7D6N NEW ZEALAND NORTHERN SPLENDOUR – SELF-DRIVE

Upon arrival, collect your rental vehicle and self drive to your accommodation. Auckland is New Zealand's largest city, located between two harbours with gentle sandy shores on the east coast and black sand, wild surf beaches on the west coast. Home to sheltered, sparkling blue waters dotted with beautiful emerald islands, we recommend getting out on the water when you are here. 

Overnight: Auckland

OPTIONAL ACTIVITES

(1) TE WAO NUI AT AUCKLAND ZOO

With naturally inspiring and award-winning habitats, Auckland Zoo is New Zealand’s largest home of native and exotic wildlife, just minutes from central Auckland. Within Auckland Zoo, you’ll find Te Wao Nui, a special piece of New Zealand within New Zealand. Featuring native bird and plant species, Te Wao Nui is divided into six stunning habitats showcasing the native flora and fauna of Aotearoa, New Zealand; the coast, the island sanctuary, the wetlands, the forest, and the highlands. Discover the iconic kiwi, cheeky kea , and more than 50 of Aotearoa's amazing natural treasures in Te Wao Nui - The Living Realm. Home to over 75 native animals and over 100 plant species, Te Wao Nui will take you on an immersive journey through New Zealand's natural world.

(2) AUCKLAND SKY TOWER

Standing prominently in Auckland City, the iconic Sky Tower provides a great introduction to the city with panoramic 360 degree views up to 80km in every direction. Take an elevator ride 328 metres high above street level and enjoy views over the city and across to ancient volcanoes, sparkling harbours and beyond.

(3) ORBIT RESTAURANT SKY TOWER

Soaring high above Auckland you'll discover Orbit, a truly iconic New Zealand brasserie offering diners sensational views - and food to match. Situated at the top of Auckland’s Sky Tower, the dining room rotates once every hour, providing a truly unique experience with amazing 360-degree panoramas of the city, the Hauraki Gulf and beyond.

Orbit offers a modern set-menu dining experience in a relaxed, open atmosphere with a delicious kiwi-inspired menu that features the best local and seasonal produce. As New Zealand’s only rotating restaurant offering 360-degree views, it’s an unforgettable experience that never ceases to delight.

(4) AUCKLAND HARBOUR SAILING

Departing from Auckland downtown’s Viaduct Harbour, enjoy the unique Auckland landscape from the water on a 1.5 hour relaxed harbour sailing experience. Take in Auckland’s city highlights; sail under the Harbour Bridge, see volcanic peaks and the iconic city skyline from the best view in town. Sit back and relax or get involved and help the friendly, knowledgeable crew sail the 50 foot yacht. Includes tea, coffee or hot chocolate and a cookie.

Journey through the rolling green hills of Waitomo and enjoy a tour through an underground wonderland of caves decorated with galaxies of glowworms. Continue to Matamata for a charming tour of unique, character Hobbit homes, gardens and the watering hole just as you see in the movies. Finishing off a visually fulfilling day, continue to Rotorua, a bubbling and steaming destination like nowhere else.

Overnight: Rotorua

Auckland-Waitomo: 195km (approx 2hrs, 30mins)

Waitomo-Matamata: 102km (approx 1hr, 20mins)

Matamata-Rotorua: 67km (approx 55mins)

INCLUDED ACTIVITES:

(1) WAITOMO GLOWWORM CAVES GUIDED TOUR

More than 30 million years ago, the legend of Waitomo began with the creation of limestone at the bottom of the ocean. Discover this ancient world with your expert tour guide bringing the Waitomo Glowwom Cave to life through story-telling its history, features and legends. Walk past stunning, delicate cave formations before taking a boat ride through the glow worm grotto. Glide silently through the starry wonderland of Arachnocampa Luminosa, thousands of magical glowworms, unique to New Zealand.
Regular one hour tours depart from the Waitomo Glowworm Caves Visitor Centre.

(2) HOBBITON MOVIE SET TOUR

Experience the real Middle-earth at the Hobbiton Movie Set where you can step into the lush pastures of the Shire, as seen in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Your guide will take you on fully guided tour around the set pointing out the most famous locations and explaining how the movie magic was made. Venture Beyond the Door and into an authentic Hobbit Hole interior. Visit the Mill and Green Dragon Inn where you will be presented with a complimentary beverage. Located at The Shires Rest, 15 minutes from Matamata township. Duration: 2.5 hours

OPTIONAL ACTIVITES

(1) SECRET SPOT HOT TUBS

Located a two minute drive from central Rotorua Secret Spot Hot Tubs are set amongst the tree ferns in the spectacular Whakarewarewa forest. The 12 handcrafted red cedar hot tubs have a lovely woody aroma and naturally infuse the water with cedar oil. Soak in your own cedar hot tub of fresh forest spring water with an optional umbrella over the tub to shade from the sun or rain. At night, soak in a magical setting of lanterns amongst the beautifully lit surrounding native bush. The one hour booking allows for 45 minutes soak time and 15 minutes to get in and out.
Please note: not available for under 5 year olds.

Rotorua is surrounded by a fascinating geothermal landscape with its unique steam vents, spouting geysers and bubbling mud pool set alongside freshwater lakes and majestic native forests. It is also a region immersed in fascinating Maori myths and legends. Today you'll visit one of the local geothermal attractions before a sensory evening display in the forest. Overnight: Rotorua

INCLUDED ACTIVITES:

(1) WAIMANGU GEOTHERMAL VALLEY

Waimangu connects people with the beating heart of the world’s youngest geothermal valley, its unique history and legacy. Discover how the world began. Experience spectacular volcanic craters, enormous hot water springs, beautiful geothermal features, rare and unusual plant life, brilliantly coloured micro biology and a wide array of birds. Become immersed in the stories of the Mt Tarawera volcanic eruption, its people, and the resulting dramatic landscape changes that created the world’s youngest geothermal park. Explore Waimangu at your own pace on the easy, mainly downhill, 1.5km walk.

(2) REDWOODS NIGHTLIGHTS

Forest and fantasy come to life within this magical illuminated evening treewalk. Redwoods Nightlights™ is one of New Zealand’s top design led tourism experiences. Set high amongst the giant redwood trees, 30 exquisite lanterns float above the forest floor. Enjoy the mesmerising forest at night on a 40 minute award-winning, eco-tourism walk that spans 28 platforms and suspension bridges. Suitable for all ages and perfect for those looking for things to do in Rotorua at night.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITES

(1) GONDOLA RIDE + 3 LUGE

Step onboard a gondola cabin and enjoy a gentle, scenic ride high above Rotorua for spectacular views of the city and lake. Enjoy views from the Skyline Complex at the top, then nestle into a Luge cart and zip off downhill. Pull back on the handlebars to slow down or stop, release slightly to accelerate and enjoy the ride. The Luge is great for any age and small children can ride with adults. Ride the sweeping bends of the Scenic track through the Redwoods Forest. After a stunning chair-lift ride back to the top, Intermediate and Advanced tracks await. Once is never enough!

(2) NATIONAL KIWI HATCHERY TOUR

Located on the Agrodome Farm, 12 minutes from Rotorua CBD, the National Kiwi Hatchery is a leader in kiwi husbandry, egg incubation systems, hatching techniques and kiwi chick rearing. Each year it incubates and hatches more than 100 kiwi chicks. Of those, only five would have survived if they had been left in the wild. Watch genuine conservation in action, discover what it takes to hatch a chick and if you're really lucky, see a newly hatched baby chick. Duration: 45 minutes.

There’s a bit of everything on today’s drive past Great Lake Taupo to Napier.    Your scenic journey includes volcanic geography, fresh forest plantations, rugged hills, beautiful valleys, gentle plains and huge vistas.  Overnight: Napier

Rotorua - Napier: 220km (approx 2hrs, 55mins)

OPTIONAL ACTIVITES

(1) HUKA FALLS

FREE ATTRACTION: Huka Falls is New Zealand’s most visited natural attraction.

At the Falls, the Waikato River which is normally 100m wide, is forced through a 20 metre wide gorge and over a dramatic 20m drop where the previously placid waters roar and rumble at great speed bursting out and crashing into the turbulent pool below.

Easily accessible from the main highway, the Huka Falls car park is about 8 minutes north of Taupō.  Around the falls there are several great vantage points from which to enjoy their full splendour and capture some very impressive photographs.  A foot bridge right at the top of the falls puts you in a prime position to get up close and witness the powerful display of water blasting by.

Following an earthquake in 1931, a rebuild saw Napier completely redesigned in the style of the times.  Buildings were constructed in the Art Deco style with Maori motifs to give the city a unique New Zealand character.  Today, the delightful seaside city of Napier has the extra-ordinary feeling of a time capsule with its seamless line of some of the world's finest 1930's architecture. Enjoy a guided tour of Napier's unique history and architecture. Overnight: Napier

INCLUDED ACTIVITES: Art Deco Morning Walk

In February 1931, Napier was levelled by earthquake and fire but was rebuilt in the depths of the Great Depression in just two years. Nowhere else in the world can you see such a concentration of buildings in the styles of the 1930s: Art Deco, Spanish Mission and Stripped Classical. Your knowledgeable and passionate guide will take you on a walk back in time on this 1.5 hour walking tour, pointing out Napier’s Art Deco highlights along the way.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITES

(1) PANORAMIC TASTE OF WINE TOUR

Hawke’s Bay history abounds with early winemaking successes. Here you will find New Zealand’s very first winery and today Hawke’s Bay has over 100 vineyards and 80 wineries. Your half day wine tour takes you on a journey through the gorgeous countryside and into the most famous wine growing regions of Hawke's Bay. Visit four internationally recognised wineries, where you'll take part in a series of comprehensive wine tastings, with explanations from your tour guide. If you don't know anything about wine, you won't be alone – this is a first for many on a wine tour. Whatever your experience, you'll come away with a better understanding and appreciation of wine than when you started.

(2) GANNET SAFARIS OVERLAND TOUR

The four gannet colonies at Cape Kidnappers are the largest and most accessible mainland gannet colony in the world with an estimated 20,000 birds. Guided tours depart from the Te Awanga base, just 25 minutes south of Napier. Here you will take a 4WD safari along the pristine coastline and through Cape Kidnappers Station traversing riverbeds, broad rolling pastures, native bush and breath-taking inclines. There is a stop on cliff top for spectacular panoramic views before watching these captivating seabirds in their natural habitat, nesting, preening, dancing, swooping and diving into the sea. Includes tea, coffee or hot chocolate. Transfers from Napier are available for additional cost.
Seasonal: September to April. Allow 3 hours

Today's travel south may be via the spectacular Manawatu Gorge or through the beautiful Tuki Tuki Valley and Wairarapa Wine region to reach Wellington.

Set between a sparking harbour and rolling green hills the compact city of Wellington is best explored on foot.  Great shopping, arts culture, cafes and restaurants are all within minutes of the city’s untouched nature spots.  Te Papa, New Zealand's National Museum offers FREE admission but you might like to include a guided tour for a greater insight into New Zealand's rich history and culture.

Overnight: Wellington

Napier - Wellington: 320km (approx 4hrs, 20mins)

OPTIONAL ACTIVITES

(1) INTRODUCING TE PAPA TOUR

Spread over six floors, Te Papa Museum of New Zealand brings to life the stories of New Zealand. This 60 minute tour is the perfect way to get an overview of Te Papa’s highlights, Māori taonga (treasures), and New Zealand history. Your experienced tour guide will reveal innovative cultural treasures of the Māori and Pasifika peoples, the history and science of our vibrant natural environment, and the national art collection. Ideal for visitors with limited time or for those wanting an introduction towards an extended visit.

(2) ZEALANDIA BY NIGHT TOUR

Just 13 minutes from downtown Wellington a unique and magical experience awaits at ZEALANDIA. This predator-proof eco sanctuary is one of the best places to see kiwi in New Zealand. Over 180 of these remarkable birds live wild and naturally here - so your chances of finding one are good (but not guaranteed). During your evening tour your guide will lead you through the sanctuary valley by torchlight, in search of the distinctive sights and sounds of the New Zealand native forest to experience many of the rare and endangered species that only come out at night. Possible sights include kiwi foraging on the forest floor, tuatara hunting for food, glow-worms shining, tiny Maud Island frogs in their enclosure, kākā (parrots) coming in to roost. Possible sounds include the high-pitched call of kiwi, the ghostly echo of the ruru (morepork), the scritch-scritch of tree wētā, the skraark of kākā and the rustling of other nocturnal creatures. Includes a replenishing cup of hot kawakawa (bushman’s tea) in the Visitors Centre.
Duration: 2.5 hours. Minimum Age: 12 years

(3) WELLINGTON CABLE CAR RETURN TRIP

There is no better way to experience the hidden charm that Wellington has to offer than to take a five minute ride from the heart of the of the city centre, up through the hillside terraced houses to the lookout perched high above the city.
A favourite of locals and visitors alike, the Cable Car provides easy access from the central business district to the Kelburn lookout, the Cable Car Museum, Botanic Garden, Space Place (Carter Observatory & Planetarium) and Zealandia Ecosanctuary (via a free shuttle).
Take a historic trip and enjoy stunning views from the lookout over Wellington City and harbour.

Arrangements conclude today with the return of your rental car to Wellington Airport.

Please Note：

(i) Rental Car "Days" are based on a 24 hour hire. 

Early arrivals into and/or late departures out of New Zealand may necessitate a longer hire period.

(ii) Adding Optional Tours may necessitate an additional nights' stay in that location.