Auckland - Kerikeri

Some of New Zealand's earliest history lies in the north and many archaeological and historic sites remain in the region. The scenery is some of the most beautiful in the country and the region enjoys a warm, sunny climate. 1700km of coastline, 144 islands, sandy beaches and secluded bays, make the Bay of Islands a favourite playground for holidaymakers and a centre for big-game fishing.

As the Bay of Islands is exactly that, it makes perfect sense to explore the region by boat. And sailing matches the pace of the place even more perfectly. Whether you launch from Opua, Paihia, Russell or Kerikeri, you're sure to discover the magic of this marine wonderland.

Launch your own, charter a boat, or take a cruise with one of the many operators in the Bay of Islands. Sailing options include half-day, full-day and overnight trips on vessels ranging from traditional gaff-rigged schooners to luxury catamaran yachts. You can choose to help set and trim the sails or simply sit back and enjoy the ride. Take a picnic on board and let the breeze take you away. Don't forget your togs either. There are plenty of opportunities for snorkelling, fishing, diving and swimming around the Bay of Islands.

For those who haven't mastered their sea legs yet, the Department of Conservation has sign-posted walkways on many of the 144 islands in the bay, a great opportunity to stretch your legs and gain a different view of the area.

Ask any Kiwi about the perfect childhood holiday and odds are there's a bach or caravan involved, sunshine, sand, ocean beach (for surfing and fishing), safe swimming spots for the littlies and an estuary (for dragging out the old rowboat, and even more fishing).

Throw in awesome views from just about everywhere; nearby forests for mountain biking; amazing rock-fishing; a cliff-top walkway of note; fresh homemade goodies at an eclectic weekend market – and we've arrived at…Mangawhai, complete with garden bar, superb coffee and great restaurants.

As dawn breaks over this sleepy Northland town, the jagged silhouette of the Hen and Chicken Islands is suffused with a vibrant orange glow. Kayakers slip silently from a boatshed beside the estuary and paddle out, the gentle splash of the paddles lost in the distant crash of surf.

Early morning surfers are already out in force, communing with the ocean in what must rank as one of the country's most picturesque surfing locations. Huge white sand dunes divide the Mangawhai Harbour from the rolling Pacific Ocean. Ocean, sand and forest sweep south in a curve past Te Arai and Pakiri Beach to Cape Rodney.

Spectacular panoramas can be gained on the Mangawhai Cliffs Walkway, a three-hour return hike that begins at the Surf Club car park. Heading off three hours either side of low tide, the walkway ambles along a stretch of isolated beach dotted with hardy surfers and patches of scrub. See it for yourself, only an hour and a half from Auckland!

Calling all foodies, wine connoisseurs, market-goers, diners, gastrotourists and pub-crawlers! Northland's Food and Wine Trail has 74 food and wine stops on a winding tour through the tasty Northland region.

The trail leads through restaurants, cafés, taverns and bistros, markets, roadside stalls, artisan producers and specialty stores, wineries and vineyards. With around 500km of food and wine trail in total, there's a bounty of Northland scenery and activity to experience along the way.

Take your time – and your appetite! You're going to want to try everything and anything on this tastebud tour through the Kumara Capital of the Country, the Fruit Bowl of the North and the many cellar doors popping up along the way.

Try one of the tropical chardonnays, popular pinot gris or vibrant viogniers leading the white wine production in the area. If red's more your taste, sip on a spicy syrah or peppery pinotage, attributed to the almost-Mediterranean climate here.

If you're hungry to sip, dip, munch, crunch and gorge your way through Northland's regional smorgasbord then jump on the Food and Wine Trail now!

This ship of peace that once protested against nuclear-weapons testing has now found another purpose, and a new lease of life in the stunning Cavalli Islands. Lying on the sea floor blanketed with a colourful abundance of marine life, Greenpeace's Rainbow Warrior attracts thousands of exploring divers each year.

She rests at the bottom of the ocean near Matauri Bay, a horseshoe-shaped bay half an hour from Kerikeri. The small camping ground at Matauri Bay is always popular in the summer, and it's a beaut' spot for swimming, fishing and diving. It's also the destination for many a classic Kiwi summer: barbecues on the beach, glowing faces and salty hair.

Kayak around the Cavalli Islands on the hunt for a juicy mussel or cray, or simply lie on the beach. Dive operators take regular dive tours to the Rainbow Warrior wreck, an absolute must for avid scuba divers. If you'd rather pay your respects with your head above water, visit the Rainbow Warrior Memorial, sculpted by Kerikeri local Chris Booth.

Whether you choose to dig your feet into the soft white sand on shore or dive to the depths of the bejewelled blue waters, the sheer number of beaches and bays in Matauri Bay means you can always find one to call your very own.

If you want to know more about Maori and European history in New Zealand, this is where you need to start. It was in Waitangi on 6 February 1840 that the Treaty of Waitangi was first signed between Maori and the British Crown. The treaty established British control over New Zealand or governance (kawanatanga), depending on whether you're reading the English or Maori version. And while neglected for many years, the treaty has played an increasingly important role in recent times.

The Waitangi Treaty Grounds are part of the 506-hectare Waitangi National Trustee estate. A must-see is the Treaty House, which was built in 1832 for the first British resident, James Busby. Across the lawn is the magnificently detailed whare runanga, a beautiful meeting house with intricate carvings, which was completed in 1940 to mark the centenary of the treaty.

The 35-metre waka taua (war canoe) Ngatokimatawhaorua was also built for the centenary and a photographic exhibit details how it was fashioned from gigantic kauri logs. The naval flagpole in the grounds marks the spot where the Crown and Maori chiefs signed the treaty. Entry to the treaty grounds is free for New Zealand residents.

If you're looking for kauri, you've come to the right place. Northland is home to the largest remaining population of kauri trees in all of New Zealand. While that only represents about three percent of what we started with, it's a portion worth protecting.

The Waihoanga Gorge Kauri Walk is a nice example of local landowners working with the Department of Conservation to preserve the delicate ecosystem of these majestic trees and their precious surrounds.

You'll find the track in the Puketi Forest, after crossing a section of private farmland and the Waihoanga Stream. This is the easy part, with views of the gorge showing the Pirau Fault and Waterfall. After the warm-up, the walk gradually winds its way under a diverse range of forest species – puriri, taraire, nikau, and virgin kauri trees – before entering a fine kauri grove

All up, the walk takes only two hours return; plenty of time to get your heart rate up and breathe in the fresh forest air. Just remember, the kauri tree's feeding roots are very shallow, so it's important to tread lightly. Too much foot traffic around the trees shortens their life span!