Day 1: Auckland
Upon arrival at Auckland airport you will be met by our local representative who will transfer you to your accommodation.
Known as the 'City of Sails', Auckland city extends over a narrow isthmus between the Waitemata Harbour on the Pacific Ocean, and the Manukau Harbour on the Tasman Sea. Auckland has spectacular natural features, including 49 dormant volcanoes. This cosmopolitan city has a population of around 1.4 million and the city’s subtropical climate, lush vegetation and easy access to the coast and outdoor activities consistently earns it a place in the top five rankings in international lifestyle surveys.
A melting pot of 190 different ethnicities, Auckland is the world’s biggest Polynesian city. This diversity is reflected in the lively arts and culture scene, a wide range of food and craft markets, vineyards, a hip cafe culture and outstanding restaurants. The dozens of islands of the Hauraki Gulf form a distinctive aspect of the Auckland landscape and provide a magnet for boaties, fishing enthusiasts and hikers.
Day 2: Free Day in Auckland
Today is free to explore Auckland at your leisure and there are many options available.
Take a day trip out to Rangitoto or Waiheke Island. Rangitoto Island is an extinct volcano and iconic Auckland landmark. Walk over lava crops and through native bush to the summit for panoramic views of the city and out to the Hauraki Gulf or visit Waiheke Island with its beautiful beaches, vineyards, olive groves and laid back villages. Regular passenger ferries to each depart from central Auckland and guided tours are also available.
The Auckland Art Gallery has a wide ranging permanent collection of national and international art, both historical and contemporary and hosts a programme of touring exhibitions.
Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World, located underneath the Auckland waterfront, aims to display the Southern Ocean marine life from the perspective of a diver. Here you can travel along a 110 metre see through tunnel surrounding by ocean water and creatures of the deep.
Auckland War Memorial Museum introduces you to the people of the Pacific and New Zealand, the natural history of our country, and tells the stories of wars which have helped shaped the New Zealand national identity. There are also galleries devoted to New Zealand design and decorative arts and special exhibitions.
Auckland Zoo is home to over 1300 animals and is recognized as one of the most progressive zoos in the world. Set in 16 hectares of parkland, the zoo provides exciting visitor experiences aimed at inspiring people to take action to support the wildlife and environment.
Day 3: Drive Auckland to Rotorua via Matamata
This morning you will make your way to the car hire office to pick up your rental.
Leaving the City of Sails, head via the southern motorway and over the Bombay Hills taking you into the mighty Waikato Region and across the Hauraki Plains. The Waikato River once flowed over this land, and has left behind a flat, sometimes swampy landscape of fertile alluvial soil that is excellent for dairy farming, the area’s main industry. To the east, the craggy Kaimai Range overlooks the plains and remains a constant presence as you continue south. Pass through Matamata, a main service town that is famous for its thoroughbred horse breeding studs and as the location of ‘The Shire’ in the Lord of the Rings films, or more commonly known as 'Hobbiton'. As you merge onto the Thermal Explorer Highway, you will start to experience the smell of Sulphur as you pass areas of bubbling mud, spouting geysers and natural geothermal mineral pools across an enticing mix of captivating and wonderful landscapes. Welcome to the geothermal wonderland that is Rotorua.
Highlight of this drive: Hobbiton - why not stop off on your drive and take a magical tour of the Hobbiton set used in many of the Lord of the Rings movies, and more recently, 'The Hobbit'. Please note: bookings are essential.
Experience the real Middle-earth with a visit to the Hobbiton Movie Set, the bucolic setting for The Shire that featured in the Peter Jackson directed films, The Lord of the Rings and the 'Hobbit' Trilogies. The tour starts with a drive through the picturesque 1,250 acre sheep farm with spectacular views across to the Kaimai Ranges. A guide will escort you through the ten acre site recounting fascinating details of how the Hobbiton set was created. The Hobbit holes, Green Dragon Inn, Mill and other structures created for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films can be viewed. See how this beautiful piece of Waikato farmland was transformed into The Shire from Middle-earth.
Day 4: Waiotapu & Waimangu Eco Thermal Park
Visits Rotorua's most natural and popular geothermal parks today; Wai O Tapu and Waimangu Volcanic Valley. Your local naturalist guide will explain the volcanic processes of Rotorua and New Zealand. See volcanoes, geysers, New Zealand's largest boiling mud pool and hot springs on a scenic drive around volcanic landscapes, native and exotic forests. The two heritage parks offer a variety of thermal activity; at Wai-o-tapu the amazingly colourful hot springs and moonlike landscapes are the key features along with the famous Lady Knox geyser. At Waimangu Volcanic valley, learn about the Mt Tarawera eruption, native flora and fauna and the geothermal features which were blown open in 1886.
This evening you will head to Te Po where you will enjoy an Indigenous evening of entertainment.
The welcome ceremony commences with the blowing of a pukaea or putaratara (carved wooden trumpet or conch shell) by the kaimatire (lookout guard) posted in the puhara (defence tower). A toa (warrior) from the hometribe is sent out to challenge the elected male chief of the manuhiri (visitors) in an attempt to ascertain the reason for their approach to the village; whether they come in friendliness or animosity. Enter the traditional, fully-carved marae (Maori ancestral meeting house) as the women chant a welcome into the house. The Maori chief officially welcomes his visitors and the home tribe sings a traditional tribal song in support of their chief followed by a range of customary performances and authentic customs including the world famous haka (challenge). View the hangi meal being lifted from the earth oven before enjoying the feast of cultural storytelling, entertainment and Maori Kai (indigenous food). Board the people mover bound for the valley under the veil of darkness and finish the evening beside the awe inspiring Pohutu geyser enjoying Maori inspired delicacies and a hot drink.
Day 5: Drive Rotorua to Taupo
The road to Taupo will keep you entertained with its unusual, volcanic geography. You'll also drive through large tracts of plantation pine forest, Kaingaroa State Forest. You may like to take a side road to the geothermal park of Wai-o-Tapu, where you'll discover geysers, silica terraces and crates of boiling mud. Towards the end of the drive to Taupo, you'll encounter the Wairakei Geothermal Power Station, where steam is harnessed to provide electricity from forty deep bores. If time permits, you may also like to take a short stop off at Huka Falls - here you can witness the phenomenon of natural hydro power with more than 220,000 litres of water per second barreling over 11 metre high waterfall. As you come over the hill into town, you will see the amazing view of Great Lake Taupo - New Zealand's largest lake.
Prior to European settlement, Taupo was a closely settled area called Tapuaeharuru. In the upland heart of the North Island, Taupo is a place that owes its popularity as a holiday resort and residential area to the big lake stretching 40 kilometres south from the borough of Taupo to the town of Turangi. Some 40 rivers and streams, from bush country, forest and farmland, come tumbling into the lake. Lake Taupo offers some of the best trout fishing in New Zealand and is an ideal location for all kinds of water sports for the thousands of holidaymakers who visit here each year.
During your free time in Taupo you may like to consider some of the following activities: scenic flights, bungy jumping, cycling, white water rafting, tandem skydiving or would you prefer to unwind in the thermal pools, take a walk beside the lake or play a few holes of golf.
Day 6: Drive Taupo to Napier
Napier and its neighbour Hastings, are rich farming lands supporting vast orchards, vineyards and sheep farming. Wool and fruit growing are the back-bone of the region's economy and Napier is fast gaining an international reputation for wine making. After 1931’s violent earthquake and subsequent fires most of Napier’s commercial heart was destroyed. Napier’s harbour sustained a massive upheaval and 4000 hectares of new land was formed. The people of Napier rebuilt their city which has lent an art deco flavour to the downtown area. Nowhere else can you see such a variety of buildings in the styles of the 1930s; Stripped Classical, Spanish Mission and above all Art Deco. Napier's Art Deco style is unique with its Maori motifs and the buildings of Louis Hay.
This afternoon you will have a Gold Reserve tour. Of all New Zealand's wine producing regions, there's no doubt that Hawke’s Bay has a greater capacity than any other to produce a wide range of classical varieties. This afternoon your guide will show you around New Zealand’s original Wine Country with a focus on premium producers and a behind-the-scenes winery tour. Visit and taste the wines from three to four premium Hawke’s Bay wineries and savour a mid-afternoon Gourmet Platter showcasing the regions artisan food products.
Day 7: Drive Napier to Martinborough
Head south today climbing out of Hawkes Bay and into the rolling sheep and cattle farmland that characterises much of your journey today. Just south of Eketahuna is the Mt Bruce National Wildlife Centre, a worthwhile stop on your journey. Pass through the historic Greytown known for its colonial buildings and continue alongside the Ruamahanga River until you reach the small town of Martinborough.
Day 8: Drive Martinborough to Wellington
Depart Martinborough and drive through farmland towards Featherston. Climb the Rimutaka Hill and descend into Upper Hutt, following the motorway into Wellington, the world’s most southern capital city.
Upon arrival you will return your rental car.
