Northland Arts, Gardens and History

Day 1              Friday 22 September 2023
JOURNEY TO WHANGAREI          (D)
Starting our tour today we head into the heart of Auckland, our first visit is to Eden Garden. This New Zealand Garden Trust 5-star rated garden has become a must-see destination due to the beautiful plant collections that always provide something in bloom. The stunning display of tulips is Eden Garden’s way of farewelling winter and welcoming the bloom of spring! We depart Auckland heading northbound to Matakana to visit the Sculptureum Experience where the owners, Anthony and Sandra Grant, have spent ten years creating a destination that is designed to “unlock the imagination, fuel creativity and ignite the mind”. Wander down the pathway to view the incredible collection on display that is unlike anything you have seen before. Leaving this wonderful experience behind in Matakana, we continue with our journey north to Whangarei to our accommodation for the next few nights. We dine together tonight in the hotel restaurant.
Accommodation: Distinction Hotel, Whangarei - 2 nights

Day 2              Saturday 23 September 2023
AROUND WHANGAREI          (BD)
Our first visit today is the Whangarei Quarry Gardens, a community garden project created by volunteers in the forested western hills of Whangarei City in the once dilapidated quarry site which has become a subtropical oasis for all to come and enjoy the plethora of native and exotic plants on display While strolling among the gardens, enjoy the many sculptures to be found including "Te Kereru Rua" - by artist Shane Hansen, "Hand Holding Young Kiwi" - by artist Susan Dinkelacker, and many more wonderful creations. Heading back into Whangarei we visit the Botanica Whangarei. The botanica showcases a range of areas that grow a fascinating combination of exotic plants including a heated conservatory for tropical plants and cactus house.  This afternoon we have time to explore the Tutukaka Coast and Matapouri Bay area at our leisure. Matapouri Bay is well known for a spectacular white sand beach while the Tutukaka Coast has been rated as one of the top coastal destinations on the planet by 'National Geographic Traveller'. We retrace our steps back to Whangarei in the late afternoon and tonight we enjoy dinner in the hotel restaurant.

Day 3              Sunday 24 September 2023
WHANGAREI - HOKIANGA          (BD)
Take the opportunity this morning for a stroll to the Marina before we head to the AH Reed Kauri Park.  Kauri trees known to be at least 500 years old can be easily viewed up close from the raised walkway through the forest canopy.  There will be plenty of time to walk the loop track before we visit the Whangarei Falls, a picturesque waterfall that falls 26 metres over basalt cliffs. Continuing our journey north we travel up Northland’s west coast following the Kaihu River to Kai Iwi Lakes, reaching the primeval forest of Waipoua, meaning ‘water falling at night’. Arriving early afternoon at our accommodation on the Hokianga Harbour, take time to relax and enjoy the magnificent views of the harbour and sand dunes before we visit Manea – Footprints of Kupe. This 75-minute multisensory journey guides us through stories of long ago using art, performance, the natural surroundings and other media for a spectacular experience.  Afterwards we will make our way back to the hotel to enjoy dinner together.
Accommodation: The Heads, Hokianga – 1 night

Day 4              Monday 25 September 2023
HOKIANGA - PAIHIA          (BD)
After breakfast we travel to the eastern coast of Northland stopping at Kerikeri, a town with a rich and colourful history.  While here we enjoy a guided tour of the Kerikeri Mission Station, visiting Stone Store and Kemp House. The iconic Stone Store stands at the edge of the Kerikeri inlet, offering a unique shopping experience with an interactive story space upstairs, see how the early settlers lived, and learn about the buildings many functions throughout the years. Built in 1822, Kemp House is the country’s oldest surviving building, surrounded by an English-style cottage garden and orchards. We hear the story of the first missionary families and see their personal items and furniture preserved over the years. Leaving this historic site behind, we visit the Wharepuke Subtropical Garden and Sculpture Park with a 1 km trail of creations leading through the award winning Wharepuke Subtropical Garden of National Significance (NZ Garden Trust) making it an ideal walk for both art and garden enthusiasts. For the sweet tooths on board we visit Makana Confections where we sample their delicious hand-made chocolates. Departing Kerikeri we travel south into the heart of the Bay of Islands to reach Paihia. On arrival we visit the historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds to explore the Treaty House and marvel at the scale of Ngatokimatawhaorua, one of the world’s largest carved war canoes (waka taua). There is also time to wander through the beautiful grounds of the Waitangi estate, and perhaps visit the fascinating Te Kōngahu Museum of Waitangi, an award-winning museum which brings to life the history of Waitangi and Aotearoa New Zealand’s founding documents. There is free time this afternoon to relax and stroll the shops, cafes and beach of the Paihia township before enjoying dinner the hotel restaurant.
Accommodation: Kingsgate Hotel, Paihia – 2 nights

Day 5              Tuesday 26 September 2023
BAY OF ISLANDS           (BL)
This morning we take to the water to enjoy the Hole in the Rock cruise.  On way to the Cape Brett Lighthouse, look overboard to find bottlenose and common dolphins taking delight in racing alongside the boat and showing off their acrobatic flipsacrobatic flips! Farther out we reach the beautiful Motukokako Island and the famous Hole in the Rock. Hold your breath as the skipper skillfully navigates his way through the hole and into Grand Cathedral Cave (sea conditions permitting). On the return we pass several remote islands, fringed with golden sand beaches before reaching nearby historic Russell. Here we enjoy a leisurely lunch at the famed Duke of Marlborough Hotel situated right on Russell’s waterfront, before taking in the sights of Russell on an intimate one-hour coach tour combining historical knowledge and local insight. Learn about significant sites like Pompallier House and Christ Church before standing atop Flagstaff Hill for stunning Bay of Islands views. Enjoy time after the tour to stroll and explore the beautiful township. Stay in Russell or explore Paihia to find some dinner tonight, there are many wonderful options in either town or on the Paihia wharf.

Day 6              Wednesday 27 September 2023
JOURNEY FROM PAIHIA          (B)
Making our way south this morning, we make a stop at The Kauri Museum at Matakohe, an award-winning Museum that tells the fascinating story of the pioneering days and the foresters, sawmillers, gum diggers and farmers that made this area their home. We explore the many exceptional displays and galleries inside the museum, and also visit the two-storey life-sized replica Boarding House, a Pioneer School and the historic Matakohe Post Office with a fantastic collection of telephones. We take the road less travelled to Kumeu, a town which offers a refreshing blend of boutique wineries, orchards and rolling green farmland. Browse through the boutique shops and find some lunch (own cost) before we continue on our way. We travel along the Southwestern Motorway through the Waterview Tunnel (touted as the biggest change to Auckland's roading network since the opening of the Harbour Bridge in 1959) before arriving back in Hamilton.