Getting to Northland & the Bay of Islands

Northland and the Bay of Islands are located in the north of New Zealand's North Island. The main township of the Bay of Islands, Paihia, is around 240kms north of Auckland. Cape Reinga (at the very top of Northland) is approximately 440km north of Auckland.

BY ROAD:

AUCKLAND TO WHANGAREI: Follow the Northern Motorway over the Auckland Harbour Bridge and out of the city. Follow the Northern Motorway for approximately 35kms. At Grand Drive, turn right and follow the road eastwards to the Hibiscus Coast Highway. Continue along the Hibiscus Highway (which becomes State Highway 1) for roughly 125 kms.

Driving time: 2 hours 20 minutes

AUCKLAND TO PAIHIA: Follow the Northern Motorway over the Auckland Harbour Bridge and out of the city. Continue along the Northern Motorway for approximately 35kms. At Grand Drive turn right and follow the Hibisbus Coast Highway and State Highway 1 for roughly 125 kms, to Whangarei. Continue north 55kms on State Highway 1 to Kawakawa. At Kawakawa follow State Highway 11 for 16kms.

Driving time: 3 hours 25 minutes

AUCKLAND TO DARGAVILLE: Follow the Northern Motorway over the Auckland Harbour Bridge and out of the city. Continue along the Northern Motorway for approximately 35kms. At Grand Drive turn right and follow the Hibiscus Coast Highway and State Highway 1 approximately 73kms. At State Highway 12 turn left and follow for approximately 70 kms.

Driving time: 2 hours 35 mins

AUCKLAND TO CAPE REINGA: Follow the Northern Motorway over the Auckland Harbour Bridge and out of the city. Follow the Northern Motorway for approximately 35kms. At Grand Drive, turn right and follow the road eastwards to the Hibiscus Coast Highway. Continue along the Hibiscus Highway (which becomes State Highway 1) for roughly 125 kms to Whangarei. From Whangarei head North on State Highway 1 for 300kms, passing through Kawakawa, Kaitaia and Te Kao.

Driving Time: 5 hours 50 minutes

BY COACH:Coach services in Northland and the Bay of Islands include Great Sights, Intercity Coachlines, Magic Travellers Network, Northliner Express and Kaipara Tours.

BY AIR: Auckland International Airport is the main international hub when travelling to Northland and the Bay of Islands. Air New Zealand operates daily domestic scheduled flights to Whangarei, Kaitaia and Kerikeri Airports. Charter flights are operated by Salt Air Bay of Islands, Air National, Skywork Helicopters, Mountain Air and Skylink Air Charters.