New Zealand Touring Vacations Bay of Islands Independent Coach & Self Drive Tours

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Suggested Itineraries > Touring Vacations > Bay of Islands

New Zealand Touring Vacation

Bay of Islands
(4 days/3 nights)

As well as enjoying the historical significance of being one of the first regions of New Zealand to be settled by Europeans, the Bay of Islands is famous for its warm climate, spectacular coastline and golden beaches and a wide variety of aquatic activities. The waters offer abundant game fishing (including marlin) and scuba diving opportunities as well as thrilling boat excursions around the islands and to the Hole in the Rock.

Transport Options
This itinerary is perfect for travel by self drive rental car or seat-in-coach on scheduled motorcoach services.

Vacation Highlights

3 nights in the beautiful Bay of Islands, with accommodation as selected
The Day in the Bay Cruise with Kings Tours
Cape Reinga day excursion with Kings Tours
4 days unlimited kilometre self drive rental car hire (self drive option) or InterCity coach transport (seat in coach option)
Option to extend your stay.

Touring Itinerary

Day 1: Auckland/Bay of Islands (Paihia) (233km)
Self drive: after picking up your rental car, enjoy a leisurely drive to Paihia (driving time approx 5-6 hours).
Seat in Coach: depart Auckland 8.30am on InterCity Coachlines, arriving Paihia 12.30pm. Cross Auckland's 1030 metre long Harbour Bridge across sparkling Waitemata Harbour on your way north on SH1, bound for the Bay of Islands. Travel through Orewa, Warkwoth and Wellford en route to Whangarei, the commercial and cultural hub of Northland. Surrounded by forested hills, Whangarei also has a harbour which is home to yachts from around the world. Tutukaka Harbour, just northeast of Whangarei, is popular for fishing and diving and is also the set off point to the Poor Knights Islands; a marine reserve famous for crystal clear water, abundant fish life and black coral. At Kawakawa turn off for Paihia, in the heart of the Bay of Islands Maritime and Historic Park. Free afternoon to explore.

Day 2: Bay of Islands Sightseeing
Go with Kings Tours - The Day in the Bay Cruise!
Departs Paihia at 10.00am and returns at 4.00pm.
As the name suggests this trip offers ALL the major attractions: New Zealand's first boom netting with dolphins, swim with dolphins, Hole in the Rock, Cathedral Cave, Island stopover for a picnic lunch. Cruise through the inner islands and follow the route of the cream trip. Wet suits and snorkel gear supplied. You need to bring towel and swimming gear, sunhat and sun protection lotion.
Lunch is not included in the price - please pre-order for $14 or feel free to bring your own.

Wildlife conservation - a portion of your fare is donated to dolphin research in the Bay of Islands.

Day 3: Cape Reinga Day Excursion with Kings Tours
Departs daily at 7.30am, returns between 5.30pm - 6.30pm approx.
An exciting day excursion that takes in all the Far North has to offer. Cape Reinga is where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean. "Reinga" means "place of leaping" in the Maori language. Travel by King's luxury, air conditioned coach. Stopovers include Kauri Forest, Ancient Kauri Kingdom, Ninety Mile Beach (actually 84 kilometres long), digging for shell fish, sand tobogganing, Cape Reinga lighthouse and Wagners Museum. See giant sand dunes. Accommodation pick ups available on request.
Lunch is not included in the price - please pre-order for $14 picnic lunch or feel free to bring your own. The coach stops for morning and afternoon teas (own cost).

Day 4: Paihia/Auckland (233km)
Enjoy a free morning in Paihia before your return journey.
Self drive: depart/arrive at leisure.
Seat in Coach: Your InterCity coach departs Paihia at 1.00pm and arrives Auckland at 5.15pm. Your tour arrangments conclude on arrival in Auckland.

Your Accommodation Options
Choose from:

Self Drive Option
The self drive itineraries are based on use of a self-drive rental car.

Other Options -Travel by Motorhome
This itinerary can be comfortably travelled by motorhome, stopping when you like, where you like.

Auckland Sightseeing
Before or after your Bay of Islands touring holiday, stay a while to enjoy the cosmopolitan highlights of Auckland. Please refer to NZV-SO2 Auckland Stopover for accommodation and sightseeing.

For more information about the operators and services included in these suggested itineraries, please refer to the accommodation, transport and sightseeing pages in this site.

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