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NORTHLAND, WHERE NEW ZEALAND REACHES FOR THE TROPICS, WHERE TWO OCEANS COLLIDE, WHERE PLENTIFUL SUNSHINE AND RICH EARTH PRODUCE ABUNDANT KIWI CITRUS, WHERE NATIVE MAORI AND
170+ YEARS OF IMMIGRANTS STRUGGLE TO COEXIST IN A NATURAL PARADISE ALL WISH TO PRESERVE.
ALL PHOTOS © HOME AT FIRST
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When Europeans first colonized New Zealand, they chose sunny Northland
with its sunny, warm, ocean climate, rich, arable land, and twin coasts
teeming with fish. To settle here, colonists had to reach an accommodation
with the native Maori. Visitors today still encounter the turquoise waters,
long beaches, great trees, myriad islands, and ideal weather of Northland.
They encounter the Maori, too, and learn the history of the "accommodation".
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Cruising Whangaroa Harbour, Northland
Photo © HOME AT FIRST
 

Attractions in Northland:
 
• Visit Waitangi Treaty House, where colonial New
   Zealand began, and where you discover Maori
    culture and crafts.
 
• Explore the subtropical rain forest to find giant,
    primitive Kauri trees and rare New Zealand birds.
     
• Take adventure cruises: tour the Bay of
   Islands, swim with dolphins, go deep-sea fishing,
   scuba diving, snorkelling, and sea kayaking.
   
• Hike, Swim, & Cruise for a half-day in an unspoiled
   coastal paradise at Whangaroa.

Lodgings: Ideally located bed and breakfast villas and inns in Kerikeri, Paihia, and other Northland towns in the Bay of Islands region. HOME AT FIRST lodgings in Northland are in or near attractive, prosperous towns with several restaurants and other services, centrally located to permit the efficient exploration of New Zealand's fascinating Northland region and with easy access to all the region's top activities. HOME AT FIRST lodgings are small, owner-operated, upscale accommodations with knowledgeable, welcoming hosts eager to help guests get the most out of a Northland visit.

HOME AT FIRST's top-rated Maison
Kerikeri lodgings in Kerikeri, Northland.
Photo © HOME AT FIRST
 

Pre-Planned Adventure Activities in Northland: Most activities for your visit can be comfortably arranged once you are in Northland. However, if you will only be spending 1-3 days there, and, especially, if you plan your visit for January-March, we recommend you pre-reserve certain popular Northland activities before leaving home for New Zealand:
                        • SWIMMING WITH DOLPHINS
                        • DAY HIKING IN PARADISE
                        • GOLF AT KAURI CLIFFS
 
          HOME AT FIRST will make these advance reservations for you for specific dates/times. There is no extra charge for this service.
 
Swimming with wild dolphins in the calm,
warm waters of the Bay of Islands.
Photo © HOME AT FIRST

Beaches: Northland is blessed with some of New Zealand's most magnificent beaches, including secluded coves with turquoise water near Russell in the Bay of Islands; an empty, broad, golden strand and a sheltered cove at Matauri Bay; a spectacular double-scalloped South Pacific volcanic beach at Matai Bay; and the wild mountain beaches of the Karikari Peninsula. Discovering the region's best beaches means coming across some of its best fishing villages and seafood restaurants, too, guaranteeing another perfect day in paradise.

 

Sheltered cove at Matauri Bay, Northland.
Photo © HOME AT FIRST
 

 

Air New Zealand domestic flight arrival at
Whangarei, Northland's principal airport.
Photo © HOME AT FIRST
 

Getting to/from Northland: Most HOME AT FIRST guests begin their New Zealand itineraries in Northland. After their international flight into Auckland, they take a short domestic flight to Kerikeri's Bay of Islands Airport or to Whangarei Airport an hour's drive south of the Bay of Islands. At either airport they collect their rental car and drive the last few minutes to their Northland lodgings. Some HOME AT FIRST guests come to Northland by rental car from Auckland, approximately 3½ driving hours to the south.

Getting around Northland: Drivers will experience little traffic on Northland roads. Even in crowded market towns, driving here is basically stress-free. In addition, visitors can tour parts of the region by specialty rail, bus, and boat for specific sightseeing trips only — like the famous "Hole in the Rock" boat excursion on the Bay of Islands, or the 90-Mile-Beach 4-wheel-drive bus tour to Cape Reinga Light. Use of a rental car permits great flexibility and independence for touring the coves, villages, mountains and forests of Northland — especially for those

 

Bay of Islands ferry underway from Paihia to
Russell. Several local companies offer guided
trips to the main attractions of Northland.
Photo © HOME AT FIRST
  

wanting to stop and enjoy the scenery, and
explore small, out-of-the-way places.

BACK TO THE NORTH ISLAND PROGRAM PAGE

HOME AT FIRST IS A DESIGNATED "KIWI SPECIALIST"
TOUR OPERATOR BY THE NEW ZEALAND TOURISM BOARD.


AFFORDABLE DREAM TRAVEL WITH ALL THE COMFORTS OF HOME.