Australia
Meet the world's largest trees at twilight, then cruise the Bay of Islands.
Three private days in the far north with your own guide: Waipoua's giant kauri, Waitangi and the Bay of Islands, with the Tāne Mahuta twilight walk and Hole in the Rock cruise as add-ons. Accommodation, meals and entries extra.
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From
$2,829 AUD
per person
4.9 from 88 Google reviews
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New Zealand's far north is where the country keeps its deepest stories, the birthplace of the nation at Waitangi, and trees that were already ancient when it happened. This three-day private tour connects them at your own pace, guide and vehicle included.
The west-coast leg runs through Dargaville (kumara capital of New Zealand, Rainbow Warrior masts in the museum) and the Kaipara Harbour to the Hokianga, where the headline act waits in Waipoua Forest: Tāne Mahuta and Te Matua Ngahere, the largest kauri trees on Earth. The guided twilight walk among them is an add-on worth taking, and the Māori cultural framing makes it more so. Then it's across to the Bay of Islands, where you can add a cruise to the Hole in the Rock (dolphins possible), see the Waitangi Treaty House and Te Tii Marae, the glowworm-lit Kawiti Caves, and Kawakawa's iconic Hundertwasser toilets, yes, famous toilets, and yes, worth it.
The return runs the white-sand Bream Bay coastline via Whangārei. Your own accommodation, meals and entry fees are paid separately, as are add-ons like dolphin swims. Three days, the whole top of the country.
Private guide and vehicle
Waipoua Forest's giant kauri
Optional Tāne Mahuta twilight walk
Waitangi and the Bay of Islands
Hole in the Rock cruise option
Pickup from Auckland
Your guide collects you from your Auckland accommodation around 9am and you head north through rolling farmland, past the vast Kaipara Harbour. Stop at the kauri museum at Matakohe to learn about ancient kauri trees and early colonial life, then roll into Dargaville, the kumara capital of New Zealand, where the museum displays the original masts of the Rainbow Warrior. The road winds through Waipoua Forest and its towering ancient trees before you reach Hokianga Harbour for an early dinner. An optional twilight walk with Maori guides to Tane Mahuta and Te Matua Ngahere, two of the world's most significant trees, is available at extra cost.
Cross Northland to the Bay of Islands, arriving around lunchtime. This is where you can head out on the water: a cruise to the Hole in the Rock with a chance of dolphins and whales, a swim with dolphins (weather dependent) or a sailing boat tour, all optional at extra cost. Back on land, stroll the waterfront at Paihia or Russell, and catch the passenger ferry between the two if you fancy dinner with a view.
Time allowing, visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840, and take in views over the turquoise waters of the bay. Stop at Te Tii Marae and see the Ngatokimatawhaorua waka nearby. On the road south, pause at the Hundertwasser toilets in Kawakawa, a colourful piece of public art, with the optional Kawiti Caves for limestone formations and glowworms. Follow the beaches of Bream Bay, break in Whangarei, and carry on for the final stretch (about three hours of driving in total) back to Auckland.
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Public reviews of the operator who runs this tour on the ground.
The operator's track record
Review excerpts below are from Tripadvisor.
"But this is something you won’t see anywhere else. The glowing critters at the top of the cave are otherworldly."
paulzik2025
Tripadvisor review
"Everyone who visits New Zealand should do this tour. You will learn a lot about the Māori culture and people. Also you will see the lake itself and the redwoods with the walkways up in the trees."
paulzik2025
Tripadvisor review
"This tour offers the absolute best combination of personal warmth and cultural education."
TSSNM
Tripadvisor review
Traveller reviews, source shown on each · shown as excerpts.
New Zealand
9 days · 8 nights
4.9 (575 · Trustpilot)
Auckland to Wellington
6 meals included
$1999 AUD
≈ $222/day
New Zealand
9 days · 8 nights
4.9 (575 · Trustpilot)
Christchurch to Queenstown
7 meals included
$1999 AUD
≈ $222/day
New Zealand
17 days · 16 nights
4.9 (575 · Trustpilot)
Auckland to Queenstown
13 meals included
$4399 AUD
≈ $259/day
From
$2829
