Tour Type: Low Cost Escorted Tour
Duration: 8 Days
Tour Starts In: Auckland
Tour Finishes In: Wellington
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from NZ $2115 pp
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8 Day Northern Highlights Touring Route:
Tour Inclusions:
- Quality Twin Share Accommodation
- Driver Guide & Luxury Coach Transport
- Admissions Outlined in the Itinerary
- Breakfasts (7) & Dinners (5)
- Meet & Greet and Airport Transfers
- Travel Kit including travel bag, ticket wallet, maps and itinerary
Tour Highlights:
Back to top |
Day
1 |
Arrive Auckland
Welcome to New Zealand! We will greet you at the airport, with transport waiting to take you to your hotel. Stay: Rydges Hotel |
Day
2 |
Auckland – Bay of Islands
Cross Auckland’s distinctive Harbour Bridge to drive north along the Hibiscus Coast, through Kawakawa to Paihia in the Bay of Islands. A guided visit to Waitangi with its Treaty House and Maori war canoe. This afternoon enjoy a launch cruise on the Bay crossing the areas world renowned game fishing grounds to the Cape Brett Lighthouse and famous “Hole in the Rock”. Return through the inner islands with their beautiful sandy beaches, sparkling waters and marine life. Stay: Hotel Paihia (2 nights) |
Day
3 |
Bay of Islands
A day free for you to relax and enjoy the many optional activities available. Your Coach Captain will happily assist with details. A full day Tour to Cape Reinga, New Zealand’s northern most point and Ninety Mile Beach or explore historic Russell, New Zealand’s first settlement and visit its original Church, Mission House and Museum. |
Day
4 |
Bay of Islands – Rotorua
South through the city of Whangarei to Warkworth passing the satellite tracking station. Auckland and its majestic harbour soon comes into view and a tour will visit the summit of Sky Tower, at 328m the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere for panoramic views across the city and its two harbours, the Domain, the central city area, the Waterfront Drive with its numerous yacht marinas and nearby residential suburbs. Cross the Bombay Hills to the lush farmlands of the Waikato noted for its horse studs, and the bush clad Mamaku Ranges to Rotorua. Stay: Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua (2 nights) |
Day
5 |
Rotorua
A sightseeing tour visits the Agrodome to see a display featuring New Zealand’s various sheep breeds and sheep shearing, Rainbow Springs to see rainbow and brown trout and native birds including the Kiwi. The spectacular Skyline Gondola offers superb views over city, lake and mountains and for a little excitement try a Luge ride with our compliments. There will be time this afternoon for optional activities. This evening enjoy a Maori Hangi (meal) with traditionally prepared meats and vegetables plus conventional dishes and followed by a concert featuring Maori songs, chants and the stirring haka. |
Day
6 |
Rotorua – Taupo – Napier
Visit Te Puia, the Maori Arts and Crafts Centre and Thermal Reserve with its boiling mud, silica terraces and Pohutu Geyser. Skirt some of the worlds largest pine forest to Wairakei where natural steam is harnessed to generate electricity, view the Huka Falls where the Waikato River pours through a narrow chasm and pause at Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand. Continue across the Central Plateau to the Hawkes Bay region and Napier, claimed to be the world’s art deco capital. A city tour will encompass the Marine Parade and foreshore area plus many of the city’s art deco buildings. A visit to the Hawkes Bay Museum is included. Stay: Tennyson Hotel |
Day
7 |
Napier – Wellington
Orchards and vineyards give way to lush farmlands as you pass through Hastings then to Dannevirke and Woodville for an early afternoon arrival in the Capital city Wellington. A city tour includes the summit of Mount Victoria for views over the city and its Harbour, the Houses of Parliament and distinctive “Beehive”, Wellington Cathedral, the central city and business area and Oriental Bay. Also explore the city yourself. Don’t miss Te Papa, the “Museum of New Zealand” or take a rideon the famous Cable Car. Stay: Bay Plaza Hotel |
Day
8 |
Depart Wellington
It is time to say farewell to your travelling companions. You will be transferred to Wellington International Airport to join your flight home. |
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Click on the icon to download the 8 Day Northern Highlights tour in pdf format. |
I booked this tour because I had a limited window in which to explore the North Island (not enough time for both islands) and wanted a tour that would take me to the main sights without having to waste time finding them myself and sorting out my own accomodation. I was NOT disappointed. The small group (17 for most of the trip) were all friendly - although I was lucky that there was one other single traveller in my age group so I didn't feel isolated at all. The coach captain, Ross, was fantastic! His extensive knowledge and almost continuous commentary, along with the frequent sight-seeing and comfort stops, made the long journeys pass in no time. The hotels were all of a high standard, and the food very nice and plentiful - especially in the Paihia and Rotorua hotels. The highlight for me was the Bay of Islands. Stunning weather and scenery, and I thoroughly recommend the optional half-day plane flight to Cape Reinga through Salt Air. That experience will stay with me forever. Well worth the extra money. Of course there are a couple of things that could've improved the tour. The visit to Rainbow Springs in Rotorua was boring and a complete waste of time (nothing of interest to see, very contrived) and instead of having a free afternoon in Rotorua, which doesn't have much to offer as a city, we all agreed we would prefer to have spent more time in Taupo, where we only spent two hours as a lunch stop. An overnight stay there would've given us time to explore the town and area more. But thats my only complaint; otherwise it was a fantastic tour. I booked my tour through Relaxing Journeys. They (especially Georgina Walpole) were helpful, patient and thorough throughout the booking process, answering all my questions to help me find the tour that suited me best. Overall, a fantastic way of seeing the North Island if you are limited for time.
Stephen Biggs (United Kingdom)
Tour Date 25/11/2009 |
I enjoyed the trip and driver was very informative and professional. Coach was comfortable and most of the hotels were good especially the Sudima. However the Angus was absolutely horrible! I also would have preferred that we stay in Napier and have some extra time to wander around. I was also disappointed when we arrived in Paihai to be offered another bus trip to go to the top of the North Island (the tour to take when you are already on tour). I did not think that on only the second day of tour we needed a whole day break, and would have liked a few more hours in Rotorua. Thought the itinerary was good and gave a good introduction to the North Island.
Carly Strachan (Australia)
Tour Date 06/05/2009 |
Tour Prices
All tour prices are per person, twin share. |
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Tour
Starts |
Tour
Finishes |
Brochure
Price |
OUR
SPECIAL |
OUR
PRICE |
| 07 Sep 2010 |
14 Sep 2010 |
NZ $2115 |
|
NZ $2115 |
| 12 Sep 2010 |
19 Sep 2010 |
NZ $2115 |
|
NZ $2115 |
| 21 Sep 2010 |
28 Sep 2010 |
NZ $2115 |
|
NZ $2115 |
| 28 Sep 2010 |
05 Oct 2010 |
NZ $2115 |
|
NZ $2115 |
| 05 Oct 2010 |
12 Oct 2010 |
NZ $2260 |
|
NZ $2260 |
| 12 Oct 2010 |
19 Oct 2010 |
NZ $2260 |
|
NZ $2260 |
| 19 Oct 2010 |
26 Oct 2010 |
NZ $2260 |
|
NZ $2260 |
| 26 Oct 2010 |
02 Nov 2010 |
NZ $2260 |
|
NZ $2260 |
| 02 Nov 2010 |
09 Nov 2010 |
NZ $2260 |
|
NZ $2260 |
| 09 Nov 2010 |
16 Nov 2010 |
NZ $2260 |
|
NZ $2260 |
| 16 Nov 2010 |
23 Nov 2010 |
NZ $2260 |
|
NZ $2260 |
| 23 Nov 2010 |
30 Nov 2010 |
NZ $2260 |
|
NZ $2260 |
| 30 Nov 2010 |
07 Dec 2010 |
NZ $2260 |
|
NZ $2260 |
| 07 Dec 2010 |
14 Dec 2010 |
NZ $2260 |
|
NZ $2260 |
| 14 Dec 2010 |
21 Dec 2010 |
NZ $2260 |
|
NZ $2260 |
| 21 Dec 2010 |
28 Dec 2010 |
NZ $2260 |
|
NZ $2260 |
| 28 Dec 2010 |
04 Jan 2011 |
NZ $2260 |
|
NZ $2260 |
| 04 Jan 2011 |
11 Jan 2011 |
NZ $2260 |
|
NZ $2260 |
| 11 Jan 2011 |
18 Jan 2011 |
NZ $2260 |
|
NZ $2260 |
| 18 Jan 2011 |
25 Jan 2011 |
NZ $2260 |
|
NZ $2260 |
| 25 Jan 2011 |
01 Feb 2011 |
NZ $2260 |
|
NZ $2260 |
| 01 Feb 2011 |
08 Feb 2011 |
NZ $2260 |
|
NZ $2260 |
| 08 Feb 2011 |
15 Feb 2011 |
NZ $2260 |
|
NZ $2260 |
| 15 Feb 2011 |
22 Feb 2011 |
NZ $2260 |
|
NZ $2260 |
| 22 Feb 2011 |
01 Mar 2011 |
NZ $2260 |
|
NZ $2260 |
| 01 Mar 2011 |
08 Mar 2011 |
NZ $2260 |
|
NZ $2260 |
| 08 Mar 2011 |
15 Mar 2011 |
NZ $2260 |
|
NZ $2260 |
| 15 Mar 2011 |
22 Mar 2011 |
NZ $2260 |
|
NZ $2260 |
| 22 Mar 2011 |
29 Mar 2011 |
NZ $2260 |
|
NZ $2260 |
| 29 Mar 2011 |
05 Apr 2011 |
NZ $2260 |
|
NZ $2260 |
| 05 Apr 2011 |
12 Apr 2011 |
NZ $2260 |
|
NZ $2260 |
| 12 Apr 2011 |
19 Apr 2011 |
NZ $2260 |
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NZ $2260 |
| 19 Apr 2011 |
26 Apr 2011 |
NZ $2260 |
|
NZ $2260 |
| 26 Apr 2011 |
03 May 2011 |
NZ $2260 |
|
NZ $2260 |
Note: The majority of departures above will proceed or are guaranteed to depart. We will outline the status of your departure date in your quote along with all applicable discounts and specials.
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Tour Options & Single Supplement:
Optional extras & single traveller supplement. |
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| Single Room Supplement: |
Add |
NZ $590 |
*Terms & Conditions apply to any discounts and/or specials above. Your designated tour consultant will apply the appropriate discounts automatically to your quote and detail any currently applicable 'Exclusive Specials'. |
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