tuuur.com - Worldwide Trips

Comfort

Explorer

Enchanting Northland

5 days • 4.8

Excellent

5 reviews

5 days

Start

Auckland, New Zealand

Finish

Auckland, New Zealand

Trip Code

PHKR

Min Age

Trip Size

1 - 16

Physical Rating

Meals

4 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Transport

Private Vehicle, Boat

Accommodation

Hotel (4 nights)

From £1,301(5 days)

Trip Informations

Why you’ll love this trip

Cruise through the scenic Poor Knights Islands on a full-day adventure on the water to see some of the north island’s natural beauty. This area is also a Marine Reserve and has volcanic origins over 11 million years old, creating some pretty epic biodiversity.

Visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds to learn about an important piece of New Zealand’s fascinating history, then see the world’s biggest carved waka (ceremonial war canoe)!

Soak in the coastal beauty of Tutukaka – home to one of the world’s most gorgeous coastlines (as voted by National Geographic Traveller).

Explore Paihia at your own pace with a full free day to scuba dive, sail, swim or relax on one of the many coastal beaches within the Bay of Islands. With a handy local leader by your side, you won’t miss any opportunity!

Start and end your trip in modern Auckland – New Zealand's largest city. A big mix of cultures here has resulted in some pretty excellent cuisine, so why not hit up a few of the famous restaurants in your downtime?

Itinerary

Sail, snorkel and sightsee your way through the Bay of Islands

Explore sub-tropical islands and world-famous coastlines on this five-day journey into Northland. Calling all nature lovers, this corner of New Zealand’s North Island is like another world. Northland is known for its dense forests and warm weather, creating a paradise made up of 144 islands – the Bay of Islands. With a small group, you’ll go swimming in the warm seas, take a full-day cruise through the scenic Poor Knights Islands, go scuba diving, snorkelling and kayaking and pay a visit to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Gain insight into one of the most important moments in New Zealand’s history and learn about Māori culture. With free time for an adrenaline-filled adventure in Paihia (or some downtime kicking back on one of the gorgeous beaches), this journey will be nothing short of enchanting.

DAY 1
Day 1 • Auckland
Welcome to New Zealand! Your adventure begins in Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland) with a welcome meeting tonight at 6 pm. If you arrive early, why not check out the Auckland Sky Tower – the tallest building in New Zealand. If the mood strikes, you can also jump off the Sky Tower (with a harness, of course). Maybe visit the Auckland War Memorial Museum or walk around the CBD at your own pace and pick one of the excellent spots for lunch. Tonight, you’ll head out for a welcome dinner with your group to get to know each other.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
Dinner
Special information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
DAY 2
Day 2 • Auckland / Tutukaka
Start your day with a hearty breakfast at a local café for a dose of warm Kiwi hospitality. Then, take a scenic drive to Tutukaka, stopping at Whangarei Falls along the way. This 26 m-high waterfall is a great spot for a photo! Continue along the coastline to Matapouri Beach. With the soft sand under your feet, you can take some time to enjoy the soothing sounds of the ocean. This is a perfect spot to relax, unwind and appreciate the surroundings. Arrive in Tutukaka tonight – a coastal city known for its scenic views, world-famous beaches and coastline (rated one of the top three coastlines in the world by National Geographic Traveller!).
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Included activities
Matapouri Beach - Visit
Whangarei Falls - Visit
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 3.5 hours.
DAY 3
Day 3 • Poor Knights Islands / Paihia
After breakfast this morning, you’ll set sail on a full-day cruise to the Poor Knights Islands. As a total Marine Reserve, the islands boast 11-million-year-old volcanic origins, featuring some pretty memorable drop-offs, walls, caves, arches and tunnels both above and below the water. The rich biodiversity includes plant, animal and fish life unique to the area, so if you’re a wildlife buff this might be the highlight of your trip! Your day will be filled with sightseeing, kayaking, exploring caves, snorkelling, swimming, spotting sea mammals and learning the history of the islands. The highlight of the day is a visit to the world's largest sea cave – Rikoriko Cave, only accessible by boat. Finish your day with a scenic drive to Paihia, where you’ll spend the night.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Included activities
Tutukaka - Poor Knights Islands Day Cruise
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 1.5 hours.
DAY 4
Day 4 • Paihia
Today is a free day in Paihia – this coastal town is known as the gateway to the popular dive sites and sandy beaches of the bay. With more than 140 sub-tropical islands dotted around the coastline, there’s plenty to see and do here! Maybe hit the water and explore the many coves and beaches or take a cruise through the natural rock archway. Explore the ocean floor on a scuba mission or maybe set sail in search of local dolphins. If you’re looking for a hit of adrenaline, why not consider going skydiving? Your leader will have the inside scoop on optional activities and the best places to refuel for lunch and dinner.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Optional activities
Bay of Islands - Island Hopper Day Cruise (October to April only) - NZD195
Bay of Islands - Hole in the Rock Cruise (4 hours) - NZD160
Bay of Islands - Discover Scuba Diving - NZD369
Russell - Ferry - NZD20
DAY 5
Day 5 • Waitangi / Auckland
Today, you’ll discover the Bay of Islands’ important role in New Zealand’s history with a trip to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Get an insight into Māori culture and see the 35 m carved waka (a ceremonial war canoe) – the biggest in the world! After lunch, say goodbye to the bay and start the scenic journey back to Auckland via Northland’s east coast, with scenic beaches passing you by. Arrive back in Auckland in the late afternoon, where your trip comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay in New Zealand’s north island, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
Meals
Breakfast
Included activities
Waitangi - Treaty Grounds
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 3.5 hours.

Inclusions

Meals

4 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Transport

Private Vehicle, Boat

Accommodation

Hotel (4 nights)

Included activities

Matapouri Beach - Visit

Whangarei Falls - Visit

Tutukaka - Poor Knights Islands Day Cruise

Waitangi - Treaty Grounds

Optional activities

Bay of Islands - Island Hopper Day Cruise (October to April only) - NZD195

Bay of Islands - Hole in the Rock Cruise (4 hours) - NZD160

Bay of Islands - Discover Scuba Diving - NZD369

Russell - Ferry - NZD20

Dates and availability

Starting

Ending

Remaining

Prices From

Friday Oct 03, 2025

Tuesday Oct 07, 2025

Trip size max: 16 - 6 spaces left

£1,441

Friday Oct 17, 2025

Tuesday Oct 21, 2025

Trip size max: 16 - 15 spaces left

£1,370£1,301

Friday Nov 07, 2025

Tuesday Nov 11, 2025

Trip size max: 16 - 5 spaces left

£1,711

Tuesday Nov 18, 2025

Saturday Nov 22, 2025

Trip size max: 16 - 10 spaces left

£1,485

Saturday Dec 06, 2025

Wednesday Dec 10, 2025

Trip size max: 16 - 10 spaces left

£1,496

Monday Dec 15, 2025

Friday Dec 19, 2025

Trip size max: 16 - 8 spaces left

£1,507

Friday Jan 02, 2026

Tuesday Jan 06, 2026

Trip size max: 16 - 13 spaces left

£1,480

Friday Jan 09, 2026

Tuesday Jan 13, 2026

Trip size max: 16 - 15 spaces left

£1,480

Friday Jan 16, 2026

Tuesday Jan 20, 2026

Trip size max: 16 - 13 spaces left

£1,480

Friday Feb 06, 2026

Tuesday Feb 10, 2026

Trip size max: 16 - 8 spaces left

£1,452

Sunday Feb 15, 2026

Thursday Feb 19, 2026

Trip size max: 16 - 15 spaces left

£1,425

Tuesday Feb 24, 2026

Saturday Feb 28, 2026

Trip size max: 16 - 13 spaces left

£1,425

Friday Mar 06, 2026

Tuesday Mar 10, 2026

Trip size max: 16 - 12 spaces left

£1,370

Friday Mar 20, 2026

Tuesday Mar 24, 2026

Trip size max: 16 - 16 spaces left

£1,370

Tuesday Mar 24, 2026

Saturday Mar 28, 2026

Trip size max: 16 - 15 spaces left

£1,370

Important notes

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Reviews (5)

5 stars

4 stars

Robert

Mar 21, 2025

Outstanding value.

Maureen

Mar 12, 2025

I toured New Zealand with Intrepid! Seeing this beautiful country with skilled guides, well thought out itinerary was amazing. A happy mix of organized sightseeing and freed time, too. Lovey, comfortable, accomodations.

Nola

Mar 12, 2025

Ultimate New Zealand with Intrepid was a fantastic trip that allowed us to explore the incredible north and south islands of New Zealand with ease and comfort. The highlights were many and the drives between places a feast for our eyes. Our leader, Hayley, ensured our trip was memorable and trouble free. We loved our time in New Zealand and recommend this trip whole heartedly.

Susie

Mar 04, 2025

This 24 day tour, allowed you to experience as much of NewZealands land and culture as was possible in the time allowed.

sanchi

Mar 04, 2025

Great trip of epic south island only. Be aware that others already on tour so may be hard to join established group.

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