Ready for an adventure?
Looking for a long weekend to leave you sandy, breathless, excited and wide-eyed? Check out this action filled programme and start packing!
Day One: Thursday
Activities
Get started early and avoid the weekend traffic. Drive to Paihia in the morning and arrive in time for a 2pm horse trek with horse trek’n. Take your pick of a forest or volcano tour to spice up your afternoon. If you’re a keen rider, consider a full day or overnight adventure too.
Accommodation
Cross from Paihia to Russell and stay over at the Russell Top 10 Holiday Park. The park is Qualmark 4 star plus rated, and has accommodation options for all types of traveller and all budgets.
Day Two: Friday
Activities
Take in the Bay from a unique and spectacular perspective with Parasail New Zealand. Choose from a single, tandem or even triple person ride, and enjoy the flight of a lifetime. You can take your own camera or take advantage of a photo and video package.
Accommodation
Stay again at the Russell Top 10 Holiday Park.
Day Three: Saturday
Activities
Explore the bay with the Fullers GreatSights Island Adventurer Cliffs and Caves + Walking Cruise and see how the Bay of Islands lives up to the hype. You’ll take in the Black Rocks and a six kilometre walk, followed by a swim in New Zealand’s warmest water. Keep an eye out for dolphins!
Accommodation
Stay again at the Russell Top 10 Holiday Park, or if you feel like making a change, check out the Scenic Hotel in Paihia for a laid back, resort style experience.
Day Four: Sunday
Activities
Take an hour to drive from the East Coast to the West to race down the amazing sand dunes of the Hokianga Harbour. Travel by boat from Opononi across the harbour to the dunes with Hokianga Express Charters for an experience like no other!
Since you’re staying the night, take in a night tour of the magical Waipoua Forest with Footprints Waipoua. You can enjoy a four hour Twilight Tour, or if you want to hit the hay early, opt for the shorter ‘Meet Tane at night’ tour.
Accommodation
Stay at the delightful Copthorne hotel and resort in Hokianga to make the most of your visit to Northland’s West Coast. The 4-star Qualmark-rated hotel features beachfront rooms, offering magnificent views of the beautiful Hokianga Harbour.