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Day 2: Paihia, Bay of Islands to Auckland with InterCity Coach (photo 2), Bay of Islands Encounter
North Island · Guided Coach

Bay of Islands Encounter

  • 2 days, 1 nights
  • Starts and ends in Auckland
  • Hotel 4 star

Overview

2 days through the North Island, starting and finishing in Auckland. Along the way: Waitangi Treaty Grounds Guided Tour and Cultural Performance, Paihia Central/Coach Stop to Paihia Accommodation with Haruru Cabs, Auckland to Paihia by InterCity Coach. Every night is booked and the travelling is handled, so the itinerary below is what you actually do rather than a list of things you could arrange yourself.

  • 1 night accommodation
  • 2 included activities
  • 1 optional add-on

Trip highlights

Included in your price

  • Waitangi Treaty Grounds Guided Tour and Cultural Performance
  • Paihia Central/Coach Stop to Paihia Accommodation with Haruru Cabs
  • Auckland to Paihia by InterCity Coach
  • Paihia, Bay of Islands to Auckland with InterCity Coach
  • Paihia Accommodation to Paihia central/coach stop with Haruru Cabs

Extras (optional)

Not in your price. Add any of these and we re-quote, or leave them and decide once you are here.

  • Russell Mini Tour with Fullers GreatSights

What is included

1 nights of accommodation, staying in hotel 4 star
1 nights of accommodation, booked and confirmed before you travel
Coach travel throughout with a driver guide
2 included activities and entries along the way
A detailed day by day itinerary with every booking reference
Support from a New Zealand based specialist while you travel

This itinerary can be customised: extra nights, different rooms, more activities or a different vehicle. Tell us what you would change.

Where you will go

Overnight stops, in route orderVisited, not overnight1 overnight stop across 2 days. Select a stop to jump to that day.

Day by day itinerary

Your journey:AucklandBay Of IslandsAuckland

Aucklandview on Google Maps

Waitangi is one of New Zealand’s most historic sites where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840 between the Māori and the British Government. This two day pass allows you access to the Treaty of Waitangi Grounds and includes admission to the Te Kōngahu Museum and Te Rau Aroha Museum and a Maori Cultural performance. During your guided tour, learn about the history of the treaty and discover the stories and events that shaped New Zealand. The cultural performance inside the carved meeting house includes waiata (singing), poi and the haka - a war dance Aotearoa-New Zealand is well known for.

Paihia Central/Coach Stop to Paihia Accommodation with Haruru Cabs

On arrival to Paihia, you will be transferred from Paihia Central to your accommodation.

Auckland to Paihia by InterCity Coach

Leave the urban skyline of Auckland behind for the coastal roads of the North, travelling past the seaside villages of the Hibiscus Coast and through the rolling hills of Whangarei. Your journey follows a historic trail through unique rural townships and farmland before descending into the subtropical Bay of Islands. You’ll be greeted by the sparkling turquoise waters and golden sands of Paihia, a vibrant seaside village that serves as your gateway to this paradise.

AucklandTourism New Zealand
Included this dayCopthorne Hotel and Resort Bay of Islands

Copthorne Hotel & Resort Bay of Islands is located within the Waitangi Treaty grounds, surrounded by native bush and the beautiful Bay of Islands Harbour.

Aucklandview on Google Maps

Leaving the magical Bay of Islands behind you head south on State Highway 1 back towards Auckland, the "City of Sails". The route takes you through Kawakawa, affectionately known as 'train town'. The farming regions of Wellsford and Warkworth accompany you the rest of the journey before passing through the suburbs of the North Shore and crossing the harbour bridge and into the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau-Auckland City.

Land on the Hole in the Rock - Heli Scenic Flight & Landing Time Away: 35 minutes

For many years visitors have come to the Bay of Islands to venture through this top New Zealand icon the Hole in the Rock on boats, we have flown them over it thousands of times, and it has been admired by many for its unique appearance and history. Now you can experience it up close and on foot, landing by helicopter on our newly built helipad on top of the island. You will have a brief stop on the island helipad and viewing platform for those unique photos to be taken! Very few people in history, including Maori, have ever ventured on the island in this way before. Being surrounded by steep cliffs (over 150 metres high) and stunning scenery looking towards Cape Brett and its surrounds, this unique landing location will no doubt appeal to the adventurous.

Paihia Accommodation to Paihia central/coach stop with Haruru Cabs

You will be transferred from your accommodation to Paihia Central.

Russell Mini Tour with Fullers GreatSightsOptional

Step back in time with a relaxed one-hour guided coach tour through the charming streets of Russell, New Zealand’s first sea port and oldest European settlement. You’ll visit significant heritage sites including the musket-scarred Christ Church and the historic Pompallier Mission, while enjoying panoramic 360-degree views of the Bay of Islands from atop Flagstaff Hill. Led by a local expert who brings early colonial history to life with engaging stories, this seamless experience offers a perfect overview of the town’s rowdy past and picturesque present without the need to navigate its steep hills on foot.

Good to know

Departures

This itinerary departs on the dates that suit you, subject to availability. Peak season (December to February) books out early, so enquire well ahead for summer travel.

Make it yours

Add nights, upgrade rooms, swap activities or extend into the other island. Tell us what you would change and we will re-quote, no obligation.

Never travelling alone

Your whole itinerary lives in a smart travel app with live vouchers, maps and daily guidance, and your own travel specialist is reachable seven days a week while you are on the road. If plans change, we rearrange them in real time.

Watch: Bay of Islands on this itinerary

Asked before booking

Still deciding? Worth a read: How many days do you actually need in New Zealand? · The best time to visit New Zealand, from people who live here

  1. Tell us about your trip

  2. Get your firm quote

  3. Shape it until it fits

  4. Confirm with a 20% deposit

  5. Everything is booked for you

  6. Travel with us beside you

The Silver Fern Promise

You never hand over more than a small deposit

Nothing to enquire, nothing until your quote is confirmed in writing, and never more than your deposit until the balance falls due 70 days before travel. Deposits can be paid by card, which keeps your card scheme’s protections in play.

How your money is protected

A firm quote within one business day

Availability checked with our New Zealand operations team and confirmed in writing, not an automated estimate.

No booking fees, and nothing to pay to enquire

Quotes are free and carry no obligation. You pay a deposit only once the itinerary is right and you say go.

One person, before and during your trip

The same specialist plans your trip and is reachable while you are travelling, alongside in-country support seven days a week.

100% Pure New Zealand InsiderQualmark Gold, the official quality mark of New Zealand tourismInsider status, Tourism New Zealand 100% Pure New Zealand Specialist Programme. IATA certified. Every itinerary is operated by a Qualmark Gold certified New Zealand tour operator.

Questions before you enquire? Email hello@silverferntravel.com and ask. No form required.

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