Tour Type: Premium Self Drive Tour
Duration: 6 Days
Tour Starts In: Auckland
Tour Finishes In: Auckland
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from NZ $1743 pp
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6 Day Bay of Islands Experience Touring Route:
Tour Inclusions:
- Admission to Waitangi Treaty House including Maori cultural performance
- Overnight Bay of Islands Cruise including dinner
- Admission to Matakohe Kaui Museum
- 5 nights accommodation of your choice
- Full cooked breakfasts daily & 1 dinner
- Rental vehicle of your choice
- Satellite Navigation Included
- Admissions outlined in the Itinerary
- Personal 'Meet & Greet' at the airport, with private transfer to your accommodation
- Comprehensive travel compendium, maps, CD guide, vouchers and travel guides
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Day
1 |
Arrive Auckland
On arrival at Auckland airport, you will be personally met by our representative & transferred in an executive sedan to your accommodation. The afternoon is yours to relax or to explore the 'City of Sails'. Auckland is New Zealand's largest and most vibrant city, offering an exciting array of cosmopolitan experiences. Family attractions abound and the city has plenty of adrenaline for adventure lovers. Indulge in auckland's shopping, nightlife and unrivalled cuisine. Discover why Auckland is one of the best places in the world to live - and visit.
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Day
2 |
Auckland – Bay of Islands
Your rental car will be delivered to your accommodation this morning. Travel north over the Harbour Bridge and along the Hibiscus Coast to arrive in Paihia, a seaside town nestled on the shores of this National Maritime Park in the Bay of Islands. On arrival visit the historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds, New Zealand’s most historic site where the Treaty was signed between the Maori Chiefs and the British Crown. Here we have included a Maori cultural performance – an energetic, engaging 30 minute journey in traditional and contemporary song. (B)
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Day
3 |
Overnight Bay of Islands Cruise Aboard Ipipiri
The morning is at leisure. Check in early afternoon for your overnight cruise on board Ipipiri. As you cruise through the sheltered waters of the Bay of Islands, afternoon tea will be served. With 144 islands and abundant marine and bird life, the Bay of Islands is one of New Zealand’s finest sub-tropical marine parks, stunning during the day and unforgettable at night. This afternoon you have the choice of doing as much or as little as you like. Take a kayak tour, go snorkelling, enjoy a guided nature walk and tree planting, take a leisurely stroll on a secluded beach or simply relax and soak up the views from the sundeck.
As the sun sets behind the islands of the Bay and your cruise ship finds a sheltered cave to moor overnight, the ambience transforms aboard Ipipiri. New Zealand wines, local cuisine and knowledgeable crew help create the perfect setting.
Note: This crusie does not oeprate in the winter so the itinerary will vary for winter months May-Aug.
(B/D)
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Day
4 |
Bay of Islands
Breakfast is served on board this morning. Sit back and enjoy the views from the top deck as Ipipiri meanders past a few of the 144 islands of the Bay as she heads back to the mainland. After docking at Opua, you will transfer back to Paihia by coach, arriving late morning. The rest of the day is free to explore the region.
Kerikeri, only 15 minutes drive from Paihia, is worth a visit. Kerikeri Mission House, the country’s oldest house built by John Butler in 1821, and the Mission’s Stone Store dating from 1832 is New Zealand’s oldest stone building. The area is well known for its orchards, vineyards and art galleries. There’s a lively cafe scene, good restaurants and wineries as well as several gourmet food producers to visit – indulge in delicious handmade chocolates or locally made macadamia liqueur. (B)
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Day
5 |
Bay of Islands – Auckland
Head south from Paihia this morning and at Whangarei, take the turn-off to Dargaville, which is the kumara capital of the world. New Zealand’s own sweet potato comes in two varieties, golden and red. However, Dargaville has more strings to its bow, especially its history. It was home to the original Dalmatian gum diggers and kauri loggers who made the area their own in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and whose lives are charted in the local museum.
Approximately 40 kms south of Dargaville is Matakohe, home to the Kauri Museum. This amazing museum tells the fascinating story of the pioneering days through the use of kauri timber and kauri gum. Explore the many exceptional displays and galleries inside the museum from the magnificent collection of antique kauri furniture and the largest collection of kauri gum in the world to restored machinery including New Zealand’s earliest tractor, a 1929 Cat 60, and a turning steam sawmill. Leaving Matakohe, rejoin the main highway and a two hour drive brings you back to Auckland. (B)
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Day
6 |
Depart Auckland
Time for some last minute sightseeing or shopping before making your way to Auckland airport. Sadly your holiday is at an end and you leave your car at the rental depot located at the airport today for your onward flight. Here we bid you a fond farewell and hope you leave with many happy memories of your stay in Aotearoa, New Zealand. (B) |
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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 |
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Tour Prices
All tour prices are per person, twin share. |
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| Intermediate Car |
NZ $1,755 |
NZ $1,743 |
NZ $2,199 |
| Full Size Car |
NZ $1,781 |
NZ $1,769 |
NZ $2,225 |
| Mid Size 4WD |
NZ $1,859 |
NZ $1,845 |
NZ $2,301 |
| Full Size 4WD |
NZ $1,895 |
NZ $1,881 |
NZ $2,337 |
| People Mover (MPV) |
NZ $1,913 |
NZ $1,900 |
NZ $2,356 |
| Premium Full Size 4WD |
NZ $1,943 |
NZ $1,929 |
NZ $2,385 |
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. |
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- Frequently Asked Questions.
- International flights to & from New Zealand are not included.
- Single, Triple & Quad prices are available on request.
- If you would prefer a mix of the accommodation listed we can arrange this.
- For families we can also price our premium self drive tours using self catering apartments.
- Our premium B&B's do not cater for children.
- 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 updated 2 December 2011.
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