描述
Travel from Auckland to Paihia in the Bay of Islands on this half-day sightseeing tour.
Your journey into the ‘winterless North’ begins as you cross over the iconic Auckland Harbour Bridge. Along the way your driver guide will keep you informed and entertained, pointing out sites of interest as you drive through rolling farmland and lush native forest into the Northland region.
Take a brief morning tea break in Kaiwaka (own expense); your tour continues past Whangarei and through Kawakawa (home of the famous Hundertwasser toilets) before arriving arriving at the seaside town of Paihia. You’ll have the rest of your day at leisure to explore the village and relax.
During your stay in Paihia we recommend you take the opportunity to explore this stunning region.
Tour Departs
7:30 am – Sky City Bus Terminal, 102 Hobson St, Auckland
Tour Returns
11:15 am – Paihia Maritime Building, Paihia Wharf
Tour Details & Highlights
Half day tour
Operates daily
Departs: Sky City Coach Terminal
Complimentary hotel pick-up / drop-off available
Enjoy a relaxing sightseeing tour from Paihia to Auckland.
The afternoon departure time allows you to spend a full day in the beautiful Bay of Islands before returning to Auckland. Your local driver guide will point out scenic highlights as you travel through farmland and past native forests. At the end of your journey, enjoy the spectacular views from the Auckland Harbour Bridge as you arrive in Auckland’s central city by night.
Tour Departs4:30 pm – Maritime Building, Adjacent Wharf
Tour Returns8:10 pm – Sky City Bus Terminal, 102 Hobson St, Auckland
Tour Details & Highlights
Half day tour
Operates daily
Departs: Maritime Building, Paihia
Complimentary hotel pick-up / drop-off available
Luxury coach travel Paihia to Auckland
Scenic native forest
Auckland’s skyline by night
Bay of Islands day tour. Sit back, relax and enjoy the informative commentary as you cross the iconic Harbour Bridge, and soak up New Zealand’s spectacular scenery of rural countryside and sub-tropical bush en route to the beautiful Bay of Islands.
After arriving in Paihia, you’ll board the Dolphin Seeker, our purpose built catamaran licensed by the Department of Conservation for dolphin and whale viewing. Enjoy the large outdoor viewing decks as we cruise past the islands of the Bay. Keep a look out for common and bottlenose dolphins, whales and other marine life as our experienced local skippers get you up close to the action.
Cruise past the Cape Brett Lighthouse, before arriving at the majestic Hole in the Rock. Admire the rock walls towering above you as the skipper navigates right through the narrow space (conditions permitting) before heading back into the inner islands of the Bay.
Tour Departs7:30 am – Sky City Bus Terminal, 102 Hobson St, Auckland
Tour Returns8:10 pm – Sky City Bus Terminal, 102 Hobson St, Auckland
Tour Details & Highlights
Full day tour
Operates daily
Departs and returns: Sky City Coach Terminal
Complimentary hotel pick-up / drop-off available
Return coach travel from Auckland
Bay of Islands dolphin watching cruise
Travel to the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’
Guided tour of Waitangi Treaty Grounds (optional extra)
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Bay of Islands day tour. Sit back, relax and enjoy the informative commentary as you cross the iconic Harbour Bridge, and soak up New Zealand’s spectacular scenery of rural countryside and sub-tropical bush en route to the beautiful Bay of Islands.
After arriving in Paihia, you’ll board the Dolphin Seeker, our purpose built catamaran licensed by the Department of Conservation for dolphin and whale viewing. Enjoy the large outdoor viewing decks as we cruise past the islands of the Bay. Keep a look out for common and bottlenose dolphins, whales and other marine life as our experienced local skippers get you up close to the action.
Cruise past the Cape Brett Lighthouse, before arriving at the majestic Hole in the Rock. Admire the rock walls towering above you as the skipper navigates right through the narrow space (conditions permitting) before heading back into the inner islands of the Bay.
Optional Extras
Add 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.
A picnic lunch is available on this tour (extra cost applies). Lunches must be pre booked by 6pm the day before travel.
Tour Departs7:30 am – Sky City Bus Terminal, 102 Hobson St, Auckland
Tour Returns8:10 pm – Sky City Bus Terminal, 102 Hobson St, Auckland
Tour Details & Highlights
Full day tour
Operates daily
Departs and returns: Sky City Coach Terminal
Complimentary hotel pick-up / drop-off available
Return coach travel from Auckland
Bay of Islands dolphin watching cruise
Travel to the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’
Guided tour of Waitangi Treaty Grounds (optional extra)
Bay of Islands day tour. Sit back, relax and enjoy the informative commentary as you cross the iconic Harbour Bridge, and soak up New Zealand’s spectacular scenery of rural countryside and sub-tropical bush en route to the beautiful Bay of Islands.
After arriving in Paihia, you’ll board the Dolphin Seeker, our purpose built catamaran licensed by the Department of Conservation for dolphin and whale viewing. Enjoy the large outdoor viewing decks as we cruise past the islands of the Bay. Keep a look out for common and bottlenose dolphins, whales and other marine life as our experienced local skippers get you up close to the action.
Cruise past the Cape Brett Lighthouse, before arriving at the majestic Hole in the Rock. Admire the rock walls towering above you as the skipper navigates right through the narrow space (conditions permitting) before heading back into the inner islands of the Bay.
Optional Extras
Add 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.
A picnic lunch is available on this tour (extra cost applies). Lunches must be pre booked by 6pm the day before travel.
Tour Departs7:30 am – Sky City Bus Terminal, 102 Hobson St, Auckland
Tour Returns8:10 pm – Sky City Bus Terminal, 102 Hobson St, Auckland
Tour Details & Highlights
Full day tour
Operates daily
Departs and returns: Sky City Coach Terminal
Complimentary hotel pick-up / drop-off available
Return coach travel from Auckland
Bay of Islands dolphin watching cruise
Travel to the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’
Guided tour of Waitangi Treaty Grounds (optional extra)
Bay of Islands day tour. Sit back, relax and enjoy the informative commentary as you cross the iconic Harbour Bridge, and soak up New Zealand’s spectacular scenery of rural countryside and sub-tropical bush en route to the beautiful Bay of Islands.
After arriving in Paihia, you’ll board the Dolphin Seeker, our purpose built catamaran licensed by the Department of Conservation for dolphin and whale viewing. Enjoy the large outdoor viewing decks as we cruise past the islands of the Bay. Keep a look out for common and bottlenose dolphins, whales and other marine life as our experienced local skippers get you up close to the action.
Cruise past the Cape Brett Lighthouse, before arriving at the majestic Hole in the Rock. Admire the rock walls towering above you as the skipper navigates right through the narrow space (conditions permitting) before heading back into the inner islands of the Bay.
Optional Extras
Add 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.
A picnic lunch is available on this tour (extra cost applies). Lunches must be pre booked by 6pm the day before travel.
Tour Departs7:30 am – Sky City Bus Terminal, 102 Hobson St, Auckland
Tour Returns8:10 pm – Sky City Bus Terminal, 102 Hobson St, Auckland
Tour Details & Highlights
Full day tour
Operates daily
Departs and returns: Sky City Coach Terminal
Complimentary hotel pick-up / drop-off available
Return coach travel from Auckland
Bay of Islands dolphin watching cruise
Travel to the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’
Guided tour of Waitangi Treaty Grounds (optional extra)
Travel to the birthplace of New Zealand and experience past and present with a sightseeing day tour to the historical Bay of Islands.
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.
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’!
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.
After your tour ends you’ll have time to wander the township before returning to Paihia, where your coach driver will meet you for the journey back to Auckland.
Tour Departs7:30 am – Sky City Bus Terminal, 102 Hobson St, Auckland
Tour Returns8:10 pm – Sky City Bus Terminal, 102 Hobson St, Auckland
Tour Details & Highlights
Full day tour
Operates daily
Departs and returns: Sky City Coach Terminal
Complimentary hotel pick-up / drop-off available
Flagstaff Hill
Pompallier Mission House
Christ Church
Historical Tour
Explore the beautiful Bay of Islands on a half-day cruise and swim with dolphins (if conditions permit) on this full day sightseeing tour.
Some say swimming with dolphins is a life-changing experience. This return tour from Auckland gives you the chance to get into the water with these amazing creatures and swim alongside as they play in their natural environment (conditions permitting). You’ll also cruise the many secluded islands of the Bay and gain an insight into this historically significant region.
Leaving Auckland, travel north on a GreatSights luxury coach, passing through lush green farmland and native bush as your driver guide points out scenic highlights and shares stories about local history. Arrive in the seaside town of Paihia for your dolphin eco cruise and your chance to swim with wild dolphins.
This half-day cruise seeks out the many playful common and bottlenose dolphins within the sheltered waters of the Bay. Keep an eye out for other marine life as well, including whales, penguins and seals as you cruise. Our experienced crew have an intimate knowledge of dolphin behaviour – join them in searching for those tell-tale splashes from our purpose-built dolphin watching boat Tutunui.
If conditions permit, jump into the warmest waters in New Zealand and snorkel with these graceful and inquisitive creatures – it’ll be an experience you will never forget!
At the conclusion of your dolphin cruise you will re-board your coach for the return journey to Auckland.
Tour Departs7:30 am – Sky City Bus Terminal, 102 Hobson St, Auckland
Tour Returns8:10 pm – Sky City Bus Terminal, 102 Hobson St, Auckland
Tour Details & Highlights
Full day tour
Operates daily
Departs and returns: Sky City Coach Terminal
Complimentary hotel pick-up / drop-off available
Return coach travel from Auckland
Bay of Islands cruise
Dolphin and whale watching
Swim with dolphins (conditions permitting)
