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USD $730.00
3-Day Bay of Islands Trip from Auckland
Auckland, New Zealand
This comprehensive 3-day tour of the Bay of Islands is ideal for the first time visitor to New Zealand. With natural beauty, rocky islets and pristine beaches, the Bay of Islands is the water playground of the North Island. Learn about Maori culture, travel to the northernmost point of New Zealand and take a cruise through the famous "Hole in the Rock".
Day 1 - Auckland to Bay of Islands
Depart Auckland on an air-conditioned coach via the Auckland Harbour Bridge, heading north along the Hibiscus Coast to the beautiful Bay of Islands. Arriving in the town of Paihia, also known as the jewel of the Bay of Islands, you'll visit the historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds. It was here that the 1840 treaty was signed between Maori and the British Crown. Spend the rest of your day at your own leisure. Accommodation at the Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands or similar.
Day 2 - Cape Reinga, Bay of Islands
Your tour departs this morning and takes you through Puketi Kauri Forest, an ancient subtropical rainforest. You'll travel along the aptly named Ninety Mile Beach to the northernmost point of New Zealand, Cape Reinga. A BBQ lunch is included, followed by an afternoon museum visit before returning to Paihia. Accommodation at the Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands or similar.
Day 3 - Bay of Islands to Auckland
This morning you will board the Fullers Cruise for a memorable trip to Cape Brett and Piecy Island, traveling through the famous "Hole in the Rock" (weather permitting). On your return, disembark in Russell, the first capital of New Zealand, and enjoy a sightseeing tour of this historic township. Board the ferry back to Paihia, then rejoin your coach for the return to Auckland, where your tour concludes.
Accommodation: The Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands has a sub-tropical resort ambience and is situated at the entrance to the seaside town of Paihia. It is a pleasant stroll into town to access the main wharf, visitor activities, fine dining and shopping. All rooms include Sky TV, minibar, fridge, telephone, high-speed internet access, hair dryer and ironing facilities. Hotel facilities include 24-hour reception, swimming pool, internet kiosk, lounge bar and restaurant.
We started with bus trip from Auckland to Pi. Driver was a substitute, 45 minutes late picking us up, not very happy to be driving. He come around by the time we finally arrived in Paihia. Very nice as he dropped us at the treaty sight for our tour. He went back and dropped out bags at our hotel, then picked us took us to our hotel. Our treaty sight guide was a Maori decedent, very knowledgeable, funny. Glad he had the job rather than someone of European ancestry. We visited sand dunes, husband really enjoyed the trips down the dunes on a boogie board. Visited light house at the north end. Saw many dolphins hanging out around a couple of cruise ships. We spent what time was allowed watching them. Our ferry guide gave us some great insight, having been around when the babies were born, she had been able to name one or two of them. We had a calm cruise to hole in the rock and enjoyed a delicious BBQ chicken, pork at a nice picnic spot in a secluded bay on the way back, a little too cold to swim in late Feb but the beach was very nice. The bus driver on the way back to Auckland was a character. Gave no commentary, I guess we were supposed to have had that on the ride up.
Review by: B K H, February 2018
If you are looking forward to Gum Digger's Park with a guided tourentry included don't count on it. I did and was disappointed to learn from the Explore NZ that they don't do it any more. Then why was it also included in the detailed itinerary I received two days prior?
Review by: Alicia B, January 2018
Was glad I booked this tour. It does involve some travel time between destinations (on a decent coach) but it was well worth it to see some beautiful and memorable parts of NZ. All staff were incredibly helpful and friendly.
Review by: Roberta C, December 2017
Enjoyed the bay of islands tour very much. Just some constructive critism. After numerous attempts to find accommodation at pick up hotels we had to book a hotel near airport. Costing us 98 NZ dollars where everyone else were picked up to come to bus station. This se med rather unfair and added unnecessary expense to our budget. Perhaps a refund as a gesture would be considered. Felt it would have been wonderful if the trip to treaty ground in piahia could have been at the same time as a Mouri performance. But the. Guide was excellent, The second day bus journey was very long and rushed at times But. Understandably as the trips were worth it. Guide again Daniel was excellent, would recommend this as a trip to see the wonderful sights of the bay of islands.
Review by: Valerie J. R, October 2017
This tour was our first experience with Viatour and we'll definitely use them again! The 3-Day Bay of Islands Trip to the northern tip of New Zealand's North Island was fantastic! It exceeded our expectations for spectacular scenery and extraordinary experiences. Our bus driver/guide, Ariel, on our day trip to Cape Reinga was an expert driver and very knowledgeable - plus he was lots of fun and made sure that we all enjoyed the drive on the 90-Mile Beach! The cruise in the Bay of Islands was another highlight. All the local arrangements were well-planned and organized so we did not have any problems in following the individualized itinerary.
Review by: Penny G, November 2016
Stunning trip. Great coach drivers super friendly service
Review by: Andrew Michael S, August 2016
In theory, the tours were great- but.. After pick up from our hotel, we were instructed to walk up three blocks with our luggage to meet our connecting bus as it's faster. We assumed the pick up time would be reliant upon us getting transported the whole way despite saving time for the driver. Our driver had no idea who was looking after our itinerary after we arrived. Finally his company called another company and found that they were responsible for the next two days. Eventually our luggage was delivered to our hotel but they delivered the wrong bags.
Review by: Rachel P, January 2016
Fabulous! Each day was different and with a different company. However it was well organized and a lot of fun. I loved doing 3 days instead of just one so we could slow down and take in the sights in Pahia. We thought it was too much to do in just one day. 90 mile Beach and going to the light house in Cape Regina were the highlights for us.
Review by: maureenbowers, December 2015
The tour was very enjoyable and informative. Everything was organised well and the coach drivers were particularly helpful. The north of the island has spectacular scenery and the trip to Cape Reinga was unmissable.
Review by: Jeff D, December 2015
Great tour, great people on tour from all over the world!
Review by: Simone Kathleen S, November 2015
We only had 4 days and this tour was perfect. We saw and covered so much that we could not have if we did on our on in that time. The drivers, tour guides were amazing, organised and professional, but most of all fun! Accommodation was clean and the staff were lovely. I can't say enough good things about my three day tour in the beautiful Bay of Islands. I would highly recommend this tour if you don't have a lot of time, but want to make the most of the time you have.
Review by: Chris B, October 2015
This was an excellent trip, well organized, full of surprises and real value for money. The Scenic Hotel was excellent as were the breakfasts. The drive along the sands is a keeper as is the tour of Russell. _br/_ Overall, most enjoyable and I would defiantly recommend it to friends.
Review by: marie.strong, April 2015
The whole tour was amazing and superb value for money. Everyone involved was so helpful and enthusiastic and there was such a wide range of different activities involved. The accommodation in the Bay of Islands was superb and there was just the right amount of downtime. We thought that if anything you undersold it on the website.
Review by: heiman, October 2014
This tour was amazing!
Review by: Robert N, March 2013
Shuttle pick up from Auckland hotel and return was very efficient and did not involve coach going to every hotel in city. Hotel in Bay of Islands was good, nice pool, friendly staff and easy walk to restaurants and ferries. Delivery and collection of luggage to hotel worked extremely well._br/_
Tours were all excellent.Loved the trip to Cape Reinga and 90 mile beach. Driver/guide was excellent and spent time showing party how to board down the dunes safely. Boat trip to Hole in the Rock and Russell Town were very enjoyable and we loved seeing so many Dolphins._br/_
Excellent value and well worth doing. Many thanks.
Review by: Lindsay C, January 2013
A fun and informative trip! So many great sights all packed into one holiday!
Review by: RACHEL P, February 2012
I recently returned from a three day trip to the Bay of Islands organized by Viator travel._br/_
I can’t praise the company highly enough. Every detail was covered, all the pick-ups were efficient and on time and the individual trips were wonderful._br/_
The various guides were so well informed and helpful and the accommodation was more than adequate. A short but memorable trip to an utterly stunning part of the world. Highly recommended. Rose
Review by: Christine F, October 2011
A very informative and well organised tour that fitted in what we wanted to do. All elements of the tour were excellent value for money and I would highly recommend this tour as a way to see all of the northern part of North Island.
Review by: Frances C, August 2011
All in all a great trip although didn't realise it was all different companies and trips. This was fine although could have had clearly overall instructions. We had an list for day one and given tickets for other days for trips, but driver did answer all our questions as to what to do. Almost ended badley as were waiting for a Greys bus to pick us up and as off seasoan and no passeangers we were diverted to a Great Sights bus. It would have been good to have been contacted to tell us that. It almost went without us! But great trip when time is short saw a lot.
Review by: Bonnie C, July 2011
Fabulous time in the Bay of Islands!! Worth doing!!
Review by: Coral H, July 2011
A great short trip that covered a lot of touristy things. Sights were well worth the long bus rides. Plus the bus drivers were very entertaining. In places the trips were too long and the lunch included in the 'dune rider' was not very nice.
Review by: Alan R, May 2011
The second day to the top of NZ with the Dune Rider was a 5! The driver so knowledge able and really made the trip so special by reversing route to avoid other tourist travel. The driver going up was really chatty but good local perspective. I recommend personal earphones for the trip back the final night so that you can listen to video's/music or not. A real top notch operation...would use again for sure!
Review by: Mary Lou S, February 2011
We had a marvelous experience. Due to weather (Cyclone Wilma) tour operator had to use heroic measures to get us to Paihia. Once there, the tour proceeded with ease. Unforgettable scenery and such lovely accommodations. We look forward to booking another tour on our next visit to New Zealand.
Review by: Bonnie C, January 2011
Fabulous time in the Bay of Islands!! Worth doing!!
Review by: Coral H, January 2011
A great short trip that covered a lot of touristy things. Sights were well worth the long bus rides. Plus the bus drivers were very entertaining. In places the trips were too long and the lunch included in the 'dune rider' was not very nice.
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