Bay Of Islands

The birthplace of New Zealand, the Bay of Islands is a beautiful area with amazing views of the sea and picturesque countryside. It’s here that the Treaty of Waitangi was signed, which established British rule in the area and led to the New Zealand of the modern era. Visit the Treaty Grounds and you’ll learn more about the interactions between the Maori and the British Crown, and enjoy spectacular views out across the bay. You can learn more about the indigenous Maori people by meeting descendants of the original families, experiencing a taste of Marae life and travelling by a traditional waka canoe.

Take a cruise on a catamaran around the bay and you can discover the Hole in the Rock, a true wonder that was formed by wind and the ocean waves. And you certainly won’t want to miss a trip to the glow worm caves. These limestone alcoves are home to thousands of glow worms across the ceiling, with imposing stalactites and stalagmites creating an awe-inspiring scene.

The currency in the Bay of Islands is the New Zealand Dollar. The Bay of Islands is 12 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT +12).