Overnight Visit #1
- Accommodation:
Copthorne Hotel Bay of Islands
- Transport: GreatSights
DAY 01
8.00am
Depart Auckland for Bay of Islands
12 noon
Arrive Bay of Islands
Lunch at Copthorne
Check into accommodation
1.30 – 4.30pm
Taiamai Tours NCEA curriculum links
Join Taiamai Tours aboard their waka at Waitangi boat ramp (5 minutes walk from Copthorne). 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.
4.30pm
Walk back to Copthorne, where you have time to refresh (in the pool) before starting your evening experience at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.
5.30 – 7.30pm
Hāngi & Concert at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. NCEA curriculum links
Walk to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds for a themed cultural evening. You’ll be treated to a traditional Māori hāngi cooked in a contemporary earth oven. The experience starts at Whare Waka Café with the unveiling of the hāngi, a spine-tingling cultural performance in the Carved Meeting House followed by the hāngi buffet of meats, stuffing, vegetables, breads, salads and steamed pudding.
DAY 02
8am
Breakfast at Copthorne, collect packed lunches
Check out of accommodation
9.30am
Bay Belle Ferry from Paihia to Russell
10am
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.
11am
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.
12 noon
Lunch at the picturesque Russell waterfront
12.40pm– 4.20pm
Fullers GreatSights Hole in the Rock With Dolphins Cruise NCEA curriculum links
Take a half-day Bay of Islands cruise in search of dolphins and other marine life. Enjoy the views from our catamaran Dolphin Seeker as we journey around the Bay of Islands right to the end of the Cape Brett Peninsula, to the famous Hole in the Rock on Motukokako Island.
Depart Paihia at own leisure.