North Island Experience Tour
This exceptional North Island tour has it all - superb coastline
and beaches, hot springs and thermals, lakes and mountains,
Maori culture, history and Art Deco architecture. It's not
all rush and no relaxation though; throw in some of the
best dining and wineries in New Zealand and you've got the
best tour on the North Island!
12 day tour - Variable pricing
|
 |
![View the tour brochure [PDF] 5.2mb](graphics/tab_tourpdf.gif "View the tour brochure [PDF] 2.7mb") |
Auckland - Start your trip
in New Zealand's most cosmopolitan city. Stroll through Queen
Street, enjoy some of the best dining in New Zealand and cruise
magnificent Waitemata Harbour, the 'heart' of the city. You don't
have to be a yachtsman to appreciate the City of Sails - but it
helps!
 Coromandel
Peninsula - You'll quickly see why New Zealanders flock
here on holiday. The serenity attracts 'alternative lifestylers'
away from Auckland but the rest come for the North Island's best
beaches and coastal scenery. With a backdrop of rugged, green-forested
mountains the views over the offshore islands are incredible.
What better way to end the day than swim in crystal clear blue
water, then dig a hole in the sand at Hot Water Beach and relax
in your own sandy hot water spa!
 Rotorua
- One of NZ's best known tourist spots, the steaming crevices,
mud pools and hot springs lead to healing thermal baths. It's
an important cultural centre for the Maori and one of the most
accessible to outsiders. The culture is alive in their arts and
crafts, architecture and in traditional songs and dance.
Bay of Plenty & Poverty Bay
- The highest proportion of sunshine days in the whole of the
country makes this one of NZ's best agricultural regions. The
beaches are not too shabby either and you can immerse yourself
further in Maori culture in a region where the dialect is spoken
daily.
 Napier
- It's famous as one of the best examples of an Art Deco city
anywhere in the world but there's so much more! Friendly people,
great restaurants, a beautiful marine parade and superb coastal
setting is topped by a mild Mediterranean climate. Do you need
another reason to visit? OK, how about the famous Hawke's Bay
wineries, over 30 of which offer cellar tastings? Or the gourmet
culinary delights prepared with the freshest ingredients and handmade
with care?
Lake Taupo - The largest
lake in New Zealand was created around 25,000 years ago by one
of the biggest volcanic eruptions in history. Now the self-proclaimed
trout fishing capital of the world, you can also enjoy more adventurous
activities such as white water rafting, jet boating, bungy jumping
or skydiving if luring trout with imitation flies are not your
thing. Or simply enjoy the scenery and magnificent Huka Falls.
 Mt
Tongariro National Park - South of Lake Taupo lies the
central plateau and the Kaimanawa Mountains. A ride along the
famous 'Desert Road' brings you to Mt Tongariro National Park,
NZ's first national park proclaimed in 1887. The three still-active
volcanoes tower over the landscape and are an area of spiritual
significance for the Maori. The park offers excellent hiking in
summer and great skiing in winter. Mt Ruapehu is the highest of
the 3 peaks while Mt Tongariro gives the park its name. Mt Ngauruhoe
'starred' as Mt Doom in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy
while the park featured as Mordor.
Taranaki - Today you'll hit
Surf Highway 45 on your way to one of the lesser-travelled regions
of New Zealand. Mt Taranaki's 2,518m high volcanic cone dominates
the landscape. New Plymouth is an affluent deep water port and
a hub for NZ's offshore oil and gas industry. The Govett-Brewster
Art Gallery is one of the country's finest and there is an abundance
of colonial and Maori historic sights. For nature lovers there's
Sugar Loaf Islands Marine Park.
 Waikato
- Rolling hillsides, green fields and the mighty Waikato River
will be your companions today. While the region looks much like
England and was cast as the 'Shire' in The Lord of the Rings
films it is a stronghold of Maoridom too. You'll have a chance
to see the glow-worms in the magical Waitomo Caves or have an
adrenaline-fueled underground adventure such as black-water rafting
on the subterranean rivers in the cave system, abseiling or rock
climbing. You'll overnight in Hamilton which, despite being landlocked
in an area known best for farming, is surprisingly sophisticated
with some great bars and restaurants and 50 hectares of top-notch
botanical gardens on the banks of the Waikato. Cruise the river
on an 1870s replica paddlesteamer or take an early morning hot
air balloon flight, there's enough to keep you busy!
Bay of Islands - From farming
country to subtropical coastline - the contrast couldn't be greater
but that's part of what makes the North Island unique! Turquoise
water, lovely beaches and some 150 undeveloped islands makes this
one of NZ's top tourist areas. You'll find all sorts of aquatic
pursuits so be ready to get wet - or out on a boat at least! It's
also an area of great historical significance as it was one of
the first parts to be settled by migrations from Polynesia and
the site of the first permanent European settlement.
 Cape
Reinga - The remote far north is wort a visit, with spectacular
deserted beaches and that feeling of reaching the end of the world
you can only get from the tip of a large landmass. Cape Reinga
is also one of the most sacred sites for the Maori.
Kauri Coast - You'll return
to Auckland via the undeveloped west coast, visiting the Waipoua
Kauri forest on the way. This forest sanctuary with its giant
kauri trees is all that remains of the magnificent kauri forests
that once covered the entire far north.
|
