Relax in waterfront hotels at Copthorne Omapere on the Hokianga, Ramada Resort, Taipa and Copthorne Waitangi. Take a leisurely drive to Cape Reinga where the Tasman and Pacific Ocean meet. Cruise out to Cape Brett in the Bay of Islands watching for dolphins.
Highlights:
$2,890 per person, share twin
$700 single supplement
9 – 14 May, 2021
• All meals
• 4 star accommodation
• Entrance fees
• All transport by comfortable, air conditioned coach (maximum of 18 travellers).
• Services of your knowledgeable guide.
• Domestic airfares
Our first stop is Muriwai Beach to visit the gannet colony nesting on a headland. We continue up the West Coast to lunch in Matakohe and visit the amazing Matakohe Kauri Museum. North of Dargaville we take a short, flat walk in the Waipoua Forest to see Tane Mahuta, the God of the Forest and the largest kauri.
Staying at The Copthorne Hotel & Resort, Hokianga
From Rawene we catch the ferry across the Hokianga Harbour. There’s time to wander the waterfront at Rawene and see the art and craft galleries in Kohukohu on the northern shore of the harbour. We continue north to Mangonui for lunch at the famous harbourside fish shop.
This afternoon Win Matthew’s shows us his fascinating and immaculate collection of vintage and classic cars and trucks. We stay two nights across the road from Taipa beach at Ramada Resort Reia.
Staying at The Ramada Reia Resort, Taipa
Today we drive as far north as the road will take us to the iconic lighthouse at Cape Reinga where the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean meet. We have plenty of time to enjoy the magnificent views from the pathway out to the iconic lighthouse.
We explore along the way, taking side roads to Houhora Harbour and beautiful Tapotupotu Bay where we stop for our picnic lunch.
We return to our Taipa hotel in time for a swim before dinner.
On the historic trail today we visit Jan Ferguson’s historic house, garden and whaling museum at Butler Point on the the southern shores of Mangonui Harbour.
Also on the itinerary are Kerikeri’s Stone Store and Kemp House built in 1822 for the Kerikeri Mission followed by charming Te Waimate Mission House.
Arriving in the Bay of Islands, we stay two nights in waterview rooms at Copthorne Waitangi.
Staying at The Copthorne Hotel Bay of Islands, Waitangi
Step on board at Paihia to take a dolphin-watching cruise past islands and golden sand beaches to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock. Disembark at Russell to meet up with your Kiwi guide and lunch at the Duke of Marlborough Hotel.
We take a guided tour of Pompallier House and printing press and wander in Russell before we drive to Long Bay with its view of the outer Bay of Islands. Then we drive back to catch the vehicular ferry to Opua and return to Waitangi.
We take a guided tour of Waitangi Treaty House and its excellent museum. In Kawakawa we check out the famous toilet block created by the artist Hundertwasser. We call into the Whangarei town basin and visit a very special place, Robert and Robyn Webb’s Native Bird Recovery Centre, to see talking tuis and Sparky the daylight kiwi close-up.
We continue south down the highway with views out to the Whangarei Heads and over the Bryndrwyn Hills returning to Auckland in the late afternoon.
Some great news… while we wait for international borders to re-open, there is no better time to see a bit of our own backyard and help our local communities get back to business.
We’re excited to let you know that we have partnered with MoaTours, one of New Zealand’s leading and most trusted local tour operators since 1971. MoaTours offers a range of small group tours all over New Zealand that we think you’ll love — from Cape Reinga to Stewart Island.
A a family run business just like Tours Direct, MoaTours has great connections and unbeatable local knowledge of New Zealand’s best kept secrets. They also share common values so we know you will be well looked after and have a great experience.
There’s our favourite tree, Tane Mahuta in Waipoua Forest, historic trails and some great birds. Gannets at Muriwai, seagulls hovering at Mangonui and a wide awake kiwi resident at the Bird Recovery Centre. On the water dolphins leap around the boat on our way to the Hole in the Rock.. Magical…