| Day 1. | | | | * the Skyline Gondola and luge ride. Cable cars take |
| Today on the first day of your New Zealand | | | | the 900 metre journey to the top of Mt Ngongotaha |
| itinerary, you arrive in New Zealand's largest city, | | | | (487 metres) where you will enjoy stunning views of |
| Auckland. | | | | Rotorua and surrounds. The luge ride is great fun as |
| Auckland is a bustling city with a population of around | | | | you ride your kart down one of three tracks. Then |
| 1.4 million. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian | | | | return to the top by chairlift, and do it all over again! |
| population of any city in the world. | | | | * Hell's Gate/Tikitere, which is considered to be the |
| Often referred to as the "City of Sails", Auckland has | | | | most active of Rotorua's thermal areas, contains an |
| two natural harbours, and a warmer climate than | | | | active mud volcano and hot waterfall. |
| many other areas of New Zealand, allowing locals and | | | | * the Polynesian Spa, located lake side, has a |
| visitors to make the most of it's wonderful location. | | | | selection of hot pools overlooking the lake. |
| Check in to your accommodation, collect your car, | | | | Day 10 |
| and have a good rest. Tomorrow your adventure | | | | Today your New Zealand itinerary takes you to the |
| begins. | | | | Waitomo Caves (2.5 hours drive). |
| Day 2. | | | | Check in to your hotel then head to the famous |
| As befits a city of this size, Auckland has lots to see | | | | Waitomo Caves. The complex includes the |
| and do, and you will find it one of the highlights of | | | | unforgettable Ruakuri Cave, Aranui Cave, and the |
| your New Zealand itinerary. | | | | spectacular Glowworm Caves. The caves are a must |
| One of Auckland's most popular attractions is Kelly | | | | see, and you will marvel at the display as thousands |
| Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World, | | | | of tiny glowworms radiate their gentle glow. Expert |
| which was the world's first walk through, tunnel | | | | guides will provide expert commentary on the caves |
| aquarium. Here you can see over 60 species of fish, | | | | history as you make your way through the complex. |
| including rays and sharke, and breeding colonies of | | | | If you crave something a little more adventurous, |
| gentoo and king penguins. | | | | why not try black water rafting. 3 or 5 hour |
| Auckland's Sky Tower is the Southern Hemisphere's | | | | adventures will have you jumping, weaving, abseiling, |
| tallest building, at 328 metres. The high-speed | | | | and tubing through Ruakuri Caves glowworm lit |
| elevators take visitors to three observation decks, in | | | | waters. |
| 40 seconds, where you will enjoy 360 degree views | | | | The operator, the Black Water Rafting company, |
| of Auckland and surrounds. | | | | have been in operation for over 20 years, and have |
| Waiheke Island is the most populated and accessible | | | | guided over half a million visitors through this |
| of the Hauraki Gulf islands, and is a 30 minute ferry | | | | underground wonderland. |
| ride from Auckland. The island has several beautiful | | | | Day 11. |
| beaches, and numerous cafes and restaurants. | | | | Today your New Zealand itinerary takes you to the |
| Day 3. | | | | Taranaki region's major centre, New Plymouth (2.5 |
| Today your New Zealand itinerary takes you from | | | | hours drive). Located on the west coast of the North |
| Auckland to the beautiful Bay of Islands (3.75 hours | | | | Island, New Plymouth is somewhat unique, in being a |
| drive). | | | | coastal city which has a mountain within 30 minutes |
| The Bay of Islands have been a tourist favourite for | | | | drive. Mount Taranaki (also known as Mount Egmont) |
| decades. Aptly named, the region features stunning | | | | stands at 2,518 metres and allows visitors to New |
| coastal scenery and various small sea side townships | | | | Plymouth to snowboard, ski, and surf, all on the same |
| such as Russell and Paihia. | | | | day. |
| Accommodation options are many and varied, | | | | You will find a wide range of accommodation and |
| particularly in Paihia. A water view is always | | | | things to do in New Plymouth. |
| recommended if your budget allows. | | | | Day 12. |
| Day 4. | | | | Today your New Zealand itinerary takes you to the |
| Today in your New Zealand itinerary you are free to | | | | lovely lake side town of Lake Taupo (4.5 hours |
| explore the Bay of Islands. | | | | drive). Find your accommodation then explore after |
| Recommended activities are: | | | | lunch. |
| * visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Described as the | | | | Day 13. |
| "birthplace of the nation", the historic Treaty of | | | | There is an abundance of activities in Lake Taupo. As |
| Waitangi was signed here in 1840. The Treaty House | | | | New Zealand's largest lake, Taupo offers a wide |
| and carved meeting house are not to be missed. | | | | variety of water based things to do. The area is |
| Maori arts and craft exhibitions, and Maori cultural | | | | famous for trout fishing, and the Tongariro River is |
| shows are a feature of the grounds. | | | | Lake Taupo's main spawning river, famous for the |
| * take a cruise to Cape Brett and the Hole in the | | | | size and quality of its fish. Mountain biking, hiking, and |
| Rock, a cave that is large enough to accommodate | | | | bungy jumping are all available in Taupo. The region is |
| large boats. | | | | also home to Huka lodge, one of the finest luxury |
| * visit Russell. Once known as the "Hellhole of the | | | | lodges in the world. Offering world class |
| Pacific", Russell was notorious for it's brothels, alcohol, | | | | accommodation, facilities, location, and service Huka |
| and lawlessness. Russell was also New Zealand's | | | | Lodge is something special. |
| capital for a brief period. | | | | Day 14. |
| Accessed by a short ferry ride from Paihia, Russell is | | | | Today your New Zealand itinerary takes you to |
| now a charming sea side village with various | | | | Whakatane (2.5 hours drive). Located on the eastern |
| waterfront cafes and craft shops. | | | | side of the Bay of plenty, Whakatane offers visitors |
| * take a kayak trip in the bay. Calm, clear waters are | | | | all that is good about the Bay of Plenty. Here you |
| ideal for kayaking and there are a number of | | | | can go whale watching, swimming with dolphins, deep |
| operators offering guided kayak tours. | | | | sea fishing, visit the active volcanic White Island, |
| Day 5. | | | | mountain bike and hike. |
| Today your New Zealand itinerary takes you south | | | | Day 15. |
| from the Bay of Islands to the equally picturesque | | | | Gisborne, located on the east coast, is a 3.5 hour |
| Coromandels (5 hours drive). | | | | drive. |
| The Coromandel Peninsula extends north for 85 | | | | Located at the north end of Poverty Bay, Gisborne |
| kilometres from the western end of the Bay of | | | | can lay claim, at least for part of the year, to being |
| Plenty. 40 kilometres wide at it's broadest point, the | | | | the first city in the world to see the morning sun. |
| peninsula shelters the Hauraki Gulf. Auckland lies on | | | | Gisborne has a wide range of accommodation, and |
| the western side of the gulf and can be seen in fine | | | | lots to see and do. Deep sea fishing, trout fishing, |
| weather. | | | | diving, kayaking, heli tours, hiking, rafting, wine tours, |
| Check in to your hotel and then you are free to | | | | and steam train journeys are just some of the |
| explore. | | | | activities available in Gisborne and surrounds. |
| Day 6. | | | | Day 16. |
| Perhaps one of the most popular and unusual | | | | Today, your New Zealand itinerary takes you to the |
| attractions in the Coromandels, is Hot Water Beach. | | | | art deco town of Napier (3 hours drive). |
| A natural hot water spring at the Southern end of | | | | Napier is located on beautiful Hawke's Bay, and has a |
| the beach is accessible only two hours each side of | | | | population of around 60,000. Perhaps best known for |
| low tide. The water can be very hot, and finding a | | | | the 1931 earthquake which levelled the town centre, |
| spot at the right temperature can be a challenge, | | | | Napier was rebuilt in the Art Deco style of the time, |
| particularly on an incoming tide. | | | | and now hosts an annual Art Deco weekend each |
| The region is well known for its beautiful beaches, | | | | February, which attracts thousands to the area. |
| and Cathedral Cove is one of the better known | | | | Day 17. |
| spots. The beach has two parts, linked by a cave | | | | There is lots to see and do in Napier and surrounds. |
| (Cathedral Cove), and is reached via a well kept | | | | Gorging and mountain biking are popular, but visitors |
| track. The journey takes around 45 minutes. | | | | can also take scenic tours, visit local wineries (the |
| Thames, the largest settlement on the peninsula, has | | | | famous Gimblett Gravels wine region), and enjoy |
| an old world feel, and the architecture in the main | | | | Napier, hailed as a "Gourmet Food and Wine" |
| street is very 1900s. If you are interested in the | | | | destination. |
| region's history, Thames Historical Museum is well | | | | The region has lots to offer visitors, and like most |
| worth a visit. | | | | kiwi destinations, provides wonderful photo |
| Day 7. | | | | opportunities (make sure that you have a large |
| Today your New Zealand itinerary takes you from | | | | capacity memory card on your camera). |
| the Coromandels to the seaside resort of Mt | | | | Day 18. |
| Maunganui (2.5 hours drive). Located on the Bay of | | | | Today on your New Zealand itinerary you travel to |
| Plenty, Mt Maunganui has some of New Zealand's | | | | New Zealand's capital, Wellington (4.5 hours drive). |
| best surf beaches. | | | | Check in to your accommodation and relax for the |
| There is a wide range of accommodation in Mount | | | | afternoon. |
| Maunganui, with beach front location recommended. | | | | Days 19 & 20. |
| There is also plenty to see and do in the area. | | | | Set on the edge of an amazing harbour, and |
| Whale watching and swimming with the dolphins gives | | | | surrounded by rolling hills, Wellington is a beautiful, |
| you a chance to get close to local marine life, and | | | | bustling city of around 200,000. Wellington is also the |
| there are a number of tours available in the area. | | | | departure point for the Interislander ferry, linking |
| A "must see" is White Island, located in the Bay of | | | | Wellington with the South Island port of Picton. |
| Plenty. White Island is made up of three volcanic | | | | Wellington is home to the Museum of New Zealand |
| cones, and is one of New Zealand's most active | | | | Te Papa Tongarewa. Located on the waterfront in |
| volcanoes. Tours to the island can be made by boat | | | | downtown Wellington, Te Papa offers visitors a |
| or helicopter, and can include a crater walk if desired. | | | | unique collection of arts and exhibitions which |
| Hard hats and gas masks are supplied, and although | | | | showcase New Zealand's proud heritage, culture, and |
| tremors are common, the last major eruption was in | | | | growth. Te Papa is not to be missed. If museums are |
| 2000. There have been no eruptions while visitors | | | | your thing, Wellington also offers the Colonial Cottage |
| have been on the island. The steam from the island is | | | | Museum, the New Zealand Cricket Museum, the |
| often visible from the mainland. | | | | Museum of Wellington, the Wellington Cable Car |
| Day 8. | | | | Museum, the Bank of New Zealand Museum, and the |
| Today your New Zealand itinerary takes you inland | | | | Bedplate Press Printing Museum. Something for |
| to the thermal resort of Rotorua (1.5 hours drive). | | | | everyone. |
| Rotorua is one of New Zealand's major tourist | | | | A great way to view Wellington is by cable car. The |
| attractions, and apart from the thermal attractions, | | | | car travels from Lambton Quay in the city centre, to |
| the area is also well known for its Maori cultural | | | | the top of Upland Road, where you will find the |
| displays. | | | | lookout, an observatory, and the Cable Car Museum. |
| Rotorua is located on the bank's of Lake Rotorua, | | | | From the lookout you take in spectacular views of |
| which is the North Island's second largest lake at 80 | | | | the city centre and harbour. Cable cars depart every |
| square kilometres. | | | | 10 minutes and you can take a car back down to the |
| Find a hotel, and relax for the evening. | | | | city, or walk down through gardens and the historic |
| Day 9. | | | | Bolton Street cemetery, emerging near the New |
| Today on your New Zealand itinerary you are free to | | | | Zealand Parliament. |
| explore Rotorua. There is lots to see and do in | | | | Along with the usual New Zealand activities such as |
| Rotorua, and your time there will be one of the | | | | hikes, kayaking, mountain biking, and bungy jumping, |
| highlights of your New Zealand itinerary. | | | | Wellington offers visitors: winery tours, an endless |
| Perhaps the main attraction is Te Puia, the New | | | | supply of restaurants, bars, and cafes, 4wd tours, |
| Zealnd Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, which includes | | | | seal colonies, and much more. |
| Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley. Attracting over | | | | Day 21. |
| half a million visitors annually, this is one of New | | | | Unfortunately all good things must end, and today |
| Zealand's main tourist attractions. Here you will see | | | | you fly home. |
| Maori cultural displays, Maori arts and crafts, including | | | | We hope that you enjoyed this North Island New |
| intricate carvings, a fully carved wharenui (meeting | | | | Zealand itinerary, and that you return one day to see |
| house), and the world famous Pohutu geyser. | | | | the rest of this wonderful country. |
| Other points of interest in Rotorua are: | | | | |