Home > Bay of Islands > Kerikeri and Crafts Half-Day Tour from Bay of Islands
USD $44.00
Kerikeri and Crafts Half-Day Tour from Bay of Islands
Bay of Islands, New Zealand
Visit the historical town of Kerikeri — home to the country’s first permanent mission station and some of its oldest buildings — on this afternoon tour from Paihia. With a guide, visit the Mission House and Stone Store to learn about the town’s Maori and European settlement history. You’ll also get a taste of the area’s delights with stops at an organic winery and Makana Confections chocolate factory. Upgrade to include a morning sightseeing cruise on the Bay of Islands.
Your afternoon tour starts on the Paihia waterfront, where you’ll board your coach for the approximate 20-minute drive northwest to Kerikeri.
Your first stop is Ake Ake, a small, family-run vineyard outside Kerikeri where you can enjoy samples of organic wine and coffee. Then head into town to visit two of New Zealand’s oldest buildings from the time of European settlement — the Mission House and Stone Store. Learn about Kerikeri’s history, including the relationship between the Maori chief Hongi Hika and early European settlers, and hear about Reverend Marsden, a missionary who is credited with planting the grapevines that eventually led to the area’s thriving industry. At the Stone Store — originally built to house mission supplies and wheat — you can purchase gifts and souvenirs.
Next, visit the Makana Confections, a chocolate factory where you can watch chocolate being made and try a few samples. Purchase some to take home, if you wish, before re-boarding your coach for the return drive to Paihia, where your tour ends.
Optional sightseeing cruise: Upgrade your tour to include a 2-hour cruise through the Bay of Islands before your tour to Kerikeri. Pass by Black Rocks, and stop to see Marsden Cross, the site of the country’s first planned European settlement.
See Roberton Island (Motuarohia), where several archaeological sites have been excavated, and learn about the history of the Bay of Islands from the onboard commentary. Keep your eyes open for marine life like whales, seals, dolphins, penguins and sea birds.
Your cruise ends back in Paihia, where you have free time to get lunch (own expense) before the tour to Kerikeri.
Even though it was rainy, it was a good day. The tour guide was really great and we got to see so much. Beautiful place.
Review by: Mandy, August 2017
Tour was fantastic. Our guide was very knowledgeable
Review by: Natalie M, November 2016
A great afternoon trip. I loved the visit to the chocolate factory, the stone house and the Ancient Kauri kingdom.
Review by: TREVOR C, February 2016
The tour was great and our tour guide was very knowledgeable. Highly recommend.
Review by: Monica O, November 2015
This was a great tour. It gave us the opportunity to see a bit of this area. As we arrived on a cruise ship we were not interested in doing on water, we wanted an land activity. My only suggestion is that it may of been easier to actually get the bus from the place were we tendered as the place were we got the bus was quite crowded and I missed seeing the bus as there were so many buses there and I walked around for a while trying to find it - even if the voucher stated that the boarding stop is the Maritime Building near the name of the tour place. Loved the chocolate place.
Review by: Dawn J, January 2014
This tour was above expectations. The pickup was prompt and hassle free. The tour bus driver was friendly and had a wealth of local knowledge. We booked this tour for a land day while cruising and it ended up being just a small group tour. So, it was almost like having your own chauffeur driven tour; at a fraction of the price for similar tours that we could have chosen. I would recommend this tour and this company to all other travellers.
Review by: Denis R, December 2013
The weather wasn't good so it was perfect for this orientation trip. The stone house was very interesting.
Review by: oldbooklover, March 2011
Not a very interesting trip
Review by: Janice K, December 2010
A very interesting and informative tour. Our bus driver was very knowledgable about the area and there was a good mix of things to do and places to see. The tour of the winery was great and seeing the old buildings in Kerikeri was a wonderful experience. All in all a most enjoyable way to spend a half a day!
Review by: Janice K, October 2010
A very interesting and informative tour. Our bus driver was very knowledgable about the area and there was a good mix of things to do and places to see. The tour of the winery was great and seeing the old buildings in Kerikeri was a wonderful experience. All in all a most enjoyable way to spend a half a day!
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