Arrive Auckland
Arrive Auckland and once you have collected your rental car please make your way to your accommodation. New Zealand’s largest city has an idyllic setting, overlooking the forested Waitakere Ranges, sheltered Manukau Harbour and the island-studded Hauraki Gulf to the north. No wonder over a million people choose to live there and enjoy the benefits of nature on the doorstep. Beautiful beaches and dreamy offshore islands are just half an hour from the city. In fact the sea is so much a part of the place that an unusually high number of people own their own boat giving the city its name of ‘City of Sails’. Stay: Oaktree Motel
Day 2
Auckland to Coromandel Peninsula
Make your way south of Auckland to the Coromandel Peninsula, separated from Auckland by the broad Firth of the Thames, The Coromandel comprises a forested backbone of mountains separating the precipitous west coast from the coves and white sand beaches of the east. One of the highlights of the Pacific Coast Highway, this is a very scenic area that deserves exploration. The Driving Creek Railway is included today. Stay: Aotearoa Lodge (2 nights)
Day 3
Coromandel Peninsula
Today is at your leisure, fringing both shores of the sparsely inhabited peninsula are endless pohutakawa trees whose rich red blooms are a stunning feature of the landscape between October and December. The area is steeped in gold-mining history, vividly brought to life in the Thames Gold Mine and Stamper Battery. The sleepy town of Coromandel, also a former gold mining centre, offers a scenic narrow-gauge rail trip up into the hills and is the jumping off point for one of New Zealand’s renowned coastal paths, the 57kms Coromandel Walkway. Over on the eastern side, beautiful Mercury Bay and the town of Whitianga are great places to explore in the region and offer diverse experiences such as bone carving, snorkelling in Cathedral Cove and a natural ‘sauna’ on Hot Water Beach, where hot springs emerge below the sand.
Day 4
Coromandel Peninsula to Rotorua
Today make your way to Rotorua, set in a tranquil lake studded basin among forested hills, the town is centre for a region where one surprise follows another. Geysers spout 15metres or more into the air, bubbling cauldrons spit out mud and steam vents hiss to an all-prevailing odour of sulphur. Stay: Six on Union (2 nights)
Day 5
Rotorua
Free time to explore Rotorua this today. You may like to visit the Agrodome or take a gondola ride to the top of Mt Ngongotaha for spectacular views of Rotorua. Later this afternoon visit Te Puia geothermal area to view the boiling mudpools and cascading Pohutu geyser that make Rotorua famous as New Zealand’s thermal city. This evening experience Te Po, Te Puia’s cultural experience. It is a feast of cultural storytelling, entertainment and Maori kai (indigenous food). After a formal Maori welcome, relax and enjoy a performance including the beautiful songs, haka and poi dance. After dinner you will be transported by people movers to enjoy the spectacular lighting of the Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley and hot chocolate. (D)
Day 6
Rotorua to Auckland
Today make your way back north to Auckland, en-route entrance to the Ruakuri Caves is included. These caves were first discovered by local Maori between 400 and 500 years ago, it takes its name from the wild dogs that made their home in the cave entrance. Newly reopened after an interval of 18 years, Ruakuri cave offers a captivating blend of Waitomo’s most compelling subterranean experiences. in any one sightseeing tour, your guide will bring you up close to glowworms, elaborate cave formations, underground rivers, myths, legends and sacred Maori sites. Stay: Oaktree Motel
Day 7
Depart Auckland
Today is the last day of your arrangements, please return your rental car to the depot at Auckland airport prior to your onward flight.
Note:This self drive tour can be completed in reverse order, the tour cost remains the same.To view tour prices or to make an enquiry, please click on the Tabs at the top of this itinerary.Top
7 Day Coromandel & Thermals Reviews
Tour reviews from past clients of Relaxing Journeys.
2 Reviews,
Average Rating 3.5
of 5.
The headache of planning and dealing with hotel bookings was completely done by Relaxing Journeys. That was great! The rooms were clean and very nice to stay in. The hotel in Wiatomo was awesome! At first I thought what the heck - what is this, but it turned out to be great hotel with a very unique history behind all of the different places to stay. What a great little place, not to mention the small community of Wiatomo itself. We ate our best meal there! The other wonderful thing about the tour was that most of the attractions were planned, booked, and included in the price. This was wonderful to just wake up and read the itnerary in the morning and plan the day. The suggestions of other activities to do along the way was very helpful in planning. The people of New Zealand were very friendly and helpful along the way. What a great country. I think next time we will need 3 or 4 months of time to discover all of New Zealand. The Atlas was great to have, and it was nice to have points of interest noted along the way. I would suggest that people buy a good map of Auckland, as it was not easy to just use the map in the Atlas provided. A good map of the city would be nice to be included. Some simple directions on how to find the hotels as you enter each stop at night would also be very helpful. We become very effective at stopping and asking for directions, but some simple directions off the main road would be helpful especially when arriving late at night. The hotel in Whitatanga was challenging to find since it was way off the beaten path.
Pam McInturff (United States) Tour Date 27/03/2011
We had a great time! The itinerary was ideal for the short time we had available in NZ, driving time estimates were spot-on (i.e. within plus or minus 15 minutes), and accommodation was exactly what we expected (and well located too). Our only regret is that we didn't have more time to spend exploring more of New Zealand. We do plan to return in the future when our children are old enough to enjoy the trip. We will recommend Relaxing Journeys to anyone planning a trip to NZ in the future. As an aside, I found that NZ drivers are remarkably courteous (at any rate in comparison to Canadian drivers). Thanks for helping us to have a great vacation!
David Tweddell & Sheila Powell (Canada) Tour Date 12/08/2010
* 1 & 2 Bedroom motel units are all self catering.
** 2 Bedroom motel prices based on 4 adults travelling.
EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL OFFER
2012/13 Season Sale! Save 10% off the prices shown on our website, for 01 May to 31 Aug 2012 departures. Save 5% on all other departures. Deposit this month to qualify!
*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'.
Self Drive Tour Notes
Prices above are per person & valid till September 2013.
2 Bedroom motel prices above are based on 4 adults travelling.
Some motel studios may not have full self catering facilities. If self catering is required then please request a 1 or 2 bedroom room.
If a property listed on our itinerary is unavailable at the time of booking we will replace it with a equivalent accommodation, and let you know, to ensure it is to your satisfaction.
Please note this itinerary was last amended 5 April 2012.
