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There is no better way to experience the stunning beauty and panoramic views of the Bay of Islands than from the seat of our Eurocopter 130 - B4. This helicopter offers unparalleled visibility and will give you a unique appreciation of the landscape. It comfortably seats six passengers.
Highlights of the Bay of Islands include the lovely Pink Beach, the secluded sanctuaries of Cape Wiwiki and Takou Bay, the Te Puna Inlet and the beautiful bay of Tapuaetahi. The region is also home to the historic settlement of Russell, New Zealand's first capital city, and the Waitangi Treaty House. Nearby are the spectacular Haruru Falls, the location of New Zealand's first river port, and the township of Kerikeri. Kerikeri is home to the historic Stone Store (the oldest stone building in New Zealand) and St. James Church. Further south along the coastline can be found the 'Hole in the Rock,' a unique rock formation, and Cape Brett, a marine reserve where dolphins and orca whales can often be spotted in the water.
Heading north from Kauri Cliffs along the coastline are Whangaroa Harbour and Doubtless Bay, where the pohutukawa trees with their brilliant red blossom fringe the rocky coastline and make a stunning sight during the Christmas period. Further north are the pure white sands of Cape Karikari, where many world record marlin have been caught, and the Houhora Harbour.
To the west of Doubtless Bay are the mangrove flats and white beaches at Rangaunu Harbour and to the north is Great Exhibition Bay. Ninety Mile Beach is situated on the west coast, opposite Houhora and Great Exhibition Bay. It is home to herds of wild horses that run free in the desert-like sand dunes and New Zealand fur seals that wallow on the rocky outcrops.
In the far north is Cape Reinga, where the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean collide. The far north is also the location of Cape Maria van Diemen, the westernmost point of the North Island. Nearby are Spirits Bay and Parengarenga Harbour, home to the purest deposit of silica sand in the world and an abundance of sharks and stingrays.
At the southern end of Ninety Mile Beach can be found the small town of Ahipara, golden sand dunes and rugged and isolated coastline. This is the perfect location for a quad biking tour. Tours start at the base of Ninety Mile beach and move inland to cross the drifting sand dunes. The tour then continues to a remote and rugged west coast beach before returning to Ahipara. (See Cape Reinga and Quad Tour, below.)
South of Ahipara are the Herekino and Whangape Harbours, the unspoilt Hokianga Harbour and the township of Omapere. Close to Omapere is Tane Mahuta. Named after the Maori god Tane, Tane Mahuta is the largest kauri tree known to exist in New Zealand. Standing an incredible 51.5 metres (169 feet) tall, it is believed to be up to 4000 years old and predates human settlement in this country. It and the surrounding trees represent a stunning piece of ancient New Zealand left from the days when rainforests almost covered the entire land.
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Northland Scenic Flight Routes
Bay of Islands Discovery Tour
NZD $1140
Flight time: 30 minutes. (Distance: 60 nautical miles.)
Discover the rich and diverse beauty of the Bay of Islands from the perspective only possible by air. This tour takes you over the scenery and historical sites in the Bay of Islands region.
Bay of Islands / 'Hole in the Rock' Tour
NZD $1705
Flight Time: 40 minutes. (Distance: 90 nautical miles.)
This tour covers the territory of the Bay of Islands Discovery Tour (see above) and adds a trip to the 'Hole in the Rock' and Cape Brett.
Tane Mahuta Tour Direct
NZD $1895
Flight time: 40 minutes. (20 minutes each way.)
Allow 2 hours for this tour. Go back in time and visit New Zealand's magnificent 'Lord of the Forest.' You will fly tothe depar ture site of the Tane Mahuta tour at Omapere. Your helicopter will return you to the Lodge at the conclusion of the tour.
(Price does not include ground transport to Tane Mahuta at NZD $190 per person.)
Tane Mahuta / Bay of Island Tour
NZD $2275
Flight time: 65 minutes Allow 2 ½ hours for this tour.
After visiting the magnificent Tane Mahuta (see the Tane Mahuta Tour Direct, above), fly across the Bay of Islands to the 'Hole In The Rock' at Cape Brett.
(Price does not include ground transport to Tane Mahuta at NZD $190 per person.)
Tane Mahuta / Ninety Mile Beach Tour
NZD $3225
Flight time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Allow 3 hours for this tour
Combine a trip to Tane Mahuta (see the Tane Mahuta Tour Direct, above) with an extensive scenic helicopter experience of the region north and west of Kauri Cliffs.
(Price does not include ground transport to Tane Mahuta at NZD $190 per person.)
Cape and Tane Mahuta Tour
NZD $4170
Flight time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Allow 4 hours for this tour
An extensive aerial tour of the stunning capes of the Northland region combined with a trip to Tane Mahuta (see the Tane Mahuta Tour Direct, above). This tour takes you along the coastline north of Matauri Bay, including Cape Karikari, before heading to Cape Reinga and Cape Maria van Diemen in the far north. It then tracks the west coast southward until you arrive at Omapere.
(Price does not include ground transport to Tane Mahuta at NZD $190 per person.)
Twin Coast and Cape Reinga Flyover
NZD $3415
Flight time: 1 hour 30 minutes
This tour takes you inland north-west to Rangaunu Harbour before heading to Cape
Reinga and the far north. The return flight south tracks the east coast back to Kauri Cliffs.
NOTE: There is an option to stop (by prior arrangement) on an east coast beach on the way to, or from, Cape Reinga.
Cape Reinga and Quad Tour
NZD $3980
Flight time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Allow 3 ½ hours for this tour
A taste of real kiwi adventure. After an extensive aerial tour of the stunning capes of the Northland region (see the Cape and Tane Mahuta Tour, above), you will explore the golden sand dunes at Ahipara on a quad bike. You will return to the Lodge via the Hikurua Waterfall.
(Price does not include quad biking charge of NZD $150 per person and helicopter landing fee of NZD $50.)
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