5-Day Treasures of the North

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Collect your rental car and GPS system. The trip from Auckland to the Bay Of Islands takes around 3.5 hours, give yourself some leeway for stops. As you go through Puhoi, take in the bohemian atmosphere of this historical township. Stop for a breath of fresh salty air in Whangarei and take another break at Kawakawa - home to the world-famous Hundertwasser toilets. Enjoy the native bush surrounds and marvel at the endless golden beaches as you arrive into central Bay Of The Islands, Paihia.

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Commonly known as the ‘winterless north’ New Zealand’s Bay of Islands is made up of over 140 subtropical atolls. Renowned for its untouched beaches and abundant marine life, this tropical paradise ticks all the boxes. Head out on a dolphin cruise through the Hole in the Rock this morning. Learn about our culture in Waitangi, the site where The Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840 between the Maori and European settlers dictating the terms by which New Zealand would become a British colony.

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From the Bay of Islands, leave the Pacific Ocean for the wilder shores of Hokianga and the Tasman Sea. Small towns Omapere and Opononi are reminiscent of days gone by and are the perfect place to stop for ice cream on a hot day. Head south to the Kauri coast and the Waipoua Forest, home to giant Kauri trees. Not to be missed is the five-minute loop to the largest Kauri, Tane Mahuta. Backtrack to the Matakohe Kauri Museum and continue on the road to Snells Beach.