What to do and see in Bay of Islands, North Island: The Best Historical & Heritage Tours

September 5, 2021 Kaleigh Reichenbach

Discover the best top things to do in Bay of Islands, New Zealand including Scenic Escape Private Tour, Bay of Islands Craft Beer & Wine Tour, Kakapo 21 Day New Zealand Small Group Tour, Bay of Islands Tall Ship Sailing on 'R. Tucker Thompson' Including BBQ Lunch, Historic Northland Private Tour, Russell Small-Group Sightseeing Guided Tour, Bay of Islands Shore Excursion: Cultural Maori War Canoe Guided Tour, Private Tour: Bay of Islands Day Trip from Auckland, Scenic Escape with Glow Worm Caves, Private Shore Excursion - The Giants and Tiny Dwarfs of the Bay of Islands.
Restaurants in Bay of Islands

1. Scenic Escape Private Tour

Rogue Pony Experiences and Private Tours
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5.0 based on 15 reviews

Explore the historic Bay of Islands in a luxury, late model Toyota 4x4 with a maximum of 4 passengers in your group. On your private 4.5-hour guided tour you will see historic locations, spectacular waterfalls, panoramic scenery, subtropical rain forests and rural farming areas away from the crowds. You can also extend your tour with 1-hour options of a winery lunch or a visit to the Kawiti Glow Worm Caves. Your tour is adaptable with no fixed schedule, allowing you to stop for photos, ask questions, take your time or relax and talk with your local driver.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi on board

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Reviewed By Anderoo69

Mark was an awesome friendly & knowledgeable tour guide. Lots of information, showed us some sites and let us discover others ourselves. Comfy vehicle and good driving skills

2. Bay of Islands Craft Beer & Wine Tour

Mullarkeys Tours
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

The Bay of Islands is a place to indulge and have fun. Visit the area's leading wineries, taste quality wines, excellent craft beers and enjoy a platter lunch. No trip to the Bay of Islands is complete if you do not visit the Makana Chocolate Factory and sample their award winning products. Visit the Phat Brewery, home to an outstanding range of Craft Beers.

Inclusions: Cost of wine & beer tasting, Lunch

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Reviewed By gelletly

Very nice day trip. Very scenic and well worth a visit. The tour was value for money and very enjoyable. Derek our driver was friendly and able to tell us some of the history of the area. It is priceless having a local guide as they are able to point out other places that may be of interest during your stay and also know the best places to stop for refreshments.

3. Kakapo 21 Day New Zealand Small Group Tour

Grand Mercure Auckland, 8 Customs Street East, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand MoaTrek
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5.0 based on 41 reviews

Small Groups - Maximum 18 travellers per tour. NZ Family Owned since 1971 - Many NZ tour companies are Australian owned. Off the Beaten Track Destinations - where big coaches can't go. Flexibility - Time to add as many (or few) activities around the country as you like. Walking - For those who would like to, there are lots of short walks all over the country, your guides will help you find them. Kiwi Guides - Our guides are all passionate Kiwis who know the country like the back of their hands.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch, Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch, Breakfast, Private transportation, 20 Included Activities as per itinerary

Exclusions: Flights from your home country to New Zealand, Single Accommodation Supplement for Sole Room Use.

Reviewed By Wander636823

Kudos to Moa Tours for organising such a great trip. Te Wai Poumanu is beautiful in April with all the autumn colours. This was my first trip with Moa and I have already booked a second one. Special mention must be made of our guide Andrew. His knowledge, passion and enthusiasm shone throughout and he has a great sense of humour, much appreciated when dealing with so many diverse customers. He always went the extra mile to make everyone’s journey enjoyable. I would highly recommend both Moa and Andrew for kiwis wanting to experience the beauty of their own country.

4. Bay of Islands Tall Ship Sailing on 'R. Tucker Thompson' Including BBQ Lunch

Russell Booking and Information, The Strand, Russell 0202, New Zealand R. Tucker Thompson
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4.9 based on 203 reviews

What better way to explore the peaceful waters of the Bay of Islands than by the "R. Tucker Thompson" tall ship. This replica of a 100 year old schooner looks just like a working ship of the 18th century and you can spend the day on board exploring the bays and beaches of this beautiful Maritime Park. Operated by a charitable trust, funds raised from our sailing goes to support our youth development voyages over winter.

Inclusions: Cruise on board the "R. Tucker Thompson" tall ship, Coffee and/or Tea, BBQ lunch, Wet weather gear (if required), New Zealand's Goods and Services Tax (GST)

Exclusions: Hotel pick up and drop off

Reviewed By LandC46

Everything was great! We considered ourselves fortunate that there were only 13 passengers (4 crew) on our two hour Sundowner sail since that perhaps made it more intimate. The best fun was in climbing up the rigging and helping with the sails, encouraged by enthusiastic crew. So nice to be out on the water on such a splendid, beautiful and historic vessel.

5. Historic Northland Private Tour

Paihia Wharf, Bay Of Islands, Northland 0200, New Zealand Rogue Pony Experiences and Private Tours
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4.9 based on 8 reviews

With a focus on the 1845 Northland Wars, this private guided tour is an excellent choice for those interested in the missionary history of the area. Explore the back country roads of the Bay of Islands in a luxury, late model Toyota SUV with a maximum of 4 passengers in your group included in the price. Your tour is adaptable with no fixed schedule, allowing you to stop for photos, ask questions, take your time or relax and talk with your local driver.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi on board

Exclusions: Food and drinks (available to purchase at stops along the way)

Reviewed By Anderoo69

Mark was an awesome friendly & knowledgeable tour guide. Lots of information, showed us some sites and let us discover others ourselves. Comfy vehicle and good driving skills

6. Russell Small-Group Sightseeing Guided Tour

Russell Wharf, Russell, Bay of Islands, 27 The Strand, Russell 0202, New Zealand Fullers GreatSights Bay of Islands Day Tours
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4.8 based on 9 reviews

Romantic Russell – Steeped in history with a very chequered past. Spend a comfortable hour aboard our air conditioned Mini Coaches as we take you back in time telling you stories going back to the earliest settlers whilst visiting places of significant historical interest not easily covered on foot, and discover why Russell has played such an important role in the history of New Zealand Take a guided tour of New Zealands most historic town on board one of our comfortable coaches. The informative tour takes you past Flagstaff Hill out to Tapeka Point and over to Long Beach to name a few magical places. The tour gives you a full run down of historical events by our charming guides and takes around an hour to complete. You will travel in comfort and learn all there is to know about our historic town with Russell Mini Tours.

Inclusions: Commentary with your Driver / Guide, Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: Gratuities

Reviewed By Wayne M

enjoyable trip on a sunny day, great scenery. little disappointed the coffee shop wasn't open for the lunch break on the island but very handy being picked up from russell where we were staying.

7. Bay of Islands Shore Excursion: Cultural Maori War Canoe Guided Tour

Waitangi River Boat Ramp, Te Karuwha Parade, Waitangi 0293, New Zealand Taiamai Tours Heritage Journeys
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4.7 based on 10 reviews

Enjoy this memorable shore excursion from where your cruise ship tenders in Paihia. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to delve into the Northern Maori culture from the Ngapuhi confederation of tribes, New Zealand’s largest tribal nation by using the living landscapes and environment as the setting and natural backdrop for your tour. The best part of your 3 hour tour is done in a Waka taua (traditional Maori war canoe) built from a mixture of composite and traditional materials. You will also view a Marae (meeting ground), historical sites and learn the age old art of storytelling to share the traditions, customs and the compelling stories of the bygone era. The activities are both interactive and educational where you will learn the ceremonial chants and haka of the magnificent Waka taua while absorbing the breath-taking natural and stunning beauty of the Waitangi river tidal estuaries, its rain-forest and the cultural living landscapes.

Inclusions: Professional, local guide, Sightseeing Waka Tour

Exclusions: Bottled water

Reviewed By Gilby91

We had a group of 25 from a secondary school in Queenstown take part in the waka tour up the Waitangi River. Honi and Judy were amazing hosts with a fun, informative, and interactive experience (even adjusting our trip to cater to the weather). Would highly recommend! Kā mihi mō tō manaaki!

8. Private Tour: Bay of Islands Day Trip from Auckland

Auckland Central, Auckland Central, North Island Legend Tours and Travels Day Tours
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4.0 based on 3 reviews

Head towards one of New Zealand’s favorite travel destinations – Bay Of Islands! Bay Of Islands is situated towards the Northern tip of the North Island. It is ranked as one of New Zealand's top destinations, with boat trips and water sports providing the best experience for your private tour. Enjoy experiences at Parry Kauri Park, Whangarei Falls, Haruru Falls, Waitangi Treaty Ground and more!

Inclusions: Driver/guide, Transport by private vehicle, Light refreshments and water, Hotel pickup and drop-off, All taxes, fees and handling charges

Exclusions: Excess luggage charges (where applicable), Food and drinks, unless specified, Lunch, Entrance tickets, Cruise Tickets

Reviewed By K7293HPjosephh

Wonderful day trip to the glow worms and the Hobbit farm Driver was the best and took great care of us Long day but worth the expense of a private car

9. Scenic Escape with Glow Worm Caves

InterCity Paihia Bus Stop, Marsden Road, Paihia 0200, New Zealand Rogue Pony Experiences and Private Tours
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4.0 based on 1 reviews

Explore the historic Bay of Islands in a luxury, late model Toyota 4x4 SUV with a maximum of 4 passengers in your group. On your private 5.5-hour guided tour you will see historic locations, spectacular waterfalls, panoramic scenery, subtropical rain forests, tiny glow worms in their natural habitat and rural farming areas away from the crowds. Your tour is adaptable with no fixed schedule, allowing you to stop for photos, ask questions, take your time or relax and talk with your local driver.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Private Tour in 4x4 (If there are 4 in your group, 3 will be friendly across the back seat), WiFi on board

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Reviewed By Anderoo69

Mark was an awesome friendly & knowledgeable tour guide. Lots of information, showed us some sites and let us discover others ourselves. Comfy vehicle and good driving skills

10. Private Shore Excursion - The Giants and Tiny Dwarfs of the Bay of Islands

Kernhem Private Tours

During this tour you will experience an encounter with mighty prehistoric giants that only a couple of centuries ago dominated the vast forests of the North Island of New Zealand. You will see amazing Kauri – our bewitching giants... ... and tiny and defenseless glow warms which bring to the darkness of the underground caves a mysterious bluish glow of an endless starry sky…

Inclusions: GST (Goods and Services Tax), Bottled water, Professional guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Port pickup and drop-off, Private tour, Fuel surcharge, Landing and facility fees

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Reviewed By Lauren B

We booked a private tour off a cruise and Slava our guide was really accomodating with us being an hour late off the ship. Obviously we had to rearrange our sightseeing but Slava was great at making sure we saw what interested us with added extras. Saw lovely waterfalls, Kerikeri Mission house, chocolate factory and more. A very enjoyable time with a knowledgeable guide. Can highly recommend this tour!

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