Trip Advisor
Top of the North day trips |
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The Top of the North is unforgettable – Doubtless Bay, Cape Reinga and 90 Mile Beach are places you may know – added fun can be had by exploring the many other places you won’t know. Shining white sands, clear sparkling waters, dramatic headlands and historic tales abound, this part of Northland should feature strongly on any itinerary into subtropical Northland. |
General
- Fantastic beaches – for walking, swimming, bird watching, surfcasting and relaxing!
- Wine tasting
- Maori arts and crafts
Doubtless Bay
- Sailing and cruising
- Fishing
- Stunning beaches
- Historic townships and buildings
- Fish and chips on the beach!
- Arts and crafts - gift
Kaitaia, Ahipara, and the Aupouri Peninsula
- Cape Reinga – A must do! – Take a tour and hear the local stories
- Golf
- Beach safaris
- 90 Mile Beach – great surfing (Shipwreck Bay), wild horses, surfcasting
- Historic Gum fields – self explore or take a tour
- Quad bikes, horse treks, kayaking tours and fishing, blokarts (land yachts)
- Sand dune surfing
- Scenic flights
- Fishing – rock and surf casting, game fishing, boat fishing
- Houhora - historic sites, fishing, golfing, horse trekking, kayaking
3 to 4 day itinerary - Bay of IslandsDoubtless Bay – Far North – Bay of Islands |
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An extra couple of days gives you time to relax and explore the diversity of Northland's twin coasts which comes to the fore with your own vehicle and a little time. |
Day one - Bay of Islands to Doubtless Bay (approximate driving time 1 hour 30mins)
In the morning depart the Bay of Islands for Mangonui via Matauri Bay, Tauranga Bay and Whangaroa. (optional stay overnight)
Activity suggestions:
- Spend a day at one of the beautiful beaches in Matauri Bay, Tauranga Bay, Taupo Bay, Coopers Beach, Cable Bay or on Karikari Peninsula
- Explore the Whangaroa Harbour – perhaps go game fishing
- Fishing, sailing, kayaking, golf
- Explore the township of Mangonui - a great Heritage trail and awesome fish’n’chips
- Visit a Whaling Museum at Butler Point
Accommodation: Doubtless Bay
Day two and three Doubtless Bay to Kaitaia (approximate driving time 30 minutes)
In the morning depart Doubtless Bay for the Far North
Activity suggestions:
- Guided tour to Cape Reinga along 90 Mile Beach
- Cape Reinga - where the two seas meet and departing point for spirits of the dead
- Self drive and further explore the Far North – spend time at Houhora, Parengarenga Harbour, Great Exhibition Bay, Spirits Bay
- Fishing – from boat, beach or rocks
- Some of NZ’s best surfing
- Walking – along a beach or through the bush
- Land yachting
- Golf – links course or otherwise – the views will distract!
- Kayaking – harbours and coves
- Guided quad bike tours on 90 Mile Beach
- Sample the wines of New Zealand’s most northern vineyards
- Experience time in a Maori learning house and discover Maori Culture
- Explore the gumdigging remnants of early European pioneers
- Visit a vintage collection and relive yesteryear
- Learn more of early shipwrecks and settlers at the Far North Regional Museum
Accommodation: Far North
Day four Kaitaia via Hokianga to Bay of Islands
(approximate driving time 2 hours)
In the morning depart the Far North for the Hokianga.
Activity suggestions:
- Explore the historic townships of Kohukohu and Rawene connected by vehicle ferry across the upper Hokianga Harbour
- Visit Historic places along the way
- Go tobogganing down the giant sand dunes
- Try your hand at Kauri Gum polishing or visit and amazing maze
- Fishing, cruising, horse riding, pig hunting
- See a natural phenomenon – Wairere Boulders in Horeke
- Explore Kaikohe and Waimate North as you make you way back to your destination
Accommodation: Bay of Islands