11 Day Bush & Beach

Take delivery of your rental car 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 the 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. (3 nights)

Your choice of accommodation

Today you will cruise to the famous Hole in the Rock and Cape Brett. Board the luxury catamaran which will whisk you on a comfortable journey out through game fishing waters to the Cape Brett Lighthouse.

Next is Motukokako Island and the famous “Hole in the Rock” where you’ll make a passage through the Hole and on to the Grand Cathedral Cave. On the return journey the cruise takes its time and meanders through the inner islands. View sandy beaches, beautiful bays and marine wildlife as your skipper gives an informative commentary. Included is an island stopover on beautiful Urupukapuka Island.

Your choice of accommodation

Today you can spend at your leisure and enjoy all that this natural playground has to offer. We’d suggest a quick ferry ride across the water to the charming, elegant township of Russell. This tranquil place was once known as “the hell hole of the Pacific” when it was the shore leave destination for sailors, whalers and traders during the 19th century.

Historic buildings to visit include the Catholic Mission “Pompallier” and Christ Church, which still carries the bullet holes from the Maori Wars. Discover Russell’s exciting past by visiting the museum, cafés, restaurants and craft galleries, while appreciating its colonial architecture.

Your choice of accommodation

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 (admission included). 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 make your way towards Auckland.

Your choice of accommodation

This morning you continue your journey to the Coromandel along the the Pacific Coast Highway, one of the great touring routes in the world, traversing the spectacular east coast of the North Island. The Pacific Coast Highway is well signposted along the entire route, giving a safe and easy way to navigate through some of the most spectacular coastal scenery New Zealand has to offer. (2 nights)

Your choice of accommodation

Enjoy a full-day guided tour today with local expert and personality, ‘Kiwi Dundee’. Enjoy the scenic beauty of the area while learning about the flora, fauna and history of the Coromandel region. Kiwi Dundee Adventures is internationally recognised as one of New Zealand’s top guiding companies.

Your choice of accommodation

Depart today and travel along the Bay of Plenty coastline through the subtropical orchards of kiwi fruit and citrus. Head inland through massive pine forests, passing many of the region’s crystal clear lakes en route to Rotorua. You will arrive with time to spend a relaxing afternoon exploring Rotorua. (2 nights)

Your choice of accommodation

Make the most of exploring Rotorua 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 makes Rotorua famous as New Zealand’s thermal city. This evening experience Te Po, a feast of cultural storytelling, entertainment and Maori kai (indigenous food). Following 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.

Your choice of accommodation

Journey over the Mamaku Saddle and through Fitzgerald Glade as you make your way to the famous Waitomo Caves this morning. Here you will enjoy a guided tour through the long galleries and lofty chambers to view stalactites formed over thousands of years by dripping water.

The tour ends with a boat ride through the glowworm grotto, illuminated by thousands of tiny lights emitted by glowworms suspended from the cave ceiling. Return to Auckland later this afternoon.

Your choice of accommodation

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.

Your choice of accommodation