Glow Worm Cave & Puketi Kauri Forest

Discover natural wonders, including a cavern filled with glowworms and a forest of mighty Kauri trees that can live 2,000 years and soar more than 150 feet into the air. A short drive brings you to the Kawiti Caves, a wonderland of caverns owned by the descendants of the Maori chieftain Kawiti. While the caves' stalagmites and stalactites are breathtaking, the true highlight is the display of thousands of glowworms illuminating the ceiling from a distance. You'll also notice their unusual, single-string webs hanging from the ceiling to trap small flying insects.

Dive to nearby Kawakawa, New Zealand's only town with a railroad track running down the main street and known for its whimsical public restrooms, designed by an Austrian artist in 1998. They feature cobblestone floors, colorful mosaics and copper handiwork. You’ll have some free time here.

You’ll visit Puketi Forest, which once covered most of the Bay of Islands. Walking along the boardwalk through the now-protected forest reserve, you'll see a number of impressive Kauri trees, a towering species that rivals California's redwoods in height and girth. The boardwalk allows visitors an up-close look at these magnificent trees while protecting their sensitive roots. Heading back to the pier, you'll travel through historical Kerikeri for a photo-stop opposite the Kemp House, New Zealand's oldest building, and the Stone Store, which was constructed in the 1830s.