9 Day North Island Sampler
9 Day North Island Sampler
This 9 day North Island sampler tour will visit regions such as the winterless North and the Bay of Islands, beautiful and relaxed Coromandel, intriguing Rotorua, and Taupo. Experience the diversity and beauty of these places and indulge in some of the unique activities and sights these regions have to offer.
Highlights
Waiheke Wine Tour Cape Reinga Hole in the rock cruise Bay of Islands Hobbiton and Waitomo Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland Maori village cultural experience Huka Falls Jet
Regions Visited
Itinerary Map
This 9 day North Island sampler tour will visit regions such as the winterless North and the Bay of Islands, beautiful and relaxed Coromandel, intriguing Rotorua, and Taupo. Experience the diversity and beauty of these places and indulge in some of the unique activities and sights these regions have to offer.
Terms and Conditions
Prices are based on twin share occupancy in a double room, and are subject to availability. If anything comes back unavailable, we will endeavor to find you a suitable alternative.
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Day 1 : Auckland
Welcome to Auckland and New Zealand. On arrival you will be picked up at the airport and transferred to your first night’s accommodation, where you will recceive your detailed tour information pack.
Take the rest of the day to relax and explore the inner city. The city centre of Auckland is not too big, so you can easily walk around. Visit the Skytower to take in great views of the city, and stroll around the waterfront with its many nice bars and restaurants where you can enjoy a great meal.
Hotel : Grand Millennium Hotel Auckland
Motel : YHA motel.
Day 2 : Auckland
Your North Island coach tours begins with a tour of Auckland's scenic city highlights, followed by an afternoon tasting world-class wines amid the beautiful surroundings of Waiheke Island. Starting in the central city, travel over the iconic Auckland Harbour Bridge, enjoying views of the harbour and city skyline. Visit the Viaduct Harbour and bustling Queen Street, and explore the Auckland Domain, the city's oldest park.
Following your morning city tour, enjoy a 40-minute ferry ride across the Waitemata Harbour to Waiheke Island, a haven of beaches, eateries and boutique vineyards. Upon arrival you'll be picked up by luxury coach and whisked away on a guided tour of three of Waiheke's premier wineries – Mudbrick Estate, Cable Bay and Te Motu.
Hotel : Grand Millennium Hotel Auckland
Day 3-4-5 : Bay of Islands
You'll cross the harbour bridge going north. Northland is a region with a abundance of marine life, subtropical climate and pristine beaches, but is also a region with historical significance.
Paihia will be your base to explore the Bay of Islands. Upon your arrival, you will take the ferry to explore the picturesque seaside town of Russell. You'll have the rest of the day off on your return.
On the second day up north, you'll travel to the very top of New Zealand, Cape Reinga (Te Rerenga Wairua). Uncover the wild beauty of this vast and untouched region that is rich in Māori culture and tradition. Your driver guide also doubles as a story teller, sharing the stories of this significant site where, according to Māori legend, spirits depart on their journey home to Hawaiki. Enjoy spectacular panoramic views, visit the iconic light house, and see the point where the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean come crashing together. Ninety Mile Beach is another highlight of the tour – you'll drive along the sand as waves crash beside the custom-built coach. Feel the sand between your toes as you help your driver guide dig for shellfish (conditions permitting).
Before your journey back to Auckland, you will join the Hole in the Rock cruise in the morning with dolphin viewing. You'll board the Dolphin Seeker, a purpose built catamaran licensed by the Department of Conservation for dolphin and whale viewing. Enjoy the large outdoor viewing decks as we cruise past the islands of the Bay. Keep a look out for common and bottlenose dolphins, whales and other marine life as our experienced local skippers get you up close to the action. Cruise past the Cape Brett Lighthouse, before arriving at the majestic Hole in the Rock. Admire the rock walls towering above you as the skipper navigates right through the narrow space (conditions permitting) before heading back into the inner islands of the Bay.
When you set foot on land again, you return to Auckland in the evening.
Hotel : Scenic Hotel.
Motel : Pahia Bayview
Travelling distance : 227 km - Travelling time : approximately 3 hrs.
Click map to enlarge
Day 5 : Bay of Island- Auckland
You will be returning from the Bay of Islands around 8pm.
Hotel : Grand Millennium Hotel.
Motel : YHA motel.
Travelling distance : 227 km - Travelling time : approximately 3 hrs.
Click map to enlarge
Day 6 : Auckland- Rotorua
Today you're heading south, and once you pass the Bombay hills you'll be passing through the green pastures of the mighty Waikato. These lush farmlands were chosen as the location for the Shire in the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit films, and are located not far outside the town of Matamata. Here you will spend a few hours on a Hobbiton tour.
Your next stop is at the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, a network of underground tunnels and caves made from incredible limestone formations. Set off on a 45-minute guided tour of the caves, ending with a truly special boat trip through the Glowworm Grotto, where glowworms twinkle and shine overhead as you sail through a dark and silent cavern.
Rotorua is also nicknamed Roto Vegas by Kiwis for the amount of attractions it has. The main attractions are Maori culture and amazing geothermal activity. The region also has many beautiful lakes to explore. World-class biking trails, excellent hiking traills, natural hot streams, luxurious spas, a whole range of adventure activities such as rafting, sledging, jetboating, zorbing, racing down a steep hill in a luge, Rotorua won't bore you.
Motel : Millenium Rotorua.
Motel : Bella Vista.
Travelling distance : 228km - Travelling time approximately : 2 hr. 50 mins
Click map to enlarge
Day 7 : Rotorua
Spend a day to enjoy all that Rotorua has to offer. Relax and soak yourself into a luxurious Polynesian Spa, visit the Wai-O-Tapu geothermal wonderland, or why don't you try one of the numerous and unique adventure activities on offer.
At night you will attend a memorable cultural Maori village experience, and will feast on a traditional Maori cooked dinner, the Hangi.
Motel : Millenium Rotorua.
Motel : Bella Vista
Day 8 : Rotorua - Taupo
The journey to Rotorua to Taupo is only about an hour this morning. About 2 kms north of Taupo, a must see are the impressive Huka Falls. This is where the Waikato River, New Zealand's longest river, enters a shallow ravine of hard volcanic rock. The resulting sight is nothing but spectacular. More than 220,000 liters of water per second rushes by.
A thrilling jetboat ride up to the base of the Huka Falls is not only an exciting way to see the falls, but you'll also get the best views.
Hotel : Heritage Reef Resort.
Motel : Bella Vista Taupo.
Travelling distance : 82 km - Travelling time : approximately 1 hour
Click map to enlarge
Day 9 : Taupo - Auckland
You'll have the morning in Taupo at your leisure, before your journeys ends and you return to Auckland.
Travelling distance : 274 km - Travelling time : approximately 3 hrs 30 mins
Click map to enlarge
NZD3,196.00
Price includes
- Complimentary airport transfers
- Detailed tour pack upon arrival at first night's accommodation.
- All coach and transfers
- 8 Nights Accommodation.
- Auckland City Sights and Waiheke Wine Tour.
- 3 Day 2 Night package Bay of islands
- Hobbiton Experience + Waitomo.
- Maori Village cultural performance and dinner.
- Taupo Huka Falls Jet.
Cancellation policy
- Where the date of cancellation is a date 45 days or more before the start of the tour, the cancellation fee will be equivalent to the deposit paid
- Where the date of cancellation is a date 30 to 45 days before the start of the tour the cancellation fee shall be 25% of the contract price
- Where the date of cancellation is a date 7 to 30 days before the start of the tour the cancellation fee shall be 50% of the contract price
- Where the date of cancellation is a date 7 days or less before the start of the tour the cancellation fee shall be 100% of the contract price
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