Bay of Islands Hole in the Rock, Lunch & Waitangi Treaty House

Best full day tour out of Auckland traveling north to the beautiful Bay of Islands. You'll enjoy the beauty of the Bay of Islands, located in the North, surrounded by 144 smaller islands. Relax and enjoy the sunny Northland in one day. Be guided through the Waitangi Treaty House and hear about the rich New Zealand history. Afterwards, you will board your catamaran for a relaxing cruise to the famous Hole-in-the-Rock - including lunch. And don't forget to enjoy spotting the many types of marine and bird life, dolphins, penguins, and whales. You will return to Auckland in the evening. Travel north out of the city over the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Then travel via the Hibiscus Coast towards Whangarei, New Zealands most northern city. Finally, reach Paihia in the Bay of Islands. En route (if time permits), a stop will be made at the Parry Kauri Park to view a magnificent stand of native New Zealand Kauri Trees. Upon arrival at the Bay of Islands, your first stop will be the historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where the Maori and Europeans first came together to sign a treaty of understanding formalizing New Zealands future as part of the British Empire. A magnificent Maori meeting house and large war canoe are also on display here. Board a high-speed catamaran for a cruise via the Bay of Islands to the famous Hole-In-the-Rock on Piercy Island. The hole is large enough for the boat to sail through (subject to weather conditions) and is also rich in marine life. Whales, dolphins, and hundreds of seabirds diving into huge schools of fish are common sights during this trip. A picnic-style lunch will be served on the boat along with an informative commentary detailing the history of the many islands of the bay. Re-board your luxury coach for the trip back to Auckland, arriving at approximately 8:00 pm where selected inner-city hotel/motel drop-offs will commence.