Responsible travel in Northland

5 night responsible travel itinerary

Whangārei - Tūtūkākā - Bay of Islands - Hokianga - Kauri Coast

This itinerary offers an opportunity to travel with intention, highlighting sustainable operators who use their business to do good for their environments, communities, and cultures.  

From breathtaking kauri forests to sparkling subtropical waters, travellers will connect deeply with land, people, and stories, in an authentic and memorable way.  

This itinerary is suitable for FITs, especially couples and families, and is complemented by the Northland Journeys – the Ancient Kauri Trail, Wandering with Ancestors, Te Ara Coast to Coast, All About Islands, and Into the Wide Blue Yonder. 

Day 1

Morning

Driving north from Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, the first destination of this itinerary is the Hundertwasser Art Centre with Wairau Māori Art Gallery, located in the Whangārei Town Basin. Friedensreich Hundertwasser, an Austrian-born artist, architect, and environmentalist who called Taitokerau Northland home for many years, was also the visionary behind the world-famous Hundertwasser toilets in Kawakawa. He was renowned for his revolutionary ideas of living a life in accordance with the laws of nature, of the greening of cities, of a waste-free society, and the restoration of natural cycles. These principles are reflected in the Hundertwasser Art Centre, a striking mosaiced building constructed using recycled materials and crowned with an afforested rooftop. Visitors can explore immersive galleries showcasing Hundertwasser’s bold, colorful works alongside contemporary Māori art, which together highlight the deep connections between culture, art, and environmental stewardship.  

Afternoon 

The Town Basin is also home to many restaurants and cafes, including Aqua Restaurant inside the Hundertwasser Art Centre, and The Quay, overlooking the marina, perfect for a late lunch stop before heading out to the Tūtūkākā Coast. Both restaurants highlight local ingredients and seasonal produce, as well as showcasing some of Northland’s best wine and beverages.  

Stay 

Lodge 9 is a resort style retreat in the heart of the Tūtūkākā marina area that has adopted the commitments of the New Zealand Tourism Sustainability Commitment and operates with an environmentally friendly and holistically sustainable ethos in all aspects of their business. They are also conveniently located next to Schnappa Rock, an excellent restaurant with a commitment to using locally sourced ingredients, including their own spray-free produce, line-caught fish, and free-range eggs and chicken.  

Day 2

Day trip

The Perfect Day Cruise to the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve offers an unforgettable experience of one of the world’s most pristine marine environments. The Poor Knights Islands have been a marine reserve since 1981 and were rated by Jacques Cousteau as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world. The waters here teem with abundant marine life, dramatic underwater landscapes and the islands are home to the Southern Hemisphere’s largest sea cave. Along with swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, and paddleboarding, the Perfect Day Cruise provides entertaining and educational commentary about the history and delicate ecology of the area.

Stay

Spend another night in Tūtūkākā or carry on north to the Bay of Islands, approx. 1.5hrs away. Paihia has a wide range of accommodation, including the Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands. Scenic Hotel Group has committed to lessening its environmental impact and is proudly Toitū CarbonReduce certified.

Day 3 

Morning 

There’s no better way to see the Bay of Islands than from above, and Salt Air has just the ticket. With the formal blessing of Motu Kōkako Ahuwhenua Trust, Salt Air offers an exclusive heli and cultural tour that includes landing on top of Motu Kōkako - more commonly known as the Hole in the Rock, or Piercy Island. The name Motu Kōkako translates literally to Kōkako Island, Kōkako being an ancient bird species at risk of extinction. Salt Air has collaborated in the past with the Department of Conservation to transfer rare native birds, such as the Kōkako, to the Puketi Forest in Northland for breeding purposes.  They are also committed to the preservation of Northland’s unique and pristine environment – they are the designated first response unit for helicopter firefighting in the Far North District and use their regular flight operations to keep an eye on Northland, for signs of fires and even whale strandings.  

Afternoon 

Following an incredible scenic flight, the afternoon is best spent at the nation’s most important historic site – The Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Tickets include a guided tour, with each tour guide having their own ancestral ties to the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi) and their own personal history and insights to share. A cultural performance is also included, as well as access to two world-class contemporary museums, Ngātokimatawhaorua (the world's largest ceremonial waka), the Treaty House, and Te Whare Rūnanga (the carved meeting house). The large Waitangi Estate which encompasses the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, is managed by the Waitangi National Trust Board, which, among other things, oversees the sustainable development of the land and assets of the Trust through appropriate maintenance, conservation and management, and preserves, protects and presents taonga (treasures) in the Trust’s care.  

Evening 

A visit to the Bay of Islands should always include some time spent in Kororāreka Russell. The Duke of Marlborough on the Russell waterfront is an historic hotel that started life as Johnny Johnston's Grog Shop before rebranding to its more elegant title and receiving the very first liquor licence in New Zealand in 1840. The Duke as it’s more commonly referred to, does an excellent job not only at preserving local history, but also showcasing locally sourced and produced ingredients in the restaurant, featuring local wine and beverages, and fusing Māori culture and cuisine into the menu (keep an eye out for Auntie’s Fried Bread and Hāngi style dishes on the menu). It’s also one of the great places to stay around the Bay of Islands, where many, including The Duke, have adopted the Tourism Sustainability Commitment.  

Day 4 

Day trips 

A sailing trip is one of the best light-footprint ways to explore the aquatic playground of the Bay of Islands. Not only do Barefoot Sailing Adventures offer environmentally-conscious sailing trips, but a portion of every Island Hopper Cruise ticket is donated to Project Island Song – a project working to regenerate the seven main islands and return birdsong to the Bay of Islands. As well as donating funds they also invest time into supporting the project, take part in community events, transport volunteers, and educate visitors on the importance and impact of conservation work in the Bay of Islands. Barefoot Sailing Adventures were also the first New Zealand boating operator to undertake the globally recognised environmental accreditation programme, Blue Flag. The Island Hopper day sailing cruise is a fun mix of adventure and relaxation including paddleboarding, snorkelling, island exploration, and wildlife spotting.  

Another light-footprint idea for the Bay of Islands includes pedal-powered fun, either in the Waitangi Mountain Bike Park, or along the Pou Herenga Tai Twin Coast Cycle Trail. Both combine the fun of exploring on two wheels with cultural storytelling and community-led development. The Waitangi Mountain Bike Park has over 50km of professionally designed trails, and each trail name has been specifically chosen for its connection to the land’s cultural and historical significance. The Pou Herenga Tai Twin Coast Cycle Trail also weaves cultural and historical significance and storytelling into the journey, through storyboards along the easy family friendly trail.  

Evening 

After a day of physical activity, a soak at Ngawha Springs will replenish the spirit. Ngawha Springs has 16 geothermal pools of differing temperatures and mineral compositions which have a long history (over centuries) of being restorative and healing. The stewardship of Ngawha Springs is entrusted to the Parahirahi Ngawha Waiariki Trust comprised of 11 trustees who are direct descendants of the original 11 tūpuna owners, reflecting a deep-rooted commitment to preserving the springs for future generations.  

Stay 

Riverhead Villa in Horeke is a Māori-owned property that combines warm hospitality with meals crafted from local produce. The kauri villa, which is still standing strong after more than 150 years, was relocated to its current site in the 1970s. Riverhead Villa offers more than just a place to stay though, manaakitanga (the Māori tradition of hospitality and care) is woven into every aspect of hosting, and visitors leave with a sense of connection - to the place, the people, and the stories of this special place.  

Day 5 

Morning 

Nearby to Riverhead Villa, the Wairere Boulders provide an opportunity to connect with nature while exploring globally significant geological formations – the unique landscape has formed over 2.8 million years! Kayak hire is available to experience the estuary and the serene Hokianga Harbour, while walking tracks of one to three hours allow you to explore under, over, and around the boulders. The boulders are also excellent for bouldering with 50 Boulders already mapped by enthusiasts and many more waiting to be discovered.  

Afternoon 

The Hokianga Harbour has perhaps the longest and richest history in all of Aotearoa New Zealand and it’s here in Ōpononi that Manea Footprints of Kupe brings the story of the great Polynesian explorer Kupe to life. The tour, led by descendants of Kupe himself, takes visitors on a journey into te ao Māori, the Māori world, followed by a unique and immersive 4D experience. This incredible cultural centre was developed from a vision had by local Kaumātua (senior tribal Elders) for preserving their heritage and sharing it with the world. The unique cultural centre offers education and employment opportunities for locals and profits are returned for community projects. 

Evening 

One of the most memorable ways to experience the kauri forests of Northland is through a guided tour with Footprints Waipoua. Heading into the Waipoua Forest at twilight, the tour introduces the ecological and cultural significance of the towering kauri trees to Māori, connecting visitors to stories, legends, and waiata (song). This spine-tingling experience provides a greater appreciation of these ancient living trees and enforces the understanding of why conservation work is essential against the threat of Kauri Dieback Disease.  

Stay 

From the Hokianga Harbour and down the Kauri Coast, there are many accommodation options including harbourside hotels and kauri lodges, but Wild Forest Estate provides an outstanding tranquil retreat worth considering. Tucked within 35 acres of mostly native forest, guests can choose to stay in the original 1910 Bushman’s cottage or enjoy one of the glamping options. The estate prioritizes the environment, incorporating zero-waste philosophies, off-the-grid accommodations, and rewilding efforts.   

Day 6 

Morning 

At the southern end of the Kauri Coast, The Kauri Museum, which is proudly net carbon zero certified, offers a deep dive into the story of the kauri forests. Sharing stories of courage and determination, tragedy and triumph, the museum is the largest undercover attraction in Northland and covers all aspects of the stories of the kauri tree. The first and largest part of a multi-phase redevelopment, the Forest Walkway was recently opened, taking visitors back in time to when kauri emerged in Gondwanaland, and introducing the Māori dimension of the story. Future developments include an ‘Exit Experience’ which will incorporate more emphasis on environmental science and Kauri Dieback prevention, and a ‘Tree of Hope’ Room with a powerful conservation message for the future.