In the far north of North island, the giant Bay of Islands is peppered with 150 islands which, miraculously, have escaped development. Activities available are plentiful, including dolphin spotting and swimming - the best in North Island, requiring a boat trip out into the beautiful bay - kayaking and diving. Beware, though, tourists come to the mainland in their masses, where there are activities and amusements galore.
Historically significant, the Bay of Islands is where foreign settlers first came and put down roots. It was also venue to the Treaty of Waitangi (1840), which was, in effect, a peace pact between Maoris and newcomers that meant that New Zealand avoided the indignity of official colonisation.
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