Getting to Paihia

There are several ways to get to Northland, with the most popular options being driving, taking a bus, or flying. Most visitors travel from Auckland, but flights are also available from other major New Zealand cities.

Driving

Driving is the fastest and most flexible option for getting to Northland.

• From Auckland: The journey to Whangārei, Northland's main city, takes less than two hours by car. The trip to Paihia in Peowhairangi Bay of Islands takes approximately three hours.
• Rental cars: Numerous rental car and campervan companies operate in New Zealand, making self-driving a convenient choice for exploring the region's off-the-beaten-path destinations.
• Road trip itineraries: Consider taking the scenic 'Twin Coast Discovery Highway', which offers routes through both the East Coast and Kauri Coast.

Flying

Flying is the quickest option for traveling long distances within New Zealand, and connecting from Australia and other overseas destinations.

• Domestic airports: Northland has three domestic airports, with Kerikeri being the closest to Peowhairangi Bay of Islands:
• Whangārei Airport (WRE)
• Bay of Islands Airport in Kerikeri (KKE)
• Kaitaia Airport (KAT)
• Airlines: Air New Zealand is the main airline operating flights to these airports from Auckland and other New Zealand hubs.
• Flight times:
• Auckland to Whangārei: A direct flight takes about 40 minutes.
• Auckland to Kerikeri: A direct flight takes about 50 minutes.

Bus and coach

For budget-friendly travel, the bus network and InterCity buses provide reliable and scenic journeys throughout Northland.

Getting to New Zealand

Direct flights from airlines such as Qantas and Jetstar are available from major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast to Auckland International Airport (AKL). Flight times range from approximately three to three and a half hours. Australian citizens will not need a visa, but non-Australian citizens should check if an NZeTA is required.