Escape to the subtropical Far North. Visit the magnificent Waipoua Forest and meet Tāne Mahuta, cruise the Bay of Islands to the famous Hole in the Rock, and enjoy the charm of Russell and the sands of Doubtless Bay. A day trip to Cape Reinga offers spectacular scenery and deep cultural meaning. Explore Kerikeri’s early mission history, discover Whangārei’s bold Hundertwasser art, and enjoy fine food and sculpture in Matakana.
Activity Level 1
Early Booking Discount - Book by 21 Sep, 2025 and save an extra $70 per person
Home pick up and return within the Auckland metropolitan area (if applicable).
Services of Travelwise Holidays Tour Leader throughout.
Coach travel Auckland-Matakohe-Ōmāpere-Pahia-Taipa Beach-Cape Reinga-Taipa Beach-Whangārei-Matakana-Auckland.
Quality accommodation on a share twin basis.
Breakfast and dinner daily, six lunches.
All locally guided sightseeing tours and entry -
Kauri Museum Matakohe & lunch at the Golddiggers cafe
Kai Iwi Lakes & tour the Waipoua Forest with a guide to see the giant Kauri, Tāne Mahuta
Footprints of Kupe Experience Omapere
Marsden Winery lunch.
Waitangi Treaty Grounds tour & cultural show.
Fabulous Cape Brett Hole in the Rock Dolphin Cruise.
Duke of Marlborough lunch Russell.
Cape Reinga day trip
Kerikeri Stone Store, Kemp House, Sculpture Park tour & lunch
Hundertwasser Art Centre Tour
Coastal route drive seeing Langs Beach, Mangawhai and with Brick Bay vineyard for lunch.
SAT 21 MAR - AUCKLAND/MATAKOHE/ŌMĀPERE
Depart for the epic Hokianga. En route visit the fabulous Kauri Museum in Matakohe. A light lunch at the Gold Diggers Cafe is included. Then onwards to Kai Iwi lakes - freshwater dune lakes renowned for their jewel‑like beauty and clear waters. Then a guided encounter in the Waipoua Forest with the majestic Tāne Mahuta - New Zealand's largest known living kauri tree. We continue to our stunning Ōmāpere beachside location. Dinner is included tonight. Stay Sands Hotel, Hokianga, 1 night. Included: L, D
SUN 22 MAR - ŌMĀPERE/KERIKERI/PAIHIA
This morning visit Manea Footprints of Kupe, a 75-minute multi-sensory journey of guided storytelling. Onward to Marsden Winery. Nearly two centuries ago, the first grapevines were planted at Kerikeri - the work of Samuel Marsden, the driving force behind the establishment of Anglican mission stations in New Zealand. Nearly two decades ago, Rod and Cindy MacIvor followed in his footsteps with the establishment of the vineyard and wine estate they named after him. Continue on to Paihia. Stay Kingsgate Hotel, Paihia 2 nights. Included: B, L, D
MON 23 MAR - BAY OF ISLANDS SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast, we visit the historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds for a private guided tour, cultural show and time to explore the museum. We stop for lunch (own expense) and this afternoon we head out on the fabulous Cape Brett ‘’Hole in the Rock Dolphin’’ Cruise amongst the Bay’s pristine islands and along the Cape Brett Peninsula. See the historic Cape Brett lighthouse and majestic Motukōkako, the Hole in the Rock. The Bay of Islands is home to a host of marine mammals, wildlife and native birds. Keep an eye out for dolphins. Stop off at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island where you have time to relax, take a walk, have a swim or enjoy a bite to eat and drink.
Included: B, D
TUE 24 MAR - PAIHIA/RUSSELL/TAIPA BEACH
Today we take the ferry over to Russell for free time. Lunch at the historic Duke of Marlborough which was established in 1827 and received NZ’s New Zealand’s first Liquor license in 1840. The Duke holds a special place in many people’s hearts. Later we take a leisurely drive to the luxurious caramel and white sands of Taipa Beach in the Doubtless Bay. In 1769 Captain James Cook looked in on this expanse of water and declared it was "doubtless a bay". His rather haphazard naming of the bay stuck. Stay Taipa Beach Resort, 2 nights. Included: B, L, D
WED 25 MAR - CAPE REINGA DAY TRIP
Depart for the magical full-day excursion to Cape Reinga. Journey to the very tip of the North Island in a purpose-built coach, travel along the sand-swept shore of Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe, Ninety Mile Beach and uncover a region of rich Māori tradition along the way on an unforgettable full-day tour. In Māori tradition, Cape Reinga or Te Rerenga Wairua is the place where spirits depart on their long journey back to the homeland. As you stand beneath the iconic lighthouse, and watch the Tasman Sea and the mighty Pacific Ocean collide far below, you’ll feel the power of this special place. Lunch is included. Included: B, L, D
THU 26 MAR - TAIPA/KERIKERI/WHANGĀREI
Head to Kerikeri and visit the Stone Store and Kemp House. Built in 1832-1836, the Stone Store is New Zealand's oldest intact stone building and its earliest surviving warehouse. The Mission House at Kerikeri is New Zealand’s oldest standing building, dating to 1822. Also known as 'Kemp House', it was erected by the London-based Church Missionary Society to support their work in the area. The closeness of Kororipo Pa to two of New Zealand's oldest buildings, Kemp House and the Stone Store, speaks to the relationships forged by Māori and Pakeha in the early 19th century, prior to the signing of Te Tiriti O Waitangi. Kerikeri Mission Station, established in 1819, at Kororipo, is one of the first places in New Zealand where Māori invited Pakeha to live among them. Explore the scenery, soak up the history and discover fascinating stories with knowledgeable guides at this nationally significant site. Lunch at Wharepuke Sculpture Park. Mark Graver, a professional artist and award-winning printmaker, runs the art gallery, the printmaking studio and the 1 km sculpture trail that loops through the 2 hectares of exotic subtropical garden. Stay Distinction Hotel, Whangārei, 1 night. Included: B, L, D
FRI 27 MAR - WHANGAREI/MATAKANA/AUCKLAND
Today take a guided tour of the Hundertwasser Museum. Celebrate the painter, architect, ecologist and visionary Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Experience architecture in harmony with nature and individual creativity. Hundertwasser spent his early years in Austria and first visited NZ in 1973. He was laid to rest 27 years later on his bush-clad property in Northland. Take the scenic coastal route to Auckland with lunch at Brick Bay winery in Matakana. Stroll the sculpture trail showcasing over 70 works by some of New Zealand's most talented artists.
Arrive in Auckland mid-afternoon. Included: B, L
Deposit: $500pp
