Biking Tour

Today you will be picked up at at the Salt Air helicopter pad in Marsden Road Pahia. You will be helicoptered out and will land on the shipe early morning. Then we’ll up anchor and cruise to the sub-tropical Cavalli Islands.

Cavilla Islands: The Cavalli group consists of the island of Motukawanui and a number of smaller islets.Motukawanui has around 70 archaeological sites, including 14 pa and 36 pit and terrace complexes. It’s cared for by the New Zealand Department of Conservation, who have been replanting native forest and introducing rare birds - the North Island brown kiwi is doing well here.

The walking track (optional) on the island takes around two hours to complete. It follows the ridge tops, delivering outstanding views of Mahinepua Peninsula and Matauri Bay.

Rangihoua Bay on the mainland is our next destination. At Oihi in the bay, the Marsden Cross stands lonely above the sandy beach. It commemorates the site of New Zealand’s first European settlement, as well as Samuel Marsden’s first sermon on Christmas Day in 1814. From this anchorage, our tenders can take you to see Kerikeri’s historic Stone Store and Mission House.

The Stone Store: Constructed from 1832 to 1836 as a store house for the mission, the Stone Store is New Zealand’s oldest surviving stone building. Its walls are made of basalt lava from the bed of the Kerikeri River; the arches, quoins and keystones were made of imported Sydney sandstone, which was much easier to shape than Kerikeri basalt. After the mission's closure in 1848, the store was leased to a succession of retailers.

The Mission House: Also known as Kemp House, the Mission House is the oldest wooden structure in New Zealand. Like the Stone Store, it’s administered by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust. The house was built in 1821 by the Church Missionary Society for the Reverend John Butler.

Rewa’s Village: This replica Maori village was constructed opposite the Stone Store in 1969. It represents a kainga (fishing village) from pre-European times. The village is named after Ngapuhi chief Rewa, who was one of three chiefly brothers who lived here in the 1830s.

On the final day of our Bay of Islands expedition, we’ll cruise past the Black Rocks on the way back to Opua viewing the remains of a basalt lava flow. These rocks are around 1.2 million years old. Expect to disembark at Opua Wharf around 12.30 pm. Transfers can be arranged to take you to Pahia or Kerikeri Airport

Please take the time to view our “Virtual Tour” for the 3 Day Cavalli Island Cruise or download/print the detailed “Tour Dossier”. Both can be found on the right hand column of this page. Alternatively you can simply contact us. For a comprehensive list of all activities available in each location featured in this tour, please refer to the "Destination Guide" found at the top of this page.