√ Are you interested in New Zealand? √ Do you want to know more than guide books tell you?
√ Do you want to ask questions and get the big picture?
√ Or are you interested in the detailed side of things?
√ Do you want to learn what makes Whangarei unique?
Whangarei in Northland is a unique place and we offer small scale personal eco-tours with a maximum of flexibility
* for a reasonable price (from 36 NZD )
* from a central location with free pickup
* with a maximum of 6 people per tour
* for a flexible length of time
* with your chosen tour focus and destination
* in English or in German
* with an experienced and funny tour leader
We will pass on our local knowledge to our visitors. If your time is short or if you are not able to research with books and magazines but instead want to talk to real people, then a short tour is just the thing: it will give you plenty to see and talk about in a very short time!
We will try to answer your questions about New Zealand, relax and enjoy your holiday and leave the organising to us - trust Wendy to make your day!
Whangarei's secrets are not well known - let us show you what others are missing.
1. We design our tours not with any existing example in mind - we try to get you the best experience from this beautiful region we live in and shape our tours according to your interests.
2. We don't bore you with numbers and dates and names and lists, it's the core message that counts.
3. The tour guide is our best asset of all - Wendy is an experienced tour leader and will not only talk but also listen to you, she also like to have a laugh (you have been warned).
4. Get one of our overnight packages and stay as our guests, you will sleep next to a scenic reserve and we'll be glad to help you plan your trip.
The Basic Tour is always the same. You can further choose from a growing number of Tour Selections to give your tour a personal focus.
Our guided tours are not adrenaline-packed or luxurious, but cater to travellers like ourselves who want to learn, discuss and ask questions about the unique aspects of the country they are visiting.
What you will see:
You will see trees, animals and people with a different focus, the green blur of NZ will take shape and become distinguishable.
What you will learn:
Not the latin names of things but what’s funny, crazy or unique to NZ nature and culture from a traveller’s point of view.
What you can keep:
Hopefully good memories of a funny and interesting trip into nature and a handout to show around at home.
Basic Tour:
* Introduction to Whangarei and surrounds in a scenic spot
* One of the Tour Selections below (1-5)
* Some fun with Flax Weaving
* Surprise Tea in a local house
* We'll also make sure you won't leave empty-handed
The Tour Selections are:
1. Maori Pa Site explanation tour
2. Kauri trees and forest walk tour
3. Whangarei Falls and forest walk tour
4. Kiwi day at the Beach tour
5. BBQ at the Harbour (only pre-booked a day in advance)
6. Hiking dropoffs
Wendy will take you on a bush walk to one of three historic Maori Pa sites (fortresses) - which one depends on your choice of other selections. Visiting these rare sites with sometimes up to 100 Kumara storage pits and vantage points creates an appropiate background to tell you about where Maori come from, what their values and customs are and how they fare in today’s contemporary society. To visit New Zealand without learning about the ‘Tikanga Maori’ (the Maori way) would be like going to a dinner invitation without meeting the hosts.
At one of the Pa sites you can go walkabout and Wendy will pick you up at the other end of the forest, the tracks are good and well signposted.
Another of the Pa sites can be combined with a beach walk tour.
Approximate duration: 1 hour.
Price 20 NZD per person (10 NZD surcharge for single visitors)
Listen to Wendy sharing her knowledge about New Zealand plants and ecological insights while you stroll through a native forest, maybe you’ll spot a stick insect or a fantail on the way. Highlights are two approximately 500 year old Kauri trees and a tree canopy walk. If you’ve seen this specific forest before Wendy can take you to alternative places.
If you like you can go walkabout and Wendy will pick you up at the other end of the forest, the tracks are good and well signposted.
Approximate duration: 45 minutes.
Price 20 NZD per person (10 NZD surcharge for single visitors)
Whangarei Falls and forest walk
Have a look at the scenic highlight no 1 in this region, the 26m high Whangarei Falls. Go on a loop track, listen to the significance of this river to Maori and learn about the flora and fauna on the way.
If you like you can follow the beautiful river track and Wendy will pick you up half an hour later, the track is good and well signposted.
Approximate duration of the tour: 45 minutes.
Price 20 NZD per person (10 NZD surcharge for single visitors)
Pick a beach of your choice and go rockpooling with the help of Wendy’s explanations, go for a fantastic walk along the coast or just enjoy some swimming and boogieboarding. Take a picnic and play cricket or rugby, or stop for yummy ‘shark & tatties’. There is surely a great spot that exactly fits your taste.
One of the beach walks can be combined with a Maori Pa site tour.
Approximate duration: 2-3 hours.
Price 35 NZD per person (15 NZD surcharge for single visitors)
After the tour, why not let Wendy organise a kiwi barbecue next to the yacht harbour to finish the experience and continue the discussion?
Subject to good weather and availability. Only pre-booked a day in advance.
Approximate duration: 1-2 hours.
Price 25 NZD per person (10 NZD surcharge for single visitors)
We know a number of great walks in the region that are one way tracks and we’re happy to help you experience them, ideally after one of our tours. For example you can walk the length of the Hatea river, cross the whole of Coronation Reserve or walk other great tracks otherwise not accessible with only one vehicle.
Subject to availability.
Price 25 NZD per dropoff or pickup, for a maximum of 6 people.
The short tour (2h):
Group Tour including one selection*, per person: 40$
Short Tour including one selection*, for single travellers: 60$
*Select either: 1) Maori Pa Site Tour or 2) Kauri Trees Tour or 3) Whangarei Falls Tour
Extend your short tour with the following tour selections, per person**:
1) Maori Pa Site explanation tour (1h) 20$
2) Kauri Trees and forest walk tour (45min) 20$
3) Whangarei Falls and forest walk tour (45min) 20$
4) Kiwi day at the Beach tour (3-4h) 35$
5) BBQ at the Harbour (1-2h) 25$
(only pre-booked a day in advance)
Hiking dropoffs and pickups 25$
(per dropoff or pickup, for a maximum of 6 people)
**10$ surcharge for single travellers
Included in our prices are:
* Pickup and drop-off from Whangarei
* Introductory presentation
* Special gear if needed
* Comfortable air conditioned transport
* Drinking water
* Fun with Flax
* Surprise Tea
We accept Visa and Mastercard but cash is preferable.
Maximum 6 people on tour!
On a group tour the choice of Tour Selections will be made by the first booking.
10% discount off your tour price when you stay at our own modern & central Bed and Breakfast: www.whangareiviews.co.nz
For contact and bookings please use the form on our website: www.whangareitours.co.nz/index.php/Contact-and-booking/
German blog page: http://whangareitours.blog.de/
B&B blog in English: http://whangareiviews.blogspot.com/
B&B blog in German: http://whangareiviews.blog.de/
B&B blog in French: http://www.whangarei-views.blog.fr/
