A short tour of the North Island, travelling from the capital city, Wellington, on to Rotorua. Here you can stay and see the thermal pools. Then it's on to Auckland, via the Waitomo Caves. A great way to travel through the North Island. 
Tour Duration: 5 Days
Tour Type: Group coach tour
Tour price per person:
01 Oct 10 - 30 Apr 11 NZ$1079
Optional extras (per person) |
|
| Breakfast (2) Supplement | NZ$82 |
| Dinner (2) Supplement | NZ$72 |
| Single Room Supplement | NZ$363 |
Day 1 – Arrive Wellington
You will be met at Wellington Airport and transferred to your accommodation.
Accommodation: Bay Plaza Hotel Wellington (1 night)
Day 2 – Wellington/Taupo/Rotorua
Your tour departs from the Bay Plaza Hotel,
40 Oriental Parade, Wellington at 7.45am. Drive
to Paekakariki with views of Kapiti Island and
on a clear day, the South Island. Cross the
Himitangi Plains, through the towns of Levin
and Foxton to Bulls. Across rolling farmland to
the central North Island National Park,
dominated by the volcanic cone of Mt Ruapehu.
Follow the Desert Road to Lake Taupo, New
Zealand’s largest lake and famous for trout
fishing. Stop at Huka Falls skirting massive
pine forests to reach Rotorua, centre of Maori
culture.
Accommodation: Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua (2 nights)
A sightseeing tour visits the Agrodome for a display featuring New Zealand’s various sheep breeds with a shearing demonstration. See pools of brown and rainbow trout at Rainbow Springs Park and even native birds including the Kiwi. Visit Whakarewarewa, the Maori Arts and Crafts Centre and Thermal Reserve, with boiling mud, silica terraces and Pohutu Geyser. The spectacular Skyline Gondola offers superb views over city, lake and mountains and for a little excitement, try a Luge ride with our compliments. Time for optional activities this afternoon before a Maori hangi (meal) with selection of traditionally prepared meats and vegetables plus conventional dishes, followed by a concert featuring Maori songs, chants and the stirring haka.
Day 4 – Rotorua/Waitomo/Auckland
Cross the Mamaku Ranges to the Waikato
region, noted for dairy farming and world
famous horse studs. At Waitomo, a guide will
escort your group underground to the limestone
caverns and glow-worm grotto. On through
Hamilton to Ngaruawahia, centre for the
region’s Maori people, then alongside the
Waikato River before crossing the Bombay Hills
to reach New Zealand’s largest city – Auckland.
A city tour will visit the summit of Skytower,
at 328m the tallest building in the Southern
Hemisphere, for superb city and harbour views,
the down town area and waterfront drive.
Accommodation: Rydges Hotel Auckland (1 night)
It is farewell to your travelling companions. A transfer to Auckland Airport is included in the tour price if required.
- Sightseeing where indicated in cities and resorts
- Wellington the Capital City
- Volcanic and Geothermal Region
- Sheep shearing and working dog demonstration
- Authentic Maori Hangi and Concert
- Rotorua’s Thermal Wonderland
- Waitomo Glowworm Caves
- Agrodome
- Rainbow Springs and Kiwi House
- Te Puia Thermal Reserve
- Skyline Gondola and Luge ride
- Auckland’s Skytower