5 day itinerary

8am

Depart Auckland for Matakohe

10am

Kauri Museum

The Kauri Museum recounts the history and the legacy left behind by our ancient Kauri Forests. The Museum plays a role in conserving their future by raising public awareness to control the spread of the Kauri Dieback disease and promote forest ecology. The Kauri Museum is a centre of excellence for kauri research with an extensive collections archive.

Explore the many displays inside the Museum, from the magnificent collection of antique kauri furniture to a life-sized replica boarding house.

11am

Lunch boxes are ready for you at Gumdigger Café (opposite the museum)

Depart for Waipoua Forest

1pm

Lunch break at Waipoua Forest

3pm

Arrive Bay of Islands

Take the car ferry to Russell

Check in Orongo Bay Holiday Park

Evening

Make your own pizzas at the wood fired pizza oven

Burma Trail

8am

Breakfast, pack lunches

8.30am

Transfer to Russell wharf

9am

Fullers GreatSights to the Hole in the Rock NCEA curriculum links

Take a Bay of Islands cruise in the scenic Bay of Islands. Enjoy the views from our catamaran Dolphin Seeker as we journey right to the end of the Cape Brett Peninsula, to the famous Hole in the Rock on Motukokako Island.

According to Māori legend, local warriors used to paddle through the Hole in the Rock in their canoes before departing for battle. Drops of water from the cave roof above were a good omen. If conditions permit, your skipper will expertly guide the ship through the narrow space… and if you get dripped on, consider yourself lucky!

*Dolphin encounters are permitted to afternoon tours until further notice. Your itinerary can be rescheduled to suit preferences.

1pm

Return Russell wharf. Enjoy the view from Maihi Hill during your lunch break

2pm

Pompallier Mission & Printery NCEA curriculum links

Social and technical history comes to life at Pompallier Mission in a fun hands-on history experience. In this historic 1840’s Printery you are encouraged to try your hand at tanning and leather production, typesetting, printing and bookbinding, as it was done 175 years ago. Listen to the stories of courageous missionaries who made Māori language books and were witnesses to Treaty-making and the Northern wars.

3pm

Russell Museum NCEA curriculum links

Only five years after the Treaty signing at Waitangi, Hone Heke’s warriors felled the British flagstaff on Maiki Hill, the inhabitants of Kororāreka fled and the town burned. Russell Museum tells the Battle of Kororāreka story, and others, through artefacts, displays and a short video. See early Māori weapons, weaving and taonga, a 1:5 scale model of Cook’s Endeavour & whaling relics.

4pm

Transfer to Orongo Bay Holiday Park

Hangi dinner

8am

Breakfast

8.30am

Transfer to Russell wharf

9am

Bay Belle Ferry to Paihia wharf

Walk along the waterfront to Waitangi

10am

Waitangi Treaty Grounds NCEA curriculum links

Experience a personalised education programme for your group with a range of activities at New Zealand’s most important historic site. Your visit can include an introductory film, a guided tour of the Grounds and its treasures, a guided tour of the award winning Te Kōngahu Museum of Waitangi, and a spine-tingling powhiri (Māori welcome) followed by a cultural performance of waiata, poi, stick games, Māori weaponry, as well as the famous haka.

1pm

Your packed lunches will be ready for you at the Whare Waka Café in the Treaty Grounds.

2pm

Kayak Cruises

Departing from Waitangi boat ramp, paddle up a meandering river, where in days gone by sailing ships used to load up kauri logs. Explore and paddle through mangrove forests. View the colony of sea birds that nest in trees hanging over the river before paddling to your final destination where a waterfall drops into the river. At the waterfall the fun and adrenaline starts, even first timers can safely experience paddling in foaming white water & even under the waterfall itself!

4pm

Walk back to Paihia wharf

4:30pm

Bay Belle Ferry to Russell

Fish and Chips Dinner

Transfer to Orongo Bay Holiday Park.

7am

Breakfast, pack lunches

7.45am

Transfer to Russell wharf

8.10am – 10.30am

Fullers GreatSights Island Adventurer – Cliffs & Caves Cruise. NCEA curriculum links

Get up close and personal with the islands of Ipipiri – the eastern Bay of Islands – from the comfort of Island Adventurer, our 13 metre Naiad boat. Get close to the cliffs and caves of the region, including the remarkable Black Rocks – stunning and extremely rare basalt rock formations. You’ll also explore the caves, lagoons and sheer rock cliffs around Roberton Island (Motuarohia), then land on the beach and walk up to Cook’s lookout for amazing views around the Bay of Islands.

10.30am

Morning Tea break while you enjoy the historic sites of Paihia

11.30am

Depart for Kerikeri on coach

12noon

Kerikeri Mission Station NCEA curriculum links

The Kerikeri Mission Station is the site of two of the country’s oldest surviving buildings – the Stone Store and Kemp House.

Stone Store – built in the 1832, it has been a trading post, library, barracks and boys’ school. The building has operated as a general store since the 1870s, and today offers an amazing range of authentic trade goods similar those first traded in the early 19th century, along with a quirky range of uniquely New Zealand merchandise.

Kemp House – New Zealand’s oldest building, a substantial European home, built by Māori and missionary carpenters. Experience the rich history of this home, as your guide takes you back through time and relive days gone by.

1pm

Enjoy a picnic lunch at Kerikeri Stone Store Basin – a great space to relax or to play games.

2:45pm

Depart Kerikeri for Paihia

3.30pm

Bay Belle Ferry to Russell

4pm

R Tucker Thompson NCEA curriculum link

Depart from Russell wharf

An authentically designed 19th century gaff rigged tops’l schooner, a beautiful working ship steeped in rugged tradition yet modern and safe. The ship will take sailing for just under two hours returning to Russell. You can help set the sails, take the helm, put on harnesses to climb the rigging and go out onto the bowsprit under crew guidance.

6pm

Return to Russell wharf. Transfer to Orongo Bay Holiday Park

Last night: camp fire dinner and story telling

8am

Breakfast

9am

Depart Russell for Waitangi (via the car ferry)

9.3am – 12.30pm

Taiamai Tours NCEA curriculum link

Join Taiamai Tours aboard their waka at Waitangi boat ramp. Gain a deeper understanding of ancient histories and stories whilst you paddle a 40 ft Waka Taua (War Canoe) on the tidal estuaries of the Waitangi River. This Qualmark endorsed and exclusive war canoe voyage is a perfect combination of eco, spiritual and interactive cultural experiences.

Depart Paihia at own leisure