5 Mar 2010

Queen Mary II arrives in Bay of Islands

11:56 am on 5 March 2010

The biggest cruise ship to visit Northland is in the Bay of Islands - bringing a tourist bonanza.

The Queen Mary II arrived off Paihia on Friday morning carrying 4000 passengers and crew.

More than 800 passengers are booked on bus and boat tours, and the rest are in Paihia, Waitangi, and Russell for the day.

The 345 metre ocean liner is one of the world's largest.

Tourist operators say the best spot from which to view the Queen Mary is the flagstaff at the Waitangi Treaty grounds.

The ship leaves the Bay of Islands at 5pm.