Enjoy New Zealand’s oldest Kauri giants, stunning nature, historically significant sites, Maori Cultural Performance and Kiwi Bird feeding in sub-tropical climate!
A truly magical journey from Auckland! There are plenty of sights to see including Tane Mahuta – one of the oldest Kauri in New Zealand, also the birthplace of New Zealand in Waitangi where we experience New Zealand’s most famous authentic Maori cultural performance and a Hangi. See water falls, great nature and visit Kiwi birds.
Many people arriving in Auckland to explore New Zealand – tend to forget Northland is here – and just head south to the more recognised regions of the North and South Island. But we are here to tell you that you must head north to discover this awesome area that will blow you away.
From Auckland we travel north to the Kauri Museum in Matakohe. Here, we stop for a break and you can explore outstanding Arts made out of Kauri timber and Kauri gum. From here we are travelling on to the magnificant Kauri trees in the Waipoua Forest north of Dargaville. The scenic drive through the forest is memorable for the natural gateways created by huge Kauri trees and the fringing of colourful ferns along the road’s edge. As the largest remaining tract of native forest in Northland, Waipoua is an ancient green world of towering trees and rare birds. This forest is the home of Tane Mahuta, the country’s largest kauri tree, which is approximately more than 2,200 years old and still growing.
We will have our next stop at the beautiful Hokianga harbour before we make our way from the West Coast to the East Coast and Paihia. Here the Waitangi Treaty Grounds welcomes you on a journey of discovery through New Zealand’s most important historic site, where in 1840 New Zealand’s founding document was signed – the Treaty of Waitangi. Enjoy an inspiring experience through Waitangi’s museums, powerful Māori cultural performance in an authentic Marae (Meeting House), engaging visitor centre, lush native forest, inspiring art gallery and carving studio, see the traditional Māori waka (canoe) – all with stunning views over the Bay of Islands. The Waitangi Treaty Grounds is a must-do for all visitors to the Bay of Islands.
The next morning we will visit a Kiwi Bird feeding on 25 hectares of rolling, volcanic farmland, forest and bush, with views that overlook the city of Whangarei and the Whangarei Heads. This beautiful site features a museum, a nocturnal kiwi house and unique Victorian heritage buildings.
We hit the road down South and have another break at a sheep farm and wool center before we take a scenic drive to the black sand beaches of stunning Muriwai. We walk up to the cliff-top platform up-close to the 2nd largest Gannet colony in the world. Experience impressive waves of the Tasman sea clashing on the rocks of this spectacular coastline.
From here we drive via the Kumeu wine region back to Auckland. Enjoy this truly magical journey!