Bay of Islands Full Day Tour from Auckland

Bay of Islands Full Day Tour from Auckland

Discover the Bay of Islands by land and explore the historic sites of Waitangi and Russell on a full-day coach tour from Auckland. On this tour from Auckland to Paihia you’ll visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, enjoy a ferry ride from Paihia to Russell and take an informative tour of Russell with a local guide. You'll have the opportunity to check out Russell’s bustling shops, cafes and museums at your leisure before returning to Auckland.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Pass By: Auckland Harbour Bridge, Curran St, Auckland Central, Auckland New Zealand

Departing Auckland in the morning, you'll cross the Harbour Bridge and travel north on one of GreatSights' comfortable and air conditioned deluxe coaches. Your local driver guide will point out interesting sights and provide entertaining and informative commentary as you journey through farmland and lush native forest towards the Bay of Islands.

Stop At: Parry Kauri Park, Turdor Collins Drive, Warkworth, Auckland New Zealand

Visit giant Kauri Trees

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Waitangi National Trust & Treaty House, Waitangi National Trust Estate New Zealand

Experience a guided tour of the historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds where in 1840, the Treaty of Waitangi was signed between Maori and the British Crown. Explore the original Treaty House, one of New Zealand's oldest and most visited historic homes and the Te Whare Runanga, a fully carved Maori meeting house, which is representative of all iwi (regional tribes) in New Zealand. The Waitangi Treaty Grounds offer a truly unique insight into New Zealand's early history

Duration: 45 minutes

Pass By: Christ Church, Church Street, Russell New Zealand

Upon arrival, take some leisure time to explore the charming seaside village of Paihia, before taking a short ferry ride across the harbour to Russell, also known by its Māori name Kororāreka. From here you will enjoy the Russell Mini Tour by coach. This intimate one-hour tour is led by an engaging guide who has a fantastic combination of historical knowledge and local insight, really bringing the cultural history of the area alive. Although Russell may seem tranquil today, you'll hear all about its rowdy past in the early 19th century when it was a lawless open port, known as the 'Hell Hole of the Pacific'!

Stop At: Flagstaff Hill, Russell New Zealand

Enjoy amazing views of Russell & the Bay of Islands

Duration: 10 minutes

Pass By: Pompallier Mission and Printery, The Strand, Russell New Zealand

Learn about the features that make Russell so significant in New Zealand's history, such as Christ Church (the oldest church in New Zealand), historic Pompallier House, and even the country's oldest licensed pub. You'll also hear more about the world's second oldest game fishing club – the Bay of Islands Swordfish Club, made famous by American author Zane Grey. The tour visits areas which cannot be easily covered on foot, like Flagstaff Hill (Te Maiki), which offers stunning 360-degree views of the whole Bay of Islands.