As the vibrant heart of New Zealand’s travel and tourism industry, Auckland sees more traffic than anywhere else in the country. Auckland Airport is a major connection and stopover for travelers from almost anywhere in the world and the city offers much for those who choose it as their primary destination. With so much diversity around the North Island, many tourists book one of the Auckland airport car rentals when they arrive to make getting out of the city as easy as possible.
With your own vehicle, heading north and seeing some of the beauty in and around the Bay of Islands is incredibly easy. Plan your vacation to one of New Zealand’s most exciting regions and enjoy the fishing, boating and wildlife that Northland has to offer.
What is the Bay of Islands?
The Bay of Islands is a small inlet, just a three to four hour drive from Auckland airport, north of Whangarei. The area is home to several small towns such as Kerikeri and Russel that rest on one of the arms of land that stretch out into the bay. For a Kiwi experience, the Bay of Islands has just about everything you need: beautiful scenery, wildlife, native bush, beaches, and plenty of ocean.
What is there to do in the Bay of Islands?
Whether you’re looking to stay just for the weekend or during the week, there are enough activities to keep you busy.
Fishing is a popular pastime and there are several charter companies such as Arline Fishing Charters or Earl Gray Fishing Charters that will be happy to take you out on the water. Seasoned anglers will love having a new place to cast their line, and if you’re new to the sport, ask about taking a couple of boat lessons during your day.
Hiking is an easy way to see the land and stretch your legs. From the 8 hour Cape Brett track to the Marsden Cross track, there is something for everyone.
Diving Paihia with DiveNZ is like entering a whole new world. Their professional guides can teach you the basics, or if you’ve been in the water before, the Rainbow Warrior dive site is one of the best in the country.
Enjoy the best of the country in the Bay of Islands. Explore the local landscape, get out on the water and experience everything a Kiwi vacation has to offer. Book one of the many accommodation options, find a place to park your rental car after driving from Auckland, and make the Bay of Islands your North Island holiday destination.
