Itinerary
Day 1: Auckland - Tauranga [L]
Departing Auckland early in the morning you will travel south towards New Zealand's favorite summer destination - the Bay of Plenty. Along the way you
will visit Paeroa, famous for its L&P drink, the Karangahake Gorge, the gold mining region Waihi and the mural town of Katikati. Lunch will be taken at a typical New Zealand restaurant.
We stop at the Minden scenic lookout, then try some great local wine at the award winning Mills Reef Winery.
Arriving in Tauranga, you will go on a tour of The Elms – Tauranga's former
Mission Station, before checking in at the Oceanside Resort, located across from Mt. Maunganui's famous ocean beach. The evening is free for you to enjoy.
Accommodation: Oceanside Resort.
Day 2: Tauranga - Rotorua [B,L & D]
We make an early start to Te Puke, the kiwifruit capital of the world. Take a Kiwi cart tour around the
orchard to learn about this amazing fruit.
Option: There is time if you wish to take a thrilling jet boat ride along the Kaituna River.
Our next stop is the geothermal region
of Rotorua. Steaming hot water geysers, boiling mud pools and monuments of the Maori culture are to be found all over the city. You will visit a thermal village and enjoy lunch at a historic
venue in the Government Gardens. The afternoon can be spent in one of the hot spas, trout fishing on Lake Rotorua or by just looking through the many art and crafts shops.
In the
evening you will be taken for a night of entertainment at the award winning Tamaki Maori village, set deep in the forest. Step back in time and learn about Maori customs and culture, then enjoy a
traditional Hangi feast.
Accommodation: Hotel Ibis Rotorua
Day 3: Rotorua – Waitomo – Auckland [B & L]
The morning will be spent in Rotorua. See New Zealand's iconic Kiwi
bird plus many other native birds in a subtropical setting at Rainbow Springs. Take the gondola up Mount Ngongotaha and enjoy morning tea overlooking Lake Rotorua. Following the farm show
and lunch at the Agrodome we will leave Rotorua, crossing the Waikato farming district to Waitomo, to see the fascinating Waitomo Glowworm Caves, before heading back to Auckland.
B, L & D in brackets show which meals are included each day. |
