Islands Close to Auckland

When you arrive you will drive along the beautiful coast to the historical Waitangi Treaty House and the area. Take a sightseeing trip through the Waitangi Treaty Ground with the Treaty House, the Maori Meeting House and the great Maori War Canoe. Your chauffeur will pick you up at the Waitangi Visitor Information Centre and drive to Paihia Wharf to take the boat to Russell.

At Russell, you' ll experience a captivating trip by mini bus from New Zealand´s most historical village, full of culture and whale-catching heritage. Upon return to Paihia you can book your accommodation and spend the remainder of the night. On the second morning we start with the Cape Brett Hole-in-the-Rock cruise.

The Cape Brett lighthouse, Motukokakako Island´s, the Hole in the Rock and a trip to Otehei Bay are some of the highpoints. While passing the islands of the bay, you' ll be able to admire the large open-air observation platforms. Look out for cetaceans, sharks and other sea creatures while our skilled native skipper take you close to the event.

Explore the Bay of Islands for a few extra hour after the trip before returning to Auckland by bus in the afternoons. After arriving in Auckland, around 20:15, the drop-offs of the hotels and motels begin.

7 days ride from Auckland to Bay of Islands

If you' re just flying in or living in and around Auckland, the Drive North Up State Highway 1 has some great stops along the way, so take your leisure and make the most of some of these little unfamiliar belles. Here are some of our top activities in Auckland.

From Auckland on SH1 it is only half an hour's ride. It is only a brief ride from Kawakawa to your goal Paihia, the gate to the Bay of Islands. We hope you have come in good beforehand to get your orientation and make an exploration tour and to make a reservation for the next morning.

There is no doubt that the best way to discover the Bay of Islands is on the sea, so look at your choices and book an outing. The Bay of Islands is a great way to crush your canard if you've never seen the force of a jetboat before. When you' re travelling at breaksneck speed, the jetboat adventure will take you down to the depths to discover the variety of islands and take an exciting trip at the same one.

New Zealand has one of the best areas for off-shore sea angling, so book a yacht charters and head off to the underwater world. Head up to the northern end of the 90 miles of coastline and make a stop on the way up or back.

It is an opportunity to take a look back into the past and from here you can also take a walk around New Zealand's oldest house, the 1822 wood mission house. There are some great photography possibilities in the cascades and if you don't feel like a ride today, you can always jump onto a promenade that leads from Waitangi Treaty Grounds to the caves.

Or a jetboat cruise to see the Hole in the Rock, today may be the time to take the Russell Island shuttle to make yourself comfortable. Return to a crossroads northbound on SH1 and take the turnoff to suburban train to Thames.

From Tairua to Whitianga the next section is very undulating and very windswept, so be careful while driving while enjoying some of the breathtaking vistas - there are frequent viewpoints along the way, so take your sweetest moments, especially if you've never been so. Though Whitianga is a big small city with a lot of personality.

If you are looking for a restful vacation on the sea or something more adventure, there is a lot to do, no matter on which side of the penninsula you have settled. About 30 min from Whitianga, for an hours at low and high tides, it is possible to sink into a small swimming bath - if you pedal your feet enough, you might even think you are in a whirlpool!

It is great pleasure in summers or winters and you can rent a spade or most of the accommodation in and around Whitianga can help you. Take the boat to the pier and then drive around Maramaratotara Bay towards Shakespeare Cliff Scenic and Historic Reserve.

At low water it is possible to reach the stroll from the shore or at low water from the roads. In Whitianga, one of the most appreciated activity is the Cayenne. You' ll have seen them all before, but if you've never been courageous enough to try, now may be the moment to crack your canard.

The last peninsular outing can be made through the city you didn't stay in to get into some of the activity you were missing the previous one.