Transport

Transport

You're already in New Zealand and considering the best way to reach the Bay of Islands...? By road or by air, we list the options and offer a few bits of advice too to help smooth your journey.

ROAD

By road, the Bay of Islands is about 3hrs north of Auckland on State Highway 1 which runs into State Highway 11 at Kawakawa - follow the signs to the Bay of Islands and Twin Coast Discovery Highway.

Car rental companies include:
- Rent-a-Dent  0800 73 68 23
- Go Birdz 0800 402 722 (or 402 8309 in Paihia)
- Avis Rent-A-Car 09 401 6538
- Hertz Car Rental  0800 654 321
- Budget Car and Truck Rental  09 407 147
- Bay of islands Rentals 09 407 7783
- Spenser Rental Cars 09 407 7349  in Kerikeri

Campervan rental companies include:  
Go Birdz – 2 Berth Campers  0800 402 722.  There are many camper van rental companies available in Auckland, such as Stray's Spaceships, or try Wicked Campers and Escape rentals.

Please note: Freedom camping is a popular way to travel around New Zealand and we encourage you to enjoy this independent way of getting around. We do ask that you abide by the code of freedom campers and respect the restrictions in our small towns. Check out www.camping.org.nz to learn the rules of the road. Thank you!
 

BUS

There are a number of bus options to travel from Auckland to Paihia (listed below) or you can book direct here:

Auckland to Paihia bus times:

GreatSights
Departs Auckland 7.30am, arrives Paihia at 1.30pm
Intercity
Departs Auckland 8.00am, arrives Paihia at 12.10pm
Northliner
Departs Auckland 10.30am, arrives Paihia 2.19pm (does not operate Saturday)
Departs Auckland 1.00pm, arrives Paihia 5.15pm (does not operate Friday)
Departs Auckland 4.00pm, arrives Paihia 7.44pm
Departs Auckland 6.00pm, arrives Paihia 9.49pm (Friday only) 
Naked Bus
Departs Auckland at 8.10, 11.45 and 5.30. Arrives Paihia 1.55, 3.25 and 9.05pm respectively. 

Paihia to Auckland bus times:

GreatSights
Departs Paihia 4.30pm , arrives Auckland 8.10pm
Northliner
Departs Paihia 8.00am, arrives Auckland 12.00pm
Departs Paihia 10.15am, arrives Auckland 2.40pm     
Departs Paihia 4.10pm, arrives Auckland 7.55pm (does not operate Saturday)
Intercity
Departs Paihia at 1.50pm, arrives Auckland 6.00pm
Naked Bus
Leaves Paihia at 08.15, 13.40 and 17.00, arriving Auckland 12.00, 17.20 and 20.30 respectively.
 


AIR

For flights within New Zealand check out Air New Zealand (Bay of Islands Airport, Kerikeri)

Local operators, Salt Air, provide a great service between Kerikeri, Whangarei and Auckland.

Airports

The Far North is a 35-minute flight from Auckland. Air New Zealand operates domestic flights into two Far North airports at Kerikeri in the Bay of Islands and Kaitaia. 

Kaikohe Airport having a grass runway is solely recreational (aviation).  Current operators include a gliding club and commercial skydiving operation.

Kaitaia Airport has two Air New Zealand link flights per day and has a longer runway than that at Bay of Islands. This airport is managed and operated by Far North Holdings Ltd. for the Far North District Council.

Bay of Islands and Kaitaia airports are only manned half an hour before and after each flight. For detailed flight information call Air New Zealand on 0800 737000 or your nearest travel agent.
 


TAXIS

Once in the Bay of Islands there are good taxi services including:

- Haruru Falls Cabs 09 402 6292
- Dial A Ride 0508 342 527
- ABC Shuttle 022 025 0800

Don't forget the Tuktuk to travel around Paihia: 027  486 6071