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Come discover the deep native forests, huge ancient kauri trees, isolated white sand beaches, idyllic islands, tranquil harbours and cultural history that makes up ‘Te hiku o te ika’, or New Zealand’s subtropical Northland region. Whether you’re into scuba diving, surfing, exploring, history, horse riding, or just kicking back and letting the stress drift away this is the holiday for you.

Day 1 - Auckland to Leigh
From the bright lights of the city to the magic of the ocean...

We meet you in Auckland in the early morning and leave the city behind, heading up over the harbour bridge and towards the beautiful seaside village of Leigh and the Goat Island marine reserve.

We drive through the Matakana valley and all its vineyards. Matakana is becoming a weekend escape for Aucklanders, with the arts and crafts, cafes and relaxed atmosphere big draw cards. We will stop here for a morning coffee and to allow you a chance to explore the funky little town for yourselves.

Leaving Matakana, we travel past Whangateau harbour and up into the tiny fishing village of Leigh. Here we are treated to stunning views of Great and Little Barrier Island, the Hen and Chicken Islands and Sail Rock.

Time to hit the water! Throw on the tanks or a snorkel and be introduced to our marine environment the way it was supposed to be! Goat Island has been a marine reserve for 36 years so it is well established with a resident population of NZ marine life. You will come face to face with big snapper, stingrays, crayfish, blue maomao and all the other sea life that lives close to shore at Goat Island Marine Reserve. For those who don’t want to get wet, there’s the dry option on the glass bottom boat.

If the ocean is not for you, have the option to ride a horse down the white sand paradise that is Pakiri beach or just kick back, relax on the beach and enjoy your holiday.

After a fantastic day exploring this coast we will check into our accommodation at Leigh. Tonight we can walk down to our not-so-secret rock fishing spot in the hope of catching a snapper for dinner. A great place to end our first day at the entrance to Leigh harbour.

Day 2 - Aihipara
Time travel!

We step back in time today and venture into Waipoua kauri forest to meet the gods of the forest - magnificent kauri trees over 2,000 years old that stand 50 metres tall and 14 metres around. You will definitely feel their presence when before these amazing trees, whose names are Tane Mahuta, the four sisters, Yakkas and Te Matua Ngahere.

After our encounters with the trees that the Maori believe hold the sky and the earth apart, we spend the rest of the day exploring some of New Zealand’s most quaint historic villages. Lunch will be at the tranquil tiny village of Rawene, before we venture through to Horeke, New Zealand’s second oldest settlement and a place where time stands still. People still have horses tied up to their houses for transport. Here you will hear stories of Cannibal Jack, the treaty of Waitangi and NZ’s first murder trial, and we visit the oldest standing hotel in the country, the Horeke hotel.

We arrive in Ahipara’s stunning Shipwreck Bay in time to take in the west coast sunset and enjoy this picture perfect beach. Our accommodation tonight is just a 5 minute walk from the beach.

Day 3 – Aihipara to Aroha Island
Activities for everyone

Welcome to Aihpara! As the gate way to 90 Mile Beach it is a stunning piece of work; a beautiful white sand beach that stretches all the way to NZ’s northern most tip.

Today you can learn to surf, ride the sand dunes on quad bikes or sand boards, sail along the beach on blokarts, fish for snapper, sunbathe, relax with a book, and take a 4x4 trip up 90 Mile Beach to Cape Reinga. The choice is yours! It is purely a day for you to enjoy and soak up this little patch of paradise.

Maori people call the west coast ‘Tane’ meaning ‘male,’ and the east coast ‘Wahine’ meaning ‘female’. Today we get to test that theory as we drive from the rugged big surf Tane coast to the tranquil clear water of Wahine. The east coast is a diver’s mecca – stunning wreck and reef dives, with the opportunity of harvesting a crayfish for dinner.

We will spend tonight on Aroha Island, a unique native bird sanctuary nestled in the northern reached of the Bay of Islands. The island is a conservation project run by a group of dedicated volunteers; a non profit organization dedicated to preserving our native bird population including the endangered north island brown Kiwi. The iconic kiwi is the symbol of our nation but the numbers have been declining since the introduction of non native predators such as stoats, rats, dogs and wild cats.

By staying on Aroha Island you will be treated with rare Kiwi sightings and other native birds in their natural environment. Haka Tours believes in the preservation of New Zealand's natural environment and is proud to fully support such valuable conservation projects.

Day 4 – Paihia (Bay of Islands)
From one island to many

We can spend this morning enjoying the beautiful short walks around the island or kayaking across the inlet to a Maori pa site which has a very colourful history.

For those who want a bit more action there’s time for another surfing lesson to really get you up and ripping. And for divers, how does diving the famous Rainbow Warrior or another of the Cavilli Islands’ beautiful reefs sound this morning?

Let’s gear up and hit the water! The Rainbow warrior is an ex-Greenpeace boat with a long history that comes with being at the face of saving our oceans for many years. It was initially sunk in Auckland harbour, then re-floated and put to rest in the crystal waters of the Cavilli Islands. Lying in 26 metres of water, the boat is still living up to its name - covered in multi-coloured jewel anenomies. It is a world-class dive and a must do for anyone with a dive ticket.

We make our way along the magical east coast experiencing the relaxed northern lifestyle to Paihia, the gateway to the Bay of Islands. Paihia is a place to find many sailors, fishermen, travellers and locals hanging out at the bars or cafes, playing volleyball on the beach, listening to live music, or partaking in the many activities the bay has to offer.

Whilst in Paihia you can sail a tall ship, sail a quick cat ride known as the Mac attack speed boat, swim with dolphins, take a cruise out into the bay to visit Cape Brett’s ‘Hole in the Rock’, go fishing for kingfish or snapper, or enjoy the views. Paihia is a great place for us to celebrate the things we have done on tour so far so feel free to let your hair down! A ferry will take you across the bay to New Zealand’s oldest settlement Russell, where you can chat to the locals and enjoy a more sedate, romantic atmosphere.

Turn back your eye to history at the nearby town of Waitangi, where we also visit today. The Treaty of Waitangi is one of the most important and heavily contested documents signed in New Zealand. Signed here on 6 February 1840, it was an agreement between the British crown and 540 Rangatira chiefs and considered so important that this day is now a national public holiday. The translations between the English and Maori versions are still in debate today.

We promise you will love the Bay of Islands, as it truly has it all!

Day 5 – Oakura
Pohutukawa trees and isolated beaches off the beaten track

We travel across the Opua ferry this morning and take an enchanting drive along the east coast, which is littered with idyllic bays, pohutukawa trees and stunning ocean views. The final destination of our trip is the small holiday resort of Oakura.

The word ‘Oakura’ is believed to relate to the light that happens at sunrise and sunset. Oakura Bay is a beautiful east facing bay that looks out to the Poor Knights Island; a holiday destination for kiwi families and the perfect place for us to spend the last of our time in Northland.

Today’s options include more surfing for those enthusiasts, another shipwreck dive to the SS Canterbury, relaxing on beaches and catching the fish for supper!

This is the perfect place to finish what will have been a great adventure with everything from the ocean floor to the forest ceiling, new friends and lasting experiences.

Day 6 – Return to Auckland
On the last day those who are keen can get up early to take in the east coast sunrise (complimenting the west coast sunset we had on day 2!). After breakfast make our way back south towards the ‘City of Sails’, where you have the option of continuing your New Zealand adventure with Haka Tours on any of our North and South Island trips.

We will return you to your Auckland accommodation or other designated point in the city for between 4 and 5pm.

You have the option to spend the entire 6 days with us and return to Auckland, or remain in Paihia to spend longer in Northland. We provide your accommodation for 5 nights for whatever option you choose and can organise your transport back from Paihia if necessary. Should you require extra nights’ accommodation in Auckland we can also book this for you from $28 NZD per night.