3-Day Winterless North Tour from Auckland

Day 1: Auckland to Paihia

Today we meet at 8.00am at the reception of Haka Lodge Auckland where your guide will have set up continental breakfast. Over breakfast, your guide will introduce everyone to the group and run through everything you need to know. Breakfast and the welcome meeting should take around an hour.

We head north of Auckland to begin the tour in the stunning Paihia in the Bay of Islands. Along the way we visit the mighty Tane Mahuta “the Lord of the Forest” in the Waipoua Forest. Tane Mahuta is the largest known kauri tree standing today. From there we travel up to the stunning Hokianga Harbour, where Kupe, the legendary Polynesian navigator and explorer first settled.

We'll arrive late afternoon in Paihia where the team at Haka Lodge will have a hot meal ready and waiting for you. This shared dinner is eaten overlooking the waters of Paihia is a beautiful way to end day one.

Day 2: Paihia

Paihia is the perfect base to explore the Northland region and the spectacular Bay of Islands. Home to the famous ‘Hole in the Rock,’ there are plenty of boat trips out into the bay, as well as other activities to choose from in the area.

You can swim with dolphins, skydive, go sailing or just chill out with new friends and take it all in on one of the many beaches. This is also one of the most historically important areas of New Zealand. Rich in Maori heritage and culture, we’ll have the chance to visit some spectacular waterfalls, take scenic walks or ferry over to one of the islands. If you would like to visit the very top of New Zealand, you can choose to do a day tour to Cape Reinga, situated where the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet. You may drive on 90 Mile Beach and try sand boarding while on this optional day tour.

If you would prefer to have a relaxing day, you can do one of the many well signposted, scenic walks along the coast or through the bush. Russell is also easily accessed from Paihia and has awesome views, as well as a great selection of restaurants and eateries. 

Day 3: Paihia to Auckland

Today, we'll visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. The grounds are significant to all New Zealanders as this was where the founding document of New Zealand, the Treaty of Waitangi, was signed in 1840 between the British Crown and Maori. The Hundertwasser Toilets are also on our agenda for the day, in the small town of Kawakawa. This is the only building in the Southern Hemisphere designed by the Austrian born artist Hundertwasser. As we venture back toward Auckland we take in a bush walk from Whale Bay to Matapouri Bay, where we'll see gorgeous white sand, and clear waters - the perfect setting for a picnic. We’ then head back to Auckland to spend the evening in New Zealand’s biggest city, where we stay at Haka Lodge.