Page 14 of New Zealand Island Discoveries Shore Tours by P&O Cruises

bay of islands historic waitangi kerikeri approximate duration 31/2 hours bi1-f on this historic tour you will travel over the waitangi bridge and pass the haruru falls en route to picturesque kerikeri an area known for both its fruit orchards and the location of some of new zealand s finest historic architecture what you visit waitangi treaty house at this location in 1840 the british crown and many maori tribes of new zealand signed the treaty of waitangi new zealand s founding document first occupied by british resident and acting governor james busby almost all of the timber for the house was imported from sydney notes and later assembled onsite its recent restoration has shed a great deal of light this tour operates in on the original construction methods in use at the time you will have time to a motorcoach with a stroll about the broad lawn which overlooks the inner islands of the stunning bay of islands and see a huge maori canoe known as a waka driver/guide to make your day as enjoyable as possible please ensure that you wear comfortable flat-soled shoes clothing suited to the weather conditions a hat jacket and bring along some sunscreen and bottled water bay of islands bay of islands hole in the rock cruise approximate duration 31/2 hours bi1-g this tour takes you by chartered catamaran through the magnificent inner islands of the bay including the famous `hole in the rock and the magnificent grand cathedral cave the waters of this area are teeming with a large variety of marine life and you may encounter pods of dolphins seals fairy penguins and whales your bay of islands cruise boarding the chartered high-powered vessel you will be met by your local guides and welcomed onboard pass the historic towns of paihia and russell by sea before entering the bay of islands channel where your catamaran will begin cruising through the renowned game-fishing waters of the bay of islands to the magnificent cape brett lighthouse you will pass through the inner islands of the bay to motukokao island and the famous hole in the rock here the purposebuilt catamaran will negotiate the channel through the hole and to the grand cathedral cave you will make a stop at the beautiful otehei bay on urupukapuka island the largest of the bay of islands group urupukapuka was made famous in the 1920s when the writer zane gray established a base for his fishing adventures in the waters of this region leaving the boat you will have an opportunity to see zane gray s restaurant or relax on the beach during your stay this is the perfect opportunity for a quick swim photo opportunity the magnificent hole in the rock is a photographer s paradise with an abundance of natural islands and secluded beaches the bay of islands scenery is nothing short of spectacular snacks beverages and snacks are available for purchase throughout the cruise notes every effort will be made to sight marine wildlife however it cannot be guaranteed participants must be able to walk approximately 100 yards over even paved and wooden dock surfaces with approximately 10 steps on urupukapuka island negotiating the channel through the `hole in the rock is weather dependent and will not be undertaken in unsafe conditions kerikeri it is here that the first house kemp house was built in new zealand the house was built for the missionary society of london in 1819 now kerikeri is an important citrus fruit area where much of new zealand s orange and grapefruit crop are grown kerikeri is also a popular haven for artists and crafts people refreshments a refreshing morning tea will be served at a local café in kerikeri photo opportunities the kemp house and stone store in kerikeri are some of the most photographed buildings in the country the waitangi treaty grounds is an ideal location for photographers and features a broad lawn which overlooks the inner islands of the stunning bay of islands shopping kerikeri s stone store is the oldest commercial building in the country and sells authentic reproduction goods from the 1820s ­1860s as well as modern local souvenirs the waitangi treaty grounds feature an extensive gift shop which specialises in locally made gifts jewellery ceramics as well as new zealand themed souvenirs bay of islands what you see along the way you will travel over the waitangi bridge and pass the haruru falls en route to kerikeri an area as famous for its fruit orchards as it is for its history 24 25 bay of islands

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