Luxury bespoke holidays and tours to The Sanctuary at Bay of Islands
Facts in brief
Location On a hilltop, 20-minutes' walk from the beach and Bay of Island Marina
Annual opening All year
Closest airport Auckland International Airport
Distance from airport The Sanctuary at Bay of Islands is approximately a 3-hour and 45-minute drive from Auckland International Airport
Hotel facilities and services
Restaurant, Infinity pool, Spa including full range of treatments, Terrace, Lounge and Dining room.
Land sports
Yoga.
Out and about nearby
Just a 5-minute drive from the tourist infrastructure of Paihia, The Sanctuary provides a serene location from which to explore the best of the Far North of New Zealand. Here, the highlights of this iconic region are all within a 90-minute drive, and frequently - this is much less.In the Bay of Island's, much of life revolves around the sea. For example, this area was immortalised in Zane Grey's 'The Tales of An Angler's Eldorado', but sports other than fishing are also readily available. Choose from sailing, power boating, kayaking, snorkelling, parasailing and scuba diving. Land lovers will be equally well catered for. From the Rainbow Falls and Puketi Rainforest in Kerikeri to the famous Ninety Mile Beach north of Kaitaia, and on to Cape Reinga with its postcard lighthouse, and its vista of the Tasman Sea meeting the South Pacific Ocean. To humbly suggest that the Northland and Bay of Islands region is beautiful, would be doing a great disservice to the majesty of the landscape. Here, a whole manner of activities are on offer for interested guests. Golfers should head to Waitangi for breath-taking vistas, or to the famous Bay of Islands club in Kerikeri. Explorers may opt for the idyllic Whangaroa Harbour in order to climb the striking St Paul's, or instead take a scenic flight to the Cape. Half an hour's drive from Kerikeri is also Doubtless Bay. Stop here for a world famous Mangonui fish and chip shop which overlooks the bay from a restaurant built on poles resting on the ocean floor. Explorers should also note the popular Northland Wine Trail which will take in the local vineyards that produce medal-winning wines. Be sure to stop in the iconic Fat Pig, Bent Duck, Morepork, and Kapiro vineyards for a true taste of the North Island. Finally, this area is steeped in pre-colonial history, with a number of impressive sites found near to your luxury accommodation. Choose from Stone Store, Kemp House, Waimate Mission House, the Hokianga, Cape Reinga, or instead head to Waitingi Treaty where the covenant declaring the nationhood of New Zealand was signed in 1840.
Absolutely loved it. Bespoke sense of the trip is very good. Very pleasant and efficient service.Mrs H, Sep 2023
Holiday price guide A stay at this hotel is usually part of a tailor-made touring holiday of New Zealand which would include stays at several hotels and a variety of transport arrangements. We calculate the price of each tour on a tailor-made basis and include all arrangements. If you want to book this hotel on its own with flights and transfers as a stand-alone holiday, then please contact us for prices.
From about
Holiday Code EXH5024
The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury bespoke holidays and tours to The Sanctuary at Bay of Islands
Absolutely loved it. Bespoke sense of the trip is very good. Very pleasant and efficient service.Mrs H, Sep 2023
Holiday price guide A stay at this hotel is usually part of a tailor-made touring holiday of New Zealand which would include stays at several hotels and a variety of transport arrangements. We calculate the price of each tour on a tailor-made basis and include all arrangements. If you want to book this hotel on its own with flights and transfers as a stand-alone holiday, then please contact us for prices.
From about
Holiday Code EXH5024
The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury bespoke holidays and tours to The Sanctuary at Bay of Islands
The journey and how you get there
For a holiday to The Sanctuary at Bay of Islands in Port Opua, Expressions Holidays includes flights from London to Auckland with Air New Zealand (flying time is 24 hrs). Auckland is served by a wide variety of international airlines and we can include other airlines in your holiday. The chosen airline will depend upon any stopovers you might want to make en-route to New Zealand. The Sanctuary at Bay of Islands is usually included as part of a tailormade touring itinerary of New Zealand and you can reach the hotel by hire-car.
Additional information
Children: The Sanctuary at Bay of Islands Mahu Whenua welcomes children of any age.
Absolutely loved it. Bespoke sense of the trip is very good. Very pleasant and efficient service.Mrs H, Sep 2023
Holiday price guide A stay at this hotel is usually part of a tailor-made touring holiday of New Zealand which would include stays at several hotels and a variety of transport arrangements. We calculate the price of each tour on a tailor-made basis and include all arrangements. If you want to book this hotel on its own with flights and transfers as a stand-alone holiday, then please contact us for prices.
From about
Holiday Code EXH5024
The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury bespoke holidays and tours to The Sanctuary at Bay of Islands
About Northland and Bay of Islands
An Expressions tailor-made holiday to Northland and the Bay of Islands is an opportunity to explre a region of rich pastures, rolling farmland, forests of gigantic kauri trees that can be up to 2000 years old, lush fern filled valleys, cliffs, bays, inlets and miles of sandy beaches and a scattering of islands offshore. From Auckland to the very northern tip of the country, Northland stretches between the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea in a splendour of outstanding natural beauty and sites of historic significance. The climate is sub-tropical, and a diversity of plants thrive; from silver fern to vines, from the pohutukawa tree with its crimson flowers to manuka, plus an array of fruit and vegetables including avocadoes, figs and oranges. In addition to the beautiful scenery and welcoming climate, Northland has numerous sites of historic significance as the region where Europeans and Maoris first came into contact. Russell, Pahia, Waitangi and Kerikeri are all interesting places to visit. Local arts and crafts including plaited flaxen baskets, carved wood and greenstone and pottery flourish in the region. The area is strong on leisure activities, many associated with the water such as fishing, kayaking, diving and sailing but also scenic flights, horse trekking and tramping.
Highlights of Northland and the Bay of Islands
If a diver, dive the Rainbow Warrier site or in the marine reserve at Poor Knights Island, Take the car ferry from Opua to Okiato and drive to Russell, Drive along the stunning coast from Whangaroa to Matauri Bay passing the Cavalli Islands offshore, Swim with dolphins in the Bay of Islands, Walk and tramp through the Bay of Islands Maritime and Historic Park, Visit the Waitangi National Reserve with the Treaty House and Maori war canoe.
