Bay of Islands
The Bay of Islands is an area in the Northland Region of the North Island, close to Whangarei. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in New Zealand. Fishing and sailing are at their best here. It is also home to Waitangi, one of the most historic sites in the country.
How to get to Bay of Islands
Bay of Islands is served by an airport, Kerikeri Airport, which receives flights to/from Whangarei and Auckland.
By road, Bay of Islands is connected to the rest of the North Island via the State Highway 1. Buses operated by InterCity Coachlines offers connections to the cities on the North Island. It is also possible to book sightseeing tours from Auckland.
>>read more about Getting from Auckland to Bay of Islands
Weather
The coldest months are June through September when the average temperature is between 7C and 8C. The warmest months are January and February, with average temperatures of 14C.
>>read more about Weather in New Zealand
Things to do
Don’t miss visiting the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where New Zealand’s most significant document, The Treaty of Waitangi, was first signed between a few Maori chiefs and the British Crown. Also, make sure to visit Stone Store, the oldest building in New Zealand.
>>read more about Waitangi Day
If you want to explore the beautiful landscape, the Haruru Falls is a lovely choice. It is accessible via the Waitangi walking track. The Puketi Forest together with Omahuta Forest form one of the largest contiguous tracts of native forest in New Zealand’s Northland.
Bay of Islands is home to many activities, most of them on or in the water so you can try your luck at fishing or enjoy some relaxing time on a boat. Should you want to just soak up the sun, Long Beach is a popular option for swimming.