9 Day - All North Island
If you want to see and experience the North Island then this is the trip for you - from the Bay of Islands, beaches, Maori culture, volcanoes, New Zealand's capital city - it's got it all.
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| ALL NORTH ISLAND | |
| TOUR CODE: ANI9 HIGHLIGHTS :: Giant kauri trees /Early settlement history /Goat Island / scenic boat trip :: Cathedral Cove walk and Hot Water Beach (natural geothermal pools) / Access to caving in Waitomo :: Traditional Maori hangi meal and cultural experience with free geothermal park and bubbling mud :: Tongariro Crossing / Time to see Te Papa our National Museum ITINERARY DAY 1 :: AUCKLAND TO PAIHIA We head north from Auckland over the harbour bridge and on to a forest reserve for some giant ‘kauri’ trees and to learn about the early European settlement of New Zealand. We then take a back road to the Goat Island Marine Reserve for a walk and to look at the amazing array of marine life, which you can see from the rocks or get in amongst and snorkel. It’s then back to the main road and with a stop at the Native Bird Recovery Centre to meet and learn about New Zealand’s amazing birdlife on our way to Paihia (Wednesday departure only). We stay 100 metres from the main beach at a lodge in the middle of Paihia for both nights. You may choose to go to the optional cultural show tonight or simply visit the town (D). DAY 2 :: DAY IN PAIHIA WITH OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES Today you can choose a day of exploring the Paihia area. There are great nearby beaches, or you can walk to the historic Waitangi Treaty grounds. Here you will see Maori artefacts and learn more local history. Alternatively you may hike to the Haruru falls nature reserve. For those more adventurous, you will have the option of a recommended adventure bus trip to the Northern tip of New Zealand visiting Cape Reinga, including a section where the beach is the road. You will go to where the two oceans meet and Maori Spirits leave the land. Step on the top of New Zealand; see huge sand dunes and generally beautiful remote scenery. You arrive back late afternoon to the comfort of your lodge (No meals). DAY 3 :: PAIHIA TO AUCKLAND In the morning there is time to relax or visit Russell and/or the Treaty Grounds if you haven't already. In the afternoon we have a boat trip, which travels through the Bay of Islands taking in many of the 144 islands and the chance to see dolphins and whales. We depart at 4.30pm to arrive back at Auckland around 8.00pm (No meals). DAY 4 :: AUCKLAND TO HAHEI (COROMANDEL) We head south through the ‘Waikato’ and some of the world’s best dairy farmland before crossing over a small mountain range and dropping down into the ‘Coromandel region’. We head to our remote beach area to hike to the stunning Cathedral Cove, explore Stingray Bay and have a chance to bathe in the natural hot pools of Hot Water Beach (tide dependent). We stay in our exclusive campsite at the beach and enjoy a BBQ. Quad share cabins only (D). DAY 5 :: HAHEI TO ROTORUA Travelling along the stunning Coromandel Coast and passing through many idyllic beach towns, we stop for |
some great walks along the way. These
may include Whangamata Beach, the Mt Paku Trig Walk, Bowen Town Heads,
and Mt Manganui coastal hike. We then head to our unique Maori cultural
stop at “Uncle Boys”. We enjoy a hangi meal and a concert with the local Maori, have a chance to learn the Haka for men and the Poi for women. This is a truly different experience and a great photo opportunity. From here we make the small trip to Rotorua to our accommodation for the evening. (B, D). DAY 6 :: ROTORUA TO WAITOMO This morning we explore the Rotorua area, visiting stunning lakes, geothermal areas and hiking through Redwood forest. For those after some other adventure you have options of doing a skydive, going white water rafting, or simply wandering around and seeing some of NZ’s most tacky souvenirs. We then take the back road to New Zealand’s premier caving destination where you get a chance to take in the local farming culture and countryside. We do a walk where you can see the famous glow worms and give you options to do some amazing caving activities (D). DAY 7 :: WAITOMO TO NATIONAL PARK An early start this morning as we head further south to the Central Plateau and the volcanoes of Tongariro National Park. Today you get a chance to hike the Tongariro Crossing, which is highly regarded as New Zealand’s best one-day walk. For those less active there will be shorter walks and a visit to the Department of Conservation (DOC) volcanic centre. If the weather is unfavourable we have great options which include the smaller walks and the volcanic centre but also a visit to Lake Taupo and an option of swimming in geothermal pools. Tonight’s accommodation is at our exclusive lodge ‘The Park’ (B, D). DAY 8 :: NATIONAL PARK TO WELLINGTON Following the great day we have had in National Park we head to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city. We have the afternoon to explore “Te Papa”, NZ’s national museum and strongly recommend the walk along Oriental Parade’ and/or up Mt Victoria to get the best view of the city. We stay in central Wellington accommodation tonight (B). DAY 9 :: WELLINGTON TO AUCKLAND For those of you not continuing with us onto the South Island, we will head back to Auckland via Lake Taupo. Today is a long day’s driving through picturesque New Zealand scenery, broken up with a walk and lunch in the Taupo region (B). BRING Walking shoes, swimming gear, hat and sunscreen, motion sickness tablets, water bottle, towel and toiletries, warm clothing and waterproof jacket, insect repellent, camera. INCLUDED Experienced tour guide, accommodation transfers, accommodation, snorkelling gear for the marine reserve (summer only), entry into the Wildlife recovery centre, boat trip spotting dolphins and other marine life. NOTE The night in the Coromandel has quad share accommodation only. |
| 9 DAYS |
| Adult (quad share) $1030 Child $875  ACCOMMODATION UPGRADE! Twin/Double $240 pp DEPARTS Nov 09 - Mar 10 SAT WED Apr 10 - Oct 10 SAT Nov 10 - Mar 11 SAT WED SHORTER VERSIONS OF THIS TOUR ALSO AVAILABLE Click here to visit the 3 Day Tour Click here to visit the 6 Day Tour FINISHES Auckland 5pm MAX PEOPLE - 24 Valid till 31 March 2011. |
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Hikes up to 6-8kms per day. |
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Maximum 24 front facing seats, air-conditioned vehicle |
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