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Routes · Oceania

Amsterdam to Northland: Bay of Islands and Hokianga

Amsterdam → Bay of Islands (Paihia) → Hokianga

Bay of Islands
"00_4801_Dolphins_-_Bay_of_Islands.jpg" by W. Bulach, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence
Stone Store and Kemp House (Kerikeri)
Photo: Pseudopanax at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Treaty grounds, kauri forest & dolphins Best season (general guide): Nov–Apr

Northland, at the top of New Zealand's North Island, has a mild climate, a coast of islands and some of the country's most important history. This route spends four nights in the Bay of Islands and two in Hokianga. From Amsterdam you'll connect through Asia or the Gulf to Auckland, then fly or drive north.

How to pace it: Spend days one to four in the Bay of Islands (Paihia): day one, Paihia waterfront; day two, Waitangi Treaty Grounds; day three, ferry to Russell; day four, hole in the Rock cruise. Then spend days five and six in Hokianga: day five, drive west to Hokianga; day six, Tāne Mahuta and Waipoua Forest.

At the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840 between the British Crown and Māori chiefs. The grounds have a carved meeting house, a war canoe and a museum about the treaty. Russell, across the water from Paihia, was once a rough whaling port and is now a quiet town with historic buildings.

Cruises in the bay sail out to the Hole in the Rock, a rock arch at the tip of Cape Brett, and often meet dolphins. Hokianga Harbour, on the west coast, is quiet and remote. Nearby, in the Waipoua Forest, Tāne Mahuta is the largest known living kauri tree, and short trails lead to other giants. Clean your shoes at the stations to protect the trees from disease.

November to April is the warmest season. In the Bay of Islands, an early ferry to Russell is a calm start to the day. The drive to Hokianga is slow and scenic, so allow time for stops. Take a guided night walk in the Waipoua Forest if one is available. In Hokianga, take time to sit by the harbour and watch the light change on the dunes.

Good to know: A hire car is essential. Book cruises and Māori cultural experiences ahead in summer.

Pack a light rain jacket for the forest. Book a kayak trip on a calm morning.

Suggested outline

  1. Amsterdam

    Start

  2. Bay of Islands (Paihia)

    By air · 4 nights suggested

    The Waitangi Treaty Grounds, historic Russell and dolphin cruises.

  3. Hokianga

    Overland · 2 nights suggested

    A quiet harbour near the giant kauri tree Tāne Mahuta.

    Tāne Mahuta
    "00_29_0496_Waipoua_Forest_NZ_-_Kauri_Baum_Tane_Mahuta.jpg" by W. Bulach, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · Bay of Islands (Paihia) — Arrive; Paihia waterfront· Amsterdam → Bay of Islands, Paihia (by air) — long-haul; may arrive the next calendar day
  2. Day 2 · Bay of Islands (Paihia) — Waitangi Treaty Grounds
  3. Day 3 · Bay of Islands (Paihia) — Ferry to Russell
  4. Day 4 · Bay of Islands (Paihia) — Hole in the Rock cruise
  5. Day 5 · Hokianga — Drive west to Hokianga· Bay of Islands, Paihia → Hokianga (overland)
  6. Day 6 · Hokianga — Tāne Mahuta and Waipoua Forest
  7. Day 7 · Hokianga — Travel home from Hokianga· Hokianga → Kerikeri (overland), then Kerikeri → Amsterdam (by air)

A suggested pace only; expedition days are set by the operator.

Flights, leg by leg

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Bay of Islands (Paihia)

Nearest airport: Kerikeri Search fares · Kerikeri ↗

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