What to do and see in Northland Region, North Island: The Best Historical & Heritage Tours

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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Looking for a genuine connection with a local Maori family? We welcome you to step off the tourist trail and come join us for a personal and meaningful life-time experience. Embrace the warmth of true Maori culture through our family. You will immediately feel welcomed and at ease with your hosts as you experience our culture, land, nature, amazing stories and food on this unforgettable experience. Sure to create friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.

Inclusions: Coffee and/or Tea, Lunch, Beverages, Bottled water, All activities, Driver/guide, Live commentary on board, Local guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Snacks

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This full day, catered tour takes you to one of the quiet, hidden gems of Tai Tokerau (Northland). Definitely special and well off the beaten track and general tourist route! Leave the hustle and bustle that is summertime in the Bay of Islands behind and embark on an authentic New Zealand adventure. Your guide for the day has spent 15 years lecturing NZ’s ecology, natural and social history as well as guiding and sharing some of the rare encounters only to be found in the Far North’s treasure trove of experiences. With a bit of “something for everyone” this trip combines; A truly scenic drive along the North East coast layered with stories and history An easy going coastal walk (approximately 45 mins each way) An interesting archaeological talk with the opportunity to view and taste wild indigenous foods Time to relax on the beach, swim and experience some of New Zealand’s rare and endemic wildlife A delicious picnic lunch using the best locally available produce

Inclusions: Private transportation, Lunch

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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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Mullarkey tours – Cape Reinga Full day trip – offers a comfortable small group tour – maximum 11 passengers, with knowledgeable, humorous tour leaders – that will make sure you get to see and hear about all the best bits of the Far North and won’t forget the best photo opportunities!

Inclusions: Tour leader

Exclusions: Lunch, Hire of sand boards

Manea Footprints of Kupe is a 75-minute multisensory journey of guided storytelling – through art, taonga (cultural treasures), film, performance, digital interaction and the splendour of Hokianga’s natural surroundings. Manea: Footprints of Kupe offers you a unique cultural encounter, journeying into te ao Māori, the Māori world. Our cultural and heritage centre on the shores of the spectacular Hokianga Harbour is your first stop on this journey. Here, you will feel the warmth of our welcome as we share our stories and traditions.

Inclusions: Manea Footprints of Kupe admission

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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

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)

Journey into a unique part of New Zealand and explore - the Hokianga. First discovered over 1,000 years ago by Maori voyager Kupe, visit the Waipoua Forest this remote area offers the opportunity to see ancient Kauri trees in the Waipoua forest, stroll in the seaside towns of Opononi and Omapere and visit glowworm caves. After a fun-filled day tour you'll return to Paihia at 4pm.

Inclusions: National Park fees, Driver/guide, Live commentary on board, Local guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only)

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Lunch

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