9 Day Northern Escapade

Take delivery of your rental car this morning. Today depart Auckland and enjoy a leisurely drive on The Pacific Coast Highway. Traversing the spectacular East Coast of the North Island, it is classed as one of the great touring routes in the world. Linking the Coromandel with Auckland, The Pacific Coast Highway travels through a unique region where land and sea intermingle. Depart on the Driving Creek Railway in innovatively designed trains. Travel over viaducts (including the unique, double decker), 2 spirals, 3 reverses, tunnels and enjoy a magnificent view from the ridge-top terminus. Here a talk is given about local history, ecology and activities including the potteries. The trainalso passes through a native Kauri Forest replanting project. Continue across the main divide to your accommodation for tonight. (2 nights)

There are many beautiful places in the world and the Coromandel Peninsula is an unspoilt haven. Today you may choose to enjoy the stunning beaches of Cathedral Cove and Hahei and dig your own spa pool using the thermal waters in the sand at Hot Water Beach, which is only a 30 minute drive from your hotel. We highly recommend a guided tour with local expert & personality, ‘Kiwi Dundee’.

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 regions crystal clear lakes en route to Rotorua. You have time to spend a relaxing afternoon exploring Rotorua. (2 nights)

Free time to explore 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 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.

This morning depart Rotorua and head to Wai-O-Tapu. Walk at your own pace and marvel at the reserve’s unique features that include the world famous Champagne Pool, geysers, bubbling mud, steaming ground, expansive vistas, huge volcanic craters and sinter terrace formations. Stop at the mighty Huka Falls and Wairakei Geothermal project then wander around the popular lakeside resort of Taupo. Continue on to Napier, one of the world’s finest Art Deco cities. (2 nights)

You have the morning to relax or explore Napier at your leisure. Hawke’s Bay has also become well known as a leading food and wine region in New Zealand, so we have booked you in for a wine tour this afternoon. Meet like- minded people and share an appreciation of Hawke’s Bay’s fantastic wines.

Drive south today to the Wairarapa, a rural retreat in the very heart of New Zealand. Stop in at Martinborough, a unique wine village with over 20 boutique vineyards before continuing onto Wellington, the nation’s capital.

Sadly, your holiday is at an end and you will drive to Wellington 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.