Whether you are looking for a guided tour of the Bay of Islands, or a coach tour of the Northland, New Zealand has plenty to offer. It is the sixth largest island country by area, and there are over 700 smaller islands scattered throughout the island nation. You can learn about the history, culture, and wildlife of New Zealand by taking a tour.
APT’s Brilliant Bay of Islands tour
Taking a holiday in New Zealand’s subtropical Bay of Islands is a must for those who like to experience the natural wonders of this part of the country. This area is home to 150 islands. You can choose to visit one of the quaint B&Bs, or go all out and stay at a luxurious clifftop hotel.
APT’s Brilliant Bay of Islands tour is an opportunity to enjoy some of the most pristine scenery in the country. You’ll find yourself in the heart of the country’s story – from Maori culture to tales of whalers to natural beauty. Among the highlights of this tour are the Bay of Islands’ many attractions, including the Maori cultural center of Waitangi and the Duke of Marlborough pub.
APT’s Brilliant Bay of islands tour also includes the more mundane elements of the New Zealand experience. There’s a whole list of things to do in the Bay of Islands, from sightseeing to drinking the local brew, from taking in the sites to enjoying a scenic helicopter ride. APT’s itinerary is a whopping 17 days and 57 nights, so you’ll get to see a lot of it.
The APT tour is a grand tour encompassing Auckland and the Bay of Islands, so you’ll be able to experience New Zealand’s best. The tour is all inclusive, with hotels, meals, sightseeing and sightseeing activities included. You can also choose to book a 5-Day Brilliant Bay of Islands Cruise, which offers exclusive savings. During your trip you’ll see all the best sights the Bay of Islands has to offer.
You’ll also get to experience some of New Zealand’s most scenic vistas, including Rainbow Falls, the shortest river in the country, and the tallest kauri tree in the country.
Hiking New Zealand’s Northland
Whether you are looking for a short hike or a long one, New Zealand’s Northland offers a great range of hikes to choose from. This region is full of incredible landscapes, including the magical glowworm caves of Waitomo, the lush rainforests of Whirinaki, and the huge Emerald Lakes of Tongariro National Park.
In addition to the amazing landscapes, Northland is also home to geothermal wonders. Rotorua is a geothermal hotspot with boiling mud pools and sulfurous springs. A three-hour bus ride from Auckland will take you to Rotorua.
Rangitoto Island is an uninhabited volcanic island off Auckland. Rangitoto is home to native New Zealand birds, cool caves, and panoramic views of Auckland. The island is also a protected reserve for native bush.
The East Peninsula of the North Island is beautiful and relatively unexplored. Hiking here is a great way to enjoy the rugged coastline, mountain scenery, and beautiful sunrises.
On the Aupouri Peninsula, the Te Paki Stream winds through the sand dunes. The trail alternates between sandy beaches and muddy forests.
The Waipoua Kauri Forest is home to giant snails and 3000-year-old trees. The forest is also dying of kauri dieback disease.
Cape Reinga is the most spiritually significant sight for Maori in New Zealand. The area is often shrouded in fog. It reaches out to the island with an abandoned lighthouse.
The Bay of Islands is studded with colonial era towns and sheltered beaches. The Waitangi Treaty Grounds are also located here. It is home to a number of wineries.
The Kapowairua walk is a 45-minute walk that provides great views of the Northland coast. The trail winds through nikau palms and ancient pohutukawa trees. It eventually descends to Sandy Bay.
Taking a coach
Taking a coach to tour New Zealand is a great way to see the country. You can enjoy the scenery, see the top attractions, and make lifelong friends along the way.
In recent years, New Zealand coach tours have implemented a number of innovations to provide a more comprehensive experience for their customers. These innovations include a larger capacity coach, better seating, and the latest technology. Using these innovations, New Zealand coach tours have improved their service and value to stay competitive in an industry that is continually growing.
Some of these innovations include an all-inclusive coach tour, which offers guests a chance to add on optional paid activities. These activities are arranged by the driver, who is also an expert guide. Some paid activities include Queenstown Gondola, Marlborough wine tasting, and Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Park.
Another is the New Zealand party bus, which offers a range of different services for younger travelers. These include bike rentals, food, and free attractions. You can choose from two to 28 days of fun, and it costs from 85 to 1,499 NZD per person.
Taking a coach to tour New Zealand may sound intimidating, but it’s actually a breeze. New Zealand has an extensive network of hop on, hop off traveller’s networks that make it easy to visit all the country’s major destinations.
There are also options for self-drive tours. This can include touring the North Island, or a self-drive tour of the South Island. These options also allow you to customize your tour to your exact needs.
New Zealand coach tours have come a long way in the past decade. In addition to improvements in service and comfort, they have also listened to customers and implemented the best innovations to improve their product.
Wineries and rural life
During your New Zealand tour, you will learn about the history of the country, see spectacular landscapes, experience a taste of local culture and drink some of the country’s best wines. You will also see many of the natural wonders that make New Zealand such an exciting and beautiful destination.
The first wine region to open in New Zealand was Northland. Today, six wine regions exist on the North Island. These include Auckland, Hawke’s Bay, Nelson, Marlborough and the Central Otago region.
Marlborough produces 77 percent of New Zealand’s wine. This is due in part to its low soil fertility and extended ripening period. It is also known for producing some of the world’s finest Sauvignon Blancs.
There are many ways to spend a day in the Marlborough region, including a scenic 4WD coach drive and a gourmet BBQ lunch at a top vineyard restaurant. You can also drive yourself or take a train up the coast.
The 5.5-hour Private Boutique Wine Tour takes you to four of New Zealand’s best premium vineyards. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to sample a dozen or so wines. The winery also offers a top-notch restaurant that uses local ingredients.
The Classic New Zealand Wine Trail is a list of 230 vineyards. Each winery is unique and the marketing strategies for each vary.
The Wine Tours in New Zealand provide technical insights into world-class wines. You’ll taste wines from tanks, learn about their different stages of production and experience what a New Zealand winery is really like.
The Wine Tours also include food matching, local specialties, wild honey and award-winning olive oil. The winery’s staff can point you in the direction of walking trails.
Maori culture
Having a Maori cultural experience in New Zealand is a unique way to see the country. Maori have always had a deep connection to the land. They learned to use local resources and have developed a strong social structure based on tribal association.
One of the most famous Maori cultural experiences is attending a Haka. This is a ceremonial war dance performed by Maori. The Haka involves vigorous physical motions, synchronized stomping, and chanting. It is also used as a form of respect. The Haka is often performed for a special occasion, such as a wedding or funeral.
Aside from the Haka, there are many other iconic Maori cultural experiences in New Zealand. These include watching the poi dance, visiting a waka, and visiting a Maori village. There are also Maori meeting houses, which are wooden buildings. They are decorated with carvings of ancestors.
Maori meeting houses are often painted maroon or oxblood red. Visitors must show respect before entering. They also must pass the “Powhiri” challenge. This is a traditional ceremony in which guests are challenged by a warrior to present a token.
Maori meeting houses also offer visitors the opportunity to learn about Maori history. Often, visitors are given a Maori name, and are encouraged to participate in traditional customs. In addition to learning about Maori culture, tourists also have the opportunity to visit sacred sites.
New Zealand’s Maori heritage is a significant part of the country’s identity. The country’s leaders recognize the ancient beliefs of Maori. They are committed to continuing to develop the culture.
The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, located in Wellington, is dedicated to Maori culture. The museum has interactive displays and provides insight into New Zealand’s history.