovely Haruru Falls.
On your return from your cruise at about 4.30 pm (if you picked that option), we proceed directly back to Auckland, arriving between 7.30 and 8pm.
All our Private Tours - including our Auckland to Bay of Islands Private Tours - include
- Pick up and drop off at your Auckland city hotel;
- Our knowledgeable and friendly guiding during your tour, so you can see places you would never be able to see yourself. Places that in many cases are in no guidebook;
- Admission fee for to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds;
- A fully catered picnic lunch, snacks and hot/cold drinks.
We can also book you a range of Bay of Islands cruise options (not included in our price) as part of your Private Tour – please ask us!
Prices for Auckland to Bay of Islands Private Luxury Day Tours:
5-6 people $245 each
4 people $295 each
3 people $345 each
2 people $475 each
1 person $950
Please contact us if you have any special requirements – we are always happy to fit in with your plans to ensure you have “the TIME of your life!”
P.S.: Please note that for all our Private Tours from Auckland, you have the option of booking multi-day Private Tours to suit your requirements. Please ask us and we’ll be able to advise you, since we know New Zealand exceptionally well and can cater exactly to your individual needs. Please email us for larger groups, which we can price individually.
