Bay & Cape

START: AUCKLAND

FINISH: AUCKLAND

Cruise into paradise with the Bay & Cape Bus Pass, your return ticket from Auckland to Paihia. Explore 144 islands, golden beaches, and the historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Sail to the Hole in the Rock, swim with dolphins, or hike lush coastal trails. Enjoy a day trip to Cape Reinga and explore New Zealand’s northernmost point.  Enjoy hop-on-hop-off freedom with a minimum travel time of just two days.  Whether you're chasing thrills or chill vibes, the Bay of Islands delivers. 

What Is Included

  • Start & Finish in Auckland
  • Minimum of 3 days of travel*
  • Legendary Local Driver Guides

The Extra Bits 

  • Unlimited travel date changes with no fees 
  • Pre-book and pay for accommodation & activities online via our Trip Planner 
  • The minimum* time is the shortest amount of time you can complete this pass by travelling our standard itinerary and not hopping off the bus. (This minimum time does slightly vary based on seasonality)
  • There are limited departures available in June, July & August due to our winter schedule
  • *Your pass is valid for 12 months from the date when you first travel or until you have travelled once over all sections of your purchased travel pass, whichever comes first

To view our current bus timetables, please click here

Read more

Minimum Days

  • 3 Minimum Travel Days*

Start/Finish

  • Auckland/Auckland

Accommodation

  • 4-6 Bed Hostel Dorms - Not Included, Book Via Our Trip Planner After Purchasing Your Pass

Transport

  • Kiwi Experience Coach and a Local Kiwi Experience Driver Guide

12 Month Pass Validity

Travel on your pass for 12 months* 

PRICENZ

$309

*

MAP

ITINERARY

Auckland to Paihia

Palm Tree Lodge (or similar) - Not Included - Book Via The Trip Planner

Time to greet the day and begin your adventure! Depart vibrant Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) in the early morning and make your way north toward picturesque Paihia. On the way, enjoy a breakfast stop in Warkworth before heading to Whangārei Falls, for a stretch of the legs and a breath of fresh air. By midday, you'll arrive in the Bay of Islands, a subtropical gem brimming with history and natural splendour. 

This breathtaking region features 144 stunning islands, pristine beaches, and a legacy woven deep into Aotearoa’s past. Be sure to visit Waitangi, the legendary site where the nation’s story began. If you are more of a water lover, the options for adventure are endless. Set off on a cruise to the iconic Hole in the Rock and uncover secret coves and island hideaways. Keep a lookout for the marine life dancing beneath the waves. Prefer a more hands-on thrill? Try your hand at sailing, fishing, diving, or parasailing. Or just kick back, dig your toes into golden sands, and soak up the serenity.

Cape Reinga day trip

Palm Tree Lodge (or similar) - Not Included - Book Via The Trip Planner

Today, venture north to Cape Reinga the northernmost point of mainland New Zealand and a place steeped in Māori spirituality and natural beauty. Along the way, enjoy several stops that offer glimpses into the legends, history, and untouched landscapes of the Far North. Your guide doubles as a storyteller, sharing the powerful tale of the cape as a sacred departure point where, according to Māori tradition, spirits begin their journey to Hawaiki.

Once at the top, take in sweeping vistas from the iconic Cape Reinga Lighthouse, and marvel at the clash of oceans, the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Another highlight is the drive along Ninety Mile Beach, where your custom-built coach cruises the coastline beside crashing waves. Conditions permitting, you can feel the sand between your toes and even try your hand at digging for shellfish with the help of your guide. Then, it's off-road and upward as your driver navigates Te Paki Stream towards towering sand dunes. For those feeling adventurous, scaling the dunes offers a thrill and a view worth the climb.

Paihia to Auckland

LyLo (or similar) - Not Included - Book Via The Trip Planner

After a leisurely morning in Paihia, leaving in the early afternoon opens up a world of options in Auckland. Whether you’re in the mood to explore, unwind, or dive into something more adventurous, the city has plenty waiting if you feel like chasing it. From island escapes to cultural discoveries or even just soaking in the skyline, the rest of the day is yours to play with—no pressure, just potential.