North Island Indulgence
| From Auckland to Auckland |
14 days |
View Prices |
Highlights:
- The Far North's historic Bay of Islands & Kauri Coast
- Glowworms, limestone caves at Waitomo
- Rotorua's mud pools, geysers, Maori culture
- Art deco Napier and the Hawkes Bay wine region
- Optional country farmstay on a traditional sheep farm
- Smoking volcanoes in the Tongariro National Park
- Lake Taupo, NZ's largest, most famous trout fishing lake
- Auckland's harbour & Wellington's Te Papa Museum
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Your tour will be organised over the dates you require.
All tour itineraries may be amended for any duration to suit you.
Tours are suitable for 1-4 persons and children 12 years and over.
We will help you have the best self drive vacation possible!
Itinerary:
Day 1 - Arrive Auckland
Welcome to the 'City of Sails'.
You will be met by our representative on arrival and receive your travel documents before transferring to your central city accommodation.
New Zealand's largest city is spread around 48 dormant volcanoes. With its scenic harbours and beaches, Auckland is host to a huge range of water sports especially around the islands of the Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park.
Relax on a harbour cruise or ferry ride to delightful Devonport, visit eclectic Viaduct Basin site of the America's Cup village, enjoy the amazing views and Auckland skyline from atop the Sky Tower.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 2 - Auckland - Bay of Islands
(approx 4:15 hours driving time)
Your rental vehicle will be delivered this morning.
Begin your journey travelling to the beautiful Bay of Islands one of our most popular holiday regions with its bush clad islands, transparent waters and white sandy beaches.
This is the cradle of European settlement in New Zealand. You can visit many fine historic buildings and sites including the Treaty House and Kerikeri's famous old stone store.
Take a cruise out through the famous Hole in the Rock or experience the thrill of swimming with dolphins in this stunning maritime playground.
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Day 3 - Bay of Islands
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Day 4 - Bay of Islands - Waipoua Kauri Forest - Auckland
(approx 5:00 hours driving time)
Return down the Kauri Coast passing the long indented Hokianga Harbour with its turbulent bar which has claimed many a vessel.
Follow the Wairoa River from Dargaville to Kaipara Harbour, our largest harbour and once the busiest waterway in the country shipping out kauri timber and gum. See New Zealand's largest living trees in the Waipoua Forest and visit the Kauri Museum at Matakohe to learn about the gum-diggers.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 5 - Auckland – Waitomo – Rotorua
(approx 6:00 hours driving time)
Continue your journey south to Rotorua New Zealand’s cultural capital, via the Waitomo Caves where you can take a subterranean boat excursion to see the glowworms amongst the sculpted limestone caves.
In Rotorua you can stand on active volcanoes, massive craters, see boiling mud pools, exploding geysers, a traditional Maori village buried by volcanic ash and the sacred green and blue lakes, as well as experience traditional Maori culture and entertainment.
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Day 6 - Rotorua
Activity: Evening Maori Cultural Experience including Hangi (Dinner)
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Day 7 - Rotorua - Taupo - Napier
(approx 4:00 hours driving time)
Travel through expansive exotic forests and pass enthralling thermal activity before your leisurely drive into the heart of the Hawkes Bay wine growing region and the city of Napier with its classic and colourful art deco architecture.
Follow the wine trails, sample award-winning vintages or visit Cape Kidnappers gannet colony.
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Day 8 - Napier
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Day 9 - Napier - Wellington
(approx 5:00 hours driving time)
Today you will pass through some of New Zealand's most substantial agricultural areas before arriving in Wellington.
Our capital city is set on a magnificent harbour ringed by hills. Take in the views from the top of the Cable Car, visit Te Papa Tongarewa the spectacular national museum, and see Parliament Buildings with its unique 'Beehive'. This is a vibrant cosmopolitan city offering a myriad of restaurants, bars, entertainment and shopping.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 10 - Wellington
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 11 - Wellington - optional Country Farmstay or Taupo
(approx 5:00 hours driving time)
Enjoy the drive northwards along the sea coast and through quintessential North Island hill country enroute to your country farmstay. You will experience the warm hospitality of New Zealand's heartland on your traditional sheep and cattle farm.
Should you choose to continue to Taupo your journey will take you up onto the central plateau and the Tongariro National Park with its live smoking volcanoes.
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Day 12 - optional Country Farmstay - Taupo
(approx 2:00 hours driving time)
Taupo township is located beside sparkling Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake, renown for its trout fishing.
Unwind in the thermal hot pools. Take a lake cruise and perhaps catch a trout. Close by view the Wairakei geothermal village and famous Huka Falls.
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Day 13 - Taupo - Auckland
(approx 4:00 hours driving time)
Your leisurely journey back to Auckland is via the timber towns of Putaruru and Tokoroa and Cambridge with its international horse studs in rolling farmland.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 14 - Auckland
Last minute shopping is definitely on the agenda. A visit to Parnell's boutiques will delight, before you return your rental vehicle and catch your departure flight.
Tour Price (per person)
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| Style |
Quality |
Superior |
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Share Twin
(NZ$) |
Single
(NZ$) |
Share Twin
(NZ$) |
Single
(NZ$) |
| Car - Compact |
POA |
$5320 |
POA |
$7800 |
| Car - Intermediate |
$2892 |
$5455 |
$4200 |
$7934 |
| Car - Full Size |
$3116 |
POA |
$4425 |
POA |
| 4WD - Intermediate |
$3154 |
POA |
$4458 |
POA |
Prices are valid to 31 May 2011.
Whats Included:
- Meet & Greet and transfer to hotel on arrival
- Automatic compact, intermediate, full size car or intermediate 4WD
- Quality style - Quality Bed & Breakfasts/mid-range hotels
- Superior style - Superior Bed & Breakfasts/superior class hotels
- Evening Maori cultural experience with hangi (dinner)
- Optional country farmstay
- New Zealand touring information - distances, times and directions, map
Prices are in New Zealand dollars and include 15% GST (Government Goods & Services Tax). Click Here for an online currency converter to convert prices to your own currency (approximate only).
POA - Price on application.
Prices are available for three and four persons travelling together in an automatic full size car, intermediate 4WD or people mover/minivan. Please enquire.
A revision fee of NZ$40 per amended itinerary day is charged for any part of the itinerary which you require to be changed. Additional days in the arrival and departure cities do not incurr a revision fee.
Optional country farmstay dinner - NZ$60 per person, additional charge.
1 June 2011 - 31 May 2012 prices provided on request.
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View More Meet New Zealand Self Drive Tour Selections
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South & North Island - Christchurch to Auckland
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Special Interest
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