Northland - The Twin Coast Highway
3 - 5 Days
A short extension to your North Island trip from Auckland – a classic tour of the Northland Peninsula, taking you through lush farmland, mighty Kauri forests, and the beautiful Bay of Islands and the New Zealand’s premier historical site, the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. You may even travel further to the very top – Cape Reigna where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Auckland, City of Sails
- Kauri Forests
- Waitangi Treaty Grounds
- Bay of Islands
- Cape Reinga
Day 1
Head north across the Harbour Bridge into the winterless north. Bustling Matakana with its fabulous Saturday Farmers’ Market is most definitely worth a stop. Then head on to Kauri Museum at Matakohe. Learn about the pioneering settlers, the Kauri industry, the Kauri Forests and the Kauri Gum. From here move on to the Kauri forests themselves at Waipoua – where there are various short well-marked bush walks taking you to Tane Mahuta, NZ’s mightiest tree; Te Matua Ngahere, the second largest tree in New Zealand; the Four Sisters and others.
You cannot help but be impressed by the view of the entrance to Hokianga Harbour – wonderful. Head on through Kawakawa to Paihia and the Bay of Islands
Day 2
Spend the morning at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds – New Zealand’s premier historic site. Learn about the Treaty of Waitangi, visit the carved meeting house, see the ceremonial war canoe, take a short bushwalk, attend a Maori cultural performance – all this in a beautiful setting. You can easily while away a few hours here.
Spend the afternoon visiting the Bay of Islands on a boat cruise – there are many options.
Day 3
Take a break from driving and join a tour to Cape Reinga. (It is possible to drive yourself, but it is a long drive and rental cars are not allowed on Ninety Mile Beach, so you will get so much more out of your day, if you go on a tour).
Day 4
Head back to Auckland (and further south) via the East Coast, stopping at Mangawhai for the cliff walkway, or Leigh for some snorkelling at Goat Island, New Zealand’s first Marine Reserve. A different but equally beautiful drive, completing the Twin Coast Highway.
Some alternatives you may consider:
• Spend an extra day in Paihia sailing around the Bay of Islands, and visit some of the historic buildings and walks around KeriKeri.
• Spend a couple of nights in Tutukaka and visit the Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand’s first marine reserve.
• Make this a 3 day trip by not travelling to Cape Reinga
Remember – our knowledge, your journey – so mix and match bits of these itineraries so that they suit you! Nothing is fixed. We will talk and email as much as you wish until you get what you want– this is YOUR holiday.