Welcome to Te Tai Tokerau | Northland

Welcome to Te Tai Tokerau Northland, a place where you will find a surprising combination of natural beauty, unique experiences, and authentic culture and history.

Known for spectacular and diverse coastlines, ancient kauri forests, and the spiritual top of the country, there’s much more to this subtropical region than meets the eye.

Take the time to explore a little deeper, stay a little longer and venture off the beaten track to discover the hidden gems of this expansive region.

We know you’ll find something special here.

Journey deeper into the region by exploring via the Twin Coast Discovery Highway, road and water-based journeys, or the many cycle trails and walking tracks.

Northland, New Zealand is not just a place – it’s a ‘feeling’; one that honours history while savouring the moment and safeguarding the future.

When you experience any or all of the ten road and one water-based Northland Journeys you’ll travel the paths of our ancestors, enthral in the beauty of a natural world and delight in a contemporary and thriving yet unspoiled region.

Spectacular yet diverse coastlines, marine reserves, kauri forests and two oceans that collide make Northland an unmissable and unforgettable destination with iconic attractions that are known around the world. But the Northland Journeys beckon you off the beaten track and on to roads less travelled and a journey of discovery.

This unique set of superb and stunning touring routes tells the stories of our region and people, while revealing more of our favourite places and hidden gems.

Not to be hurried, each 50-150 kilometre journey will deliver an enjoyable half to full day or more of exploration depending on your pace.

Traverse the untamed and dramatic Ancient Kauri Trail and travel the paths of the past when Wandering with Ancestors. Discover the majesty of Where Giants Gather; the towns and coastal routes of Into the Wide Blue Yonder and the history and contrasting coastlines of Te Ara Coast to Coast.

Meander the Secret Coast Route; and revel in the magnificent beauty of All About Islands. Explore Te Hiku o te Ika-a-Māui, uncover Headlands and Hidden Harbours, and wander through The Welcoming Coast.

Plan your route around Northland by downloading free Journey maps before you arrive.

Pre / Post Northland Offers for Te Ūnga Mai Participants

...there's more to come! Keep an eye on this page as we update with new special offers in the lead up to May!

Hihiaua Cultural Centre

Step off the Hatea Loop and take time to experience the Hihiaua Cultural Centre.

View the magnificent carved waka, meet creatives at work, experience the unique and local artworks in Te Wairua Toi gallery, and shop for special gifts. Entry is free and a warm Whangarei welcome awaits you.

FREE

Experience Details

Opening hours: Monday-Thursday 10am-4pm, Friday 10am-3pm, Saturday 10am-2pm

Website: www.hihiaua.org.nz

Footprints Waipoua | Twilight Encounter

Experience the affinity that Māori have with the forest and the deep spiritual respect they have for these sentinels who have stood silently witnessing the passing of time.

Your guide will share thought-provoking information, humorous banter, stories, and legends before respectfully greeting the oldest and largest known kauri trees in the world with spine-tingling chants and song.

$105.00 per adult $45.00 per child

Experience Details

4 hours
Depart 6pm in October-March / 5pm in April-October
Witness forest transition from day to night
Meet the oldest and largest Kauri trees in the world.
Giant trees include Te Matua Ngāhere & Tane Mahuta
Minimum 2 guests

Website: https://www.footprintswaipoua.co.nz/

Explore | Great Sights

Hole in the Rock Dolphin Cruise:

Set off on a half-day Bay of Islands cruise in search of dolphins and other marine life. Enjoy the views from our purpose built vessel as we journey right to the end of the Cape Brett Peninsula, to the famous Hole in the Rock on Motukōkako Island.

FOC

Cape Reinga Wanderer Full Day:

A visit to New Zealand is not complete without a journey to the very top of the North Island – Cape Reinga (Te Rerenga Wairua). Uncover the wild beauty of this vast and untouched region, rich in Māori culture and tradition, on an action-packed full day return tour from Paihia or Kerikeri.

50% DISCOUNT

Experience Details

Website:

https://www.exploregroup.co.nz/bay-of-islands

https://www.dolphincruises.co.nz/

Contact: Chris Kurien

Email: chrisk@exploregroup.co.nz

Manea Footprints of Kupe

We offer you a unique cultural encounter, journeying into Te Ao Māori, the Māori world. Our cultural and heritage centre on the shores of the spectacular Hokianga Harbour is your first stop on this journey.

Here, you will feel the warmth of our welcome as we share our stories and traditions. Our tour is a 75-minute multisensory journey of guided storytelling – through art, taonga (cultural treasures), film, performance, digital interaction, and the splendour of Hokianga’s natural surroundings.

Experience Details

$65.00 per adult

$12.00 per teen

$6.00 per child

Infants are free

Waitangi Bike Park

Bike Hire to explore the World-Class Waitangi Mountain Bike Park

Take a day (or more) and come and enjoy the World-Class Waitangi Mountain Bike Park with the help of Paihia Mountain Bike Rentals. The Waitangi Mountain Bike Park is home to heaps of awesome riding, and provides the perfect all round option for mountain biking any time of the year; with a mix of easy, scenic tracks that you can take at your own pace, as well as track options for those looking for hardcore riding.

Paihia Mountain Bikes is based right at the entrance to the Waitangi Mountain Bike Park, which is only a 4km drive from Paihia. We stock high-quality Front and Full Suspension Mountain Bikes, as well as Kids Bikes and the super popular Full Suspension Electric Mountain Bikes. Our range of bikes are perfect for exploring the 50km+ of professionally-built tracks found within the Park, as well as being ideal for beginners, right through to seasoned mountain bikers.

During Weekends, School and Public Holidays we also run the Waitangi MTB Park Uplift Shuttles. This service allows you to skip the uphill ride and get straight into the fun of the downhills

Experience Details

Price:

$59 Front Suspension Bike,
$79 Full Suspension Bike,
$129 Full Suspension Electric Bike
All Bike Hire includes the $10 Waitangi Mountain Bike Park Trail Building Donation, Helmet, and Map

Website: https://ridewaitangi.nz/

Email: info@paihiamountainbikes.co.nz

Phone: 021 187 8192

The Landing

Cellar Door Lunch

The ultimate pier-to-pier food and wine experience in the Bay of Islands. The experience starts when you step aboard The Landing’s private boat at Russell, Waitangi, or Paihia Wharf for a cruise across the sparkling waters of the Bay of Islands before disembarking at The Landing’s jetty in the beautiful Wairoa Bay.

Experience Details

Included in your experience:

• Boat transfers to and from The Landing

• Tour of the significant historical sites and vineyard

• A glass of wine on arrival at the Tasting Room

• Wine tasting of seven of The Landing wines

• Winery tour and barrel tastings

• Two-course lunch with two glasses of wine

$450 NZD per guest

Subject to availability.

How to book:

Email info@thelandingnz.com

Telephone + 64 9 300 3685

Gateway Motel

Bay of Islands Gateway Motel & Apartments, Paihia

Quality self-contained, air-conditioned accommodation nestled between Paihia and Waitangi on lovely Te Tii Bay.

This Kiwi Owned/Operated Motel offers well-appointed rooms with super-king or king beds and 4K Ultra HD or HD TV’s streaming ready.

10% Discount

Accommodation Details

Free WIFI with unlimited data.

Facilities and attractions within close proximity to the Gateway to Paradise:

Safe swimming beach across the road
Supermarket and petrol station (100 metres)
Meander along the waterfront to central Paihia with all it has to offer
Waitangi Treaty Grounds is a pleasant 15-minute walk. Discover New Zealand’s history and the story of two peoples coming together as one under the Treaty of Waitangi, Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
4km to Baylys’ Farm Wedding/Event Venue, we can accommodate approximately 30 guests
4km to Waitangi Golf Course, where “the sea meets the tee” or for the more adventurous explore the trails at Waitangi Mountain Bike Park
3.5 km to Haruru Falls
The native bush directly behind the motel is home to a vast number of New Zealand wildlife, including Kiwi, Morepork and Tui.
Kerikeri Airport, 21 km from the property, car hire, taxi or SuperShuttle transport are all available at the airport.
Intercity Bus, may drop you off outside the motel at the Paihia/Waitangi roundabout, please make your request on boarding.

Website: https://www.gatewaymotel.co.nz/