We hope you slept soundly, because today is jam-packed with adventures. Hit the road in the morning for a scenic sojourn to the Bay of Islands. This pocket of the country deserves its name – there are more than 140 subtropical islets off the coast here. It’s undeniably beautiful, but it also holds a special historical secret; this is where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840, between Captain William Hobson and Māori chiefs. Your guide, likely a descendant of one of the original signatories, will explain the significance of the site, while pointing out the world’s largest ceremonial war canoe and a carved meeting house. You wanted an introduction to New Zealand heritage on day one – you got it.
Jewels of the Bay
Auckland, Bay of Islands
This adventure may be short, but it’s certainly sweet. Think of it as a travel amuse bouche – a taster to inspire further trips to New Zealand. In just 72 hours on this NZ holiday you pack in a lot of attractions, from Auckland’s windswept harbour, dotted with yacht sails, to the gem-like Bay of Islands, its archipelago of subtropical islets ideally explored on a cruise. Wherever this NZ tour takes you, expect a dose of heritage and Māori culture. Discover how and where New Zealand became a member of the Commonwealth and explore the streets of the country’s first European settlement and seaport.
Auckland, Bay of Islands
- ���Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide • Centrally located Premium 4 - 4.5 star hotels
- Meet the artists, makers and producers that call the Bay of Islands home, as well as descendants of Traditional Landowners who signed the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840.
- Free day in the Bay of Islands? An optional mini tour of Russell takes you to iconic locations that make it so significant in New Zealand’s early history.
- Take a journey of discovery through New Zealand’s most important historic site, with a local guide. Discover the stories, people and events that have shaped the past, present and future.
- TBA.
- Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide Centrally located Premium 4 - 4.5 star hotels
- Comfortable walking shoes Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat Water bottle Warm layers in cooler months Camera
- Flights to and from the start/end of your trip are not included in the trip price. Day Prior – flights to arrive any time into Auckland AirportDay 3 – flights to depart after 7.00pm from Auckland Airport Return arrival and departure airport to hotel transfers are included.
- Flights to and from the start/end of your trip are not included in the trip price. Day 1 – flights to arrive any time into Auckland AirportDay 4 – flights to depart after 7.00pm from Auckland Airport Return arrival and departure airport to hotel transfers are included.
- Low level of fitness required
- Things don’t always work out. Our 7-day Change of Mind Guarantee is there to help. Bookings (except for cruise bookings and flights) may be cancelled with a full refund provided that cancellation occurs strictly within 7 days from the date of purchase and provided that the cancellation is made no less than 120 days prior to the departure date. Cancellations made within this period will be governed by the terms and conditions of we and the tour provider, and cancellation fees may apply depending on the tour you have purchased. You can find the operator’s full terms and conditions https://www.aatkings.com/about-us/booking-conditions/, and we terms and conditions.
- To protect against unforeseen events, we recommend purchasing travel insurance as soon possible after purchasing this package.
- Name corrections may incur a fee, and name changes are not permitted.
- Date changes can be made on request by contacting us via phone or email. Prices and spaces on the tour and are subject to availability.
For all new bookings, if you can’t travel as a direct result of border closures or Government-imposed travel restrictions that directly impact your booking, we will:
- allow you to change the dates of your tour
- offer you a credit for another tour, cruise or accommodation offer, less any third-party costs that we can’t recover (including from airlines and tour providers), or
- refund the full value of your tour, less any third-party costs that we can’t recover (including from airlines and tour providers)
Package inclusions are correct at the time of purchase, and are outlined in more detail in the “Highlights and Inclusions” section, as well as in the itinerary. Refer to your booking confirmation for details.
- If transfers are included in your package, please note that these are only available on the first and last day of your tour. Arrival and departure transfers are included between the hours of 6am and 6pm only. If you arrive outside these hours a supplement may apply. Please contact our trusted, third-party tour partner for further information.
- If booking a Twin Share package, transfers are based on two people sharing the one vehicle. If you are arriving on different flights at different times, a supplement will be charged for two separate vehicles
- Flight details must be advised as per our trusted third-party tour partner’s requirements. Failure to provide your confirmed flight details within the time period specified by our trusted, third-party tour partner may result in forfeiting your transfer.
Any items and matters not referred to above, including, airfares to and from your destination, air-related taxes and fees (except where specified); additional fees charged by airlines such as checked and/or excess baggage, seat selections and any other services; passport and visa fees; insurances of all kinds; tips/gratuities to Travel Directors, Local Guides, Motorcoach Drivers and other ; laundry; phone calls; minibar; drinks and meals not detailed in the itinerary; and all items of a personal nature.
- International Flights (either side of tour)
- Flights are not included in your package and must be purchased separately. It is your responsibility to make your own travel arrangements and ensure that you arrive in your tour’s start destination on your chosen tour start date. Please ensure you allow for travelling time, and please do NOT book your flights until your tour is confirmed.
- Visas
- A visa may be required. It is the traveller’s responsibility to ensure they’re holding a current visa for the countries they’re visiting. If the traveller is on a non-Australian passport, a valid re-entry visa may be required.
- Important: Please start arranging your visa at least 12 weeks prior to departure to account for any delays due to consulate operating hours and processing time.
- A valid passport with a minimum validity of 6 months beyond your return travel date is required for all passengers (including children and infants).
- When travelling within Australia, please check current state/territory border entry requirements to ensure you’re eligible to travel and have completed any required permits or passes.
- Personal Expenses
- Optional activities and day tours are not included in your tour package, nor are meals and drinks not stated in the itinerary.
- Tipping & Gratuities
- Tipping and gratuities are included for the services included in your trip, but are not included for your Motorcoach Driver and (where applicable) your Trip Manager, Wellbeing Director, Local Hosts or Local Guides. These are at your own discretion, and should be extended on a voluntary basis at the end of your journey. As a guide, approximately A$5 – A$10 per person, per day, is the industry standard.
- Travel Insurance
- Travel insurance is strongly recommended. We recommend purchasing travel insurance as soon as possible after purchasing this package.
- we can assist you in purchasing travel insurance through our preferred provider. Please enquire for further information and to see if our policy is suitable for you.
- COVID-19 requirements vary from country to country and region to region and you may be required to be fully vaccinated and provide evidence of vaccination. Evidence of negative COVID tests may also be required. Airlines and other transport providers may also have separate requirements. It is your responsibility to ensure that you comply at all times with these requirements. No refunds will be given if you are unable to undertake some or all of your holiday due to your failure to comply with these requirements. You will be responsible for any resulting additional costs including travel and accommodation.
- Travellers are advised to check the vaccine requirements for their trip with their local health professional at least 45 days prior to departure, as some vaccines require 30 days or more to be effective. Please check with your health professional that you hold the appropriate vaccination entry requirements for your destination.
- Guests may be required to provide evidence of proof of vaccination against Covid-19 from our ground operator prior to departure. You may be asked to upload your proof of vaccination to the operator’s brand portal prior to departure.
- Guests may be required to provide evidence of proof of vaccination against Covid-19 from our ground operator prior to departure. You may be asked to upload your proof of vaccination to the operator’s brand portal prior to departure.
- Important: The hotel, transportation and/or destination you are travelling to may have health, insurance and vaccination requirements in place. Please ensure you stay up to date with any requirements prior to your departure.
- Travellers acknowledge that they are required to have a good level of health and fitness to undertake the activities in this tour. Further, travellers acknowledge and agree that neither we nor the tour provider will be able to provide medical or other assistance in the event that they are unable to complete any aspect of the tour as a result of their health or physical condition (are we or the tour provider liable for any loss, damage, expense, injury or death arising from such).
- In most cases the tour operator can cater for special dietary requirements but please note that on occasion, this may not be possible due to location, lack of availability of ingredients, and other extenuating circumstances. It is always advised to carry supplies with you.
- Any dietary requirements must be received by the tour operator at least 30 days prior to your scheduled departure date. Failure to provide these details by this date may result in an inability to cater for your requirements.
- Any prices quoted exclude specific costs/measures that may be introduced at a later stage as a result of Government changes due to Covid-19 health and safety restrictions. Our trusted third-party suppliers will inform guests of these changes as soon as possible.
- we reserve the right to modify prices for marketing and commercial reasons. The supplier reserves the right to cancel or alter tour itineraries as deemed necessary. Tour operation or alterations to itineraries may occur due to road or weather conditions, strikes, public holidays, accommodation availability and/or other factors. Accommodation will be of a similar or better standard if a change is required.
- At AAT Kings we strive to represent the very best that Australia and New Zealand have to offer. Our people are warm, friendly, engaged and enthusiastic. We love a laugh and a good story. We celebrate our great characters and our authentic personalities. We are always respectful, we deliver brilliant service and we are proud of our heritage and our culture.Our goal every day is to share Australia and New Zealand with our guests and to bring these two amazing countries to life. You can relax in the comfort of knowing you're in the best of hands. We've got over 100 years of experience in taking care of absolutely everything so that you can get on with creating great new memories.
- At AAT Kings we pride ourselves on our superior hotel and motel selection. Most of our hotels are centrally located and close to major attractions. As we travel from major cities to remote regions, the standards can vary, however you can rest assured that the hotels we have selected are the best available. All hotel and motel rooms are clean and well serviced. Each room contains a private bathroom with toilet, shower and/or bath and vanity. Rooms also often contain tea and coffee making facilities, radio, mini bar and room service. Wherever possible we select establishments which offer additional facilities too, such as swimming pools, sauna, restaurants, and bars.
- AAT Kings fleet of luxury coaches include some of the newest on the road. Our vehicles are equipped with modern features such as comfortable reclining seats with seat belts and footrests, panoramic windows, an on-board restroom, two-door access and state-of-the-art technology including DVD players, GPS and PA systems.Our coaches also have cold water available to re-fill your water bottle or cup. We regularly upgrade our vehicles to ensure they meet the highest safety standards. Most recently, we've invested $8.5million on acquiring new, top of the range coaches for our fleet.AAT Kings pride ourselves on offering the perfect mix of sightseeing and free time. While many amazing must-see experiences are included, there is also time to shop, explore, relax in a local café or take a walk.
- At AAT Kings we've assembled a range of fun, passionate, quirky, knowledgeable and talented people to help make your holiday great and one you'll remember forever. Our team of Driver Guides and Local Guides will bring your holiday to life and they'll share their passion for Australia and New Zealand in ways beyond the expected.We pride ourselves on having some of the most experienced Driver Guides in the world. They'll provide the commentary, stories and insights behind each destination to allow you to truly get a feel for the places you visit, while also being an invaluable resource of knowledge and information throughout your holiday.
- Depending on the tour you choose and the time of year you are travelling our group sizes can vary from 20 people up to 49 people, so there is a great opportunity to mingle and make new friends.With such a diverse range of destinations and touring styles there is no set age or type who travel with AAT, you can expect a wide-range of like-minded travellers. Families with children, young couples, baby boomers, solo travellers, small groups and more can be found on our guided tours. There is certainly no age limit for touring, with children as young as 6 through to seniors travelling, however, the general demographic tends to be over 40. As AAT Kings is sold internationally you will also find that there are people from all over the world on their tours, particularly North Americans, British, Europeans and many Asian nations.