Rental Car Itinerary - Three Day Northland

Day One:

Auckland  to Paihia, Bay Of Islands.

Features:

Orewa
The seaside town of Orewa, about 50km north of the city is good place to stock up on groceries and enjoy a coffee break. Orewa is renowned for its long white sand beach guarded over by a file of giant Norfolk pines. Just around the headland you'll find the thermal village of Waiwera. Waiwera translates to warm water (wai = water wera = warm) and that's exactly what they have, there are some fantastic hot pools to soak the aches and pains of travel away
 
Kauri  Park,  
Warkworth was one of earliest areas settled in New Zealand. It's abundance of gigantic Kauri trees made it a prized location for early timber merchants. Today most of the great Kauri forests have given over to farmland. Just south of Warkworth is the Parry Kauri Park. It's the local regional museum with pictures of by gone eras and it's located among an extravaganza of giant Kauri trees.
 
Goat Islands Marine reserve, 
Goat Island  has been a marine reserve for almost 30 years. It has the esteemed privilege of being New Zealand's first marine reserve. It's relatively well sheltered and there's easy beach access. The weather and tide can change conditions so it pay's to check before venturing in to the water. There's a huge array of fish life at Goat Island, giant snapper, grand-daddy crayfish, schools of maumau, red moki, blue cod, kelpfish, spotties, parore, marble fish, sting rays, eagle rays and a sprawling population of sea urchins (kina)just naming a fraction of them.  Goat Island is a jewel for any one interested in a pristine untouched marine environment.
 
Poor Knights Islands  
The Poor Knights were rated by Jacques Cousteau as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world. They are unquestionably one of New Zealand's greatest ecological jewels. The warm tropical current of the Tonga Kermadic trench catches the Poor knights in it tail.  This warm tropical current brings with an array of unusual species for NZ waters. This is also a prized hunting ground for many of game fishing's most prized trophies. The islands are the remains of an ancient volcanic rim, they are 25 km off the shore from Tutukaka, they are renowned for the deep blue ocean water and it's visibility often exceeding 60m. There are a multitude of dive sites through out the group featuring giant packhorse crayfish, massive long tailed stingrays, schools of thousands of blue and pink maumau, predatory kingfish and travelly as well as an abundance of various other fish species. Nudibranchs, kelp forests, crustaceans and under water caves as grace the islands ocean floor .
Dive and snorkelling trips can be arranged in Tutukaka.
 
Striking coastal scenery. 
The coastline is littered with glistening rocky inlets guarded by Pohutukawa covered headlands and sheltered sandy bays. The locals are friendly and the scenery stunning. You'll encounter patches of Northland rain forest. Once you've left the coast line you'll find yourself wandering through the secluded isolation of the outer Bay of Islands before winding your way through the upper reaches of the Waikere inlet. This is a stunning drive!
 
Bay  Of Islands Paihia 
There are 144 islands scattered through out the Bay. The best way to view them is from the water. There are literally dozens of ways you can get out amongst it. There are a number of half and full day sightseeing excursions including trips to the world famous hole in the rock. There are also dolphin swimming trips, sailing trips, sea kayaking and tall ships.
 
There's also a lot to be seen by car, about 5 minutes from Paihia is the historic site the Waitangi treaty grounds. It was here in 1840 a treaty between many leading Maori tribes and the British monarchy was signed pledging sovereignty to the British crown and preserving traditional Maori rights. The treaty is still fiercely being contested today. The grounds feature the original treaty house, an ornately carved Marae (meeting house) and the great waka (war canoe) Ngatokimatawhaorua.  There are guided tours available and Kapa Haka (traditional song and dance) shows perform daily. There's also an awesome light and sound show that operates in the evening several nights a week.
 
There are plenty of way's to spend time in the Bay of Islands. There are the historic buildings of Russell, well they're historic by New Zealand standards anyway, flag staff hill, Pompellier House or perhaps seafood and chardonnay at the Duke of Marlborough.
 
Waitangi has one of the best appointed golf courses in New Zealand, perhaps even the world, there are several excellent bush walks, mountain biking and a host of other activities.

Day Two:

Day trip from Paihia to Cape Reinga
 
Features:

Rainbow  Falls 
The rainbow falls just outside Kerikeri are worth a stop. The falls are 27m high and can present them selves in any form from a gentle veil to a ragging thunderous torrent all depending on  the amount of rain, in either case they are worth a stop and another special Kodak moment.
 
Rainbow warrior Memorial, 
A dusty road winds it was down to a duo of white sandy bays fringed with rocky headlands. The royal blue ocean water lapping on the shores of Matauri bay and the Cavalli Islands beyond provide a visual extravaganza. Matauri Bay is also the resting place of the Greenpeace flagship The Rainbow Warrior. There's a monument and memorial to the ship on the top of the headland, the wreck itself is only accessible to scuba divers.  Dive trips can be arranged in Paihia.
 
 
 90 mile beach, Te Paki Stream,  
Te Paki stream is a popular place to stop at along the Cape Reinga Road. There's a fresh water stream leading down to ninety mile. The stream is shallow and is used by vehicles to access 90 mile beach. RENTAL CARS ARE NOT INSURED ON 90 MILE BEACH. There are some huge sand dunes which provide some excellent sand boarding. If you don't have a boogie board, try the lid of your chilly bin or even a card board box.
 
Cape  Reinga 
Cape  Reinga is one New Zealand's Maoris most sacred sites. Maori believe that when they pass in to the next world their spirits travel through Aotearoa before climbing down the twisting tangled pohutukawa at the Cape Reinga headland. From there they travel to the three kings islands about 50 km north. There they rested before making their journey back to their ancestral homeland of Hawaiiki. Please bare this in mind when visiting the Cape and respect its cultural heritage.
 
The lone figure of the light house watches guard over the meeting of the two oceans. The Tasman Sea on the West coast and the Pacific Ocean often put on a spectacular performance as the two ocean currents crash into each other spewing white water in a fury untold. The Cape is a notoriously dangerous stretch of water.
 
Tapotupotu  Bay  
Tapotupotu  Bay is a small sandy bay located not far from the Cape Itself. There is a DOC camp ground there with fresh water and toilet facilities. There are also mosquito's reputed to be big enough to carry off small children! The water looks pretty enticing but be wary!!! There are very strong under currents and rips.
 
Northlands Giant Kauri's 
The New Zealand kauri (Agathis Australis) is the second largest tree in the world. They have been known to grow as high as 50 m with a girth of up to 16m. Needless to say these are some big arse trees!!! The most famous Kauri Tree in New Zealand is 'Tane Mahuta' in the Waipoua forest on Northlands West coast. In Maori legend Tane is the god of the forest. This particular tree is regarded to be the creator of all living things. It could well be, after all, this tree was here 800 years before the first man arrived on these shores.  Tane Mahuta is quite an impressive sight. The route back via the West coast is pretty impressive, until you leave the kauri forest, after that the route is fairly uneventful and can be an arduous drive. If you want to check out a Kauri forest, the Puketi forest is on Highway one between Cape Reinga and Paihia. Whilst is doesn't host Tane Mahuta, it's still very impressive to walk among these giants of the Jurassic era.
 
Ngawha Hot springs 
The Ngawha hot springs are undoubtedly the smelliest hot springs in New Zealand, the aroma from the minerals will accompany you for a few days after ward. It is unquestionably the most revitalising hot spring in New Zealand. The facilities are pretty basic but for hot pool enthusiasts, this is an absolute must!

Day Three:

Paihia to Auckland;

Features:

Morning in the bay of Islands and return journey to Auckland.