Bay of Islands private tour: Waterfalls, wine, chocolate

Four hours through Northland's oldest buildings, a 27-metre waterfall, local wines and handcrafted chocolate

A private Bay of Islands tour from Paihia takes you to Rainbow Falls, the Stone Store and Kemp House (New Zealand's oldest surviving buildings), a local vineyard tasting and the Makana Chocolate Factory, all in a luxury Porsche Cayenne with a live English-speaking guide. Entry to Stone Store and Kemp House, a flight of local wine, chilled water and premium transport are included. The tour runs 4 to 4.5 hours and guarantees return to your cruise ship on time. Only one private party departs each day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Stone Store1h 30m · entry included
2. Kerikeri1h · entry included

Explore Bay of Islands highlights

• Walk to Rainbow Falls
• Visit Kerikeri Historic Precinct
• Wine tasting at Marsden Estate
• Chocolate tasting at Makana Factory

The experience

How do you fit the best of the Bay of Islands into a single port call without missing your ship?

You start at Rainbow Falls, a short walk through native forest to a 27-metre waterfall that frames itself for photographs. From there, the guide takes you to Kerikeri Historic Precinct, where Kemp House (1822) and the Stone Store (1836) sit as New Zealand's oldest surviving buildings: no crowds, no queues, just the two structures standing where they have stood for nearly two centuries. Entry to both is included, and the guide walks you through the rooms and the stories they hold.

Next is a private tasting at Marsden Estate or another local vineyard of equal standing, where you taste a flight of wines while looking out over rolling vineyards and a lake. The final stop is Makana Confections, where you watch chocolatiers hand-craft treats behind glass, then taste their work yourself. Most guests leave with a box or three to take back aboard. The Porsche Cayenne handles the route between stops, and chilled water is on hand throughout the day. The tour is built to return you to your tender on time: that guarantee is what makes a port-day itinerary possible.

What’s included

• Entry to Stone Store and Kemp House.
• a flight of local wine at a private vineyard tasting.
• chocolate tasting at Makana Confections.
• chilled water throughout the day.
• luxury Porsche Cayenne transport.
• a live English-speaking guide.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Under 18: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by Distinctly New Zealand

Is this one for you?The pace is relaxed (a short walk to the waterfall, time inside each historic building, and unhurried tastings at the vineyard and chocolate factory), so you move through the day without rushing, yet still return to your ship with time to spare.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What is Rainbow Falls like when you get there?

Rainbow Falls (Wharepuke Falls) is a 27-metre waterfall set inside native forest, reached by a short, easy walk. It is one of the most photographed spots in Northland and frames itself naturally for pictures.

Can you actually go inside the Stone Store and Kemp House?

Yes. Both buildings are included in the tour, and you step inside as part of the itinerary. Kemp House dates to 1822 and the Stone Store to 1836. They are New Zealand's oldest surviving buildings and the guide shows you through both.

What kind of wine do you taste at the vineyard?

You taste a flight of local wines at Marsden Estate or an equally superb local vineyard, tasting several varieties while overlooking the vineyards and a lake. The tasting is private to your group.

Do you get to taste the chocolate or just watch?

You watch the master chocolatiers hand-craft treats behind glass, then taste their chocolate yourself. Most guests buy a box or more to take back to the ship. They are world-class and travel well.

Will the tour get you back to your cruise ship on time?

Yes. The tour guarantees an on-time return to your cruise tender. The 4 to 4.5 hour itinerary is built around your ship's schedule, and only one private party departs each day, so the timing is locked in.