New Zealand Odyssey – North to South Islands

Itinerary

• Day 1
  You’ll fly to Auckland, New Zealand via the UAE.
• Day 2
  Today will be spent travelling to Auckland with a stop-over at Dubai airport.
• Day 3
  Touch down on New Zealand’s North Island this morning and meet your local tour manager before transferring to your centrally located hotel, beneath the Sky Tower. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to settle in.
• Day 4
  Join your tour manager after breakfast for an introduction to New Zealand’s pretty former capital, Auckland. Start the day’s exploration at Bastion Point, a scenic point which promises panoramic views of the harbours below, and see Savage Memorial, which commemorates the country’s first Labour Prime Minister. Next, continue along Tāmaka Drive for a stop in stylish Parnell, soaking up views of sandy Okahu Bay Beach and the leafy suburban stretches of Judges’ Bay along the way. Amongst Parnell’s upscale boutiques and trendy bars, you’ll get a taste for the city’s enduring European influences as you drive past its colonial-era buildings. The Viaduct Harbour is next, and you’ll learn why Auckland is often referred to as the ‘City of Sails’ with its bustling wharves and yacht-lined quays. From here, you’ll be within walking distance of your hotel and will have the rest of the afternoon at leisure to explore the area’s pretty waterside promenades, bustling restaurants and shops.
• Day 5
  Following breakfast, check out and drive north through idyllic stretches of coastal farmland to Warkworth’s Parry Kauri Park. This magnificent reserve is home to hundreds of ancient kauri, a resilient tree species which are native to the North Island. You can take in the towering McKinney Kauri, which numbers amongst the oldest trees in New Zealand, whilst discovering the trees’ significance in Māori culture. You’ll then travel to coastal Paihia, considered by many to be the birthplace of New Zealand. Nestled on the Bay of Islands, a web of 144 smaller islets connected by shallow waters, few destinations boast as picturesque a location as this delightful seaside town. Visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, one of the most significant sites in Aotearoa (Māori New Zealand). Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed by your guide and will discover the significance of this historic site with an escorted tour. As you explore the marae, the focal point of local tribes, you’ll learn about the first agreements between the British Empire and Māori tribes which laid the foundation for co-habitation of the two islands. You’ll also have the chance to admire the striking facades of the marae’s carved meeting house, discover the Ngātokimatawhaorua, the world’s largest ceremonial waka (war canoe), and see the area’s history unfold at Waitangi’s interactive museum. Later, drive to your nearby hotel with its waterfront location.
• Day 6
  Rise early this morning, have breakfast at the hotel and head out for a cruise around the Bay of Islands, with its 144 subtropical islets. Begin at Cape Brett, home to rugged granite cliffs and a famous hilltop lighthouse which has stood watch over Otuwangha Island for over a century. Though its lighthouse is a recent addition, Cape Brett has guided sailors to New Zealand’s shores for over a millennium with its crystalline rocks glittering in the sunlight. Continuing north, you’ll arrive at Piercy Island, also known as Motu Kōkako, home to the striking Grand Cathedral Cave or the ‘Hole in the Rock’. This striking 60-foot sea cave acts as a tunnel through the southern tip of the island and your boat will pass through (weather permitting). As you glide across the water, watch the waves for the marine wildlife that thrives beneath the surface, from manta rays to migratory orcas. Call at Urupukapuka Island, the largest of the bay’s islands, for some free time to explore. If you like a closer look at New Zealand’s pretty coastal landscapes, venture out on one of the island’s scenic walking trails, or perhaps unwind with ocean views at its beachfront café. You’ll then have the choice to return to Paihia or continue with a ferry ride to the coastal town of Russell (payable locally).
• Day 7
  Having enjoyed breakfast, leave Paihia behind and head back south toward the delightful spa town of Rotorua, soaking up views of Auckland’s lush farmland and charming rural towns as you go. Cross the Bombay Hills, which mark the border between the Auckland and Waikato regions, before passing through picturesque Matamata, the gateway to the iconic Hobbiton film set. Drive along the leafy country roads of Fitzgerald’s Glade and the Mamaku Plateau before arriving in Rotorua. After checking into your new hotel, join your tour manager for a brief orientation tour of the town, with time to view Lake Rotorua and the Government Gardens, a picturesque public park crowned by the impressive Rotorua Museum building. From here, you’ll be free to discover more of the town at leisure, unwind amongst the gardens’ lush scenery or head back to the hotel.
• Day 8
  Enjoy breakfast this morning ahead of a morning under your own steam, perhaps with a visit to the hotel’s spa or a stroll along the lake’s waterfront. Alternatively, you can join an optional excursion to the original Hobbiton filming set used in Peter Jackson’s cinematic adaptations of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. At Matamata, you’ll enter the 1,250-acre sheep farm that helped bring the Shire to life, calling first at the popular Hobbiton Sign for a brief photo stop. Accompanied by an expert guide, you can then walk around the Hobbiton set, a sprawling site spanning over 10 acres, which was purpose-built under Jackson’s instruction. See Bag End amongst the iconic hobbit holes, stop for a drink at the Green Dragon Inn and discover how Tolkien’s vision for Middle Earth was realised amongst the Waikato’s mountainous farmland. At the end of the tour, visit the Shire’s Rest café, before returning to Rotorua. This afternoon, an excursion to New Zealand’s National Kiwi Hatchery will showcase the invaluable impact of wildlife conservation. As you explore the sanctuary’s incubation centre, the world’s most successful kiwi hatchery, learn about the initiatives which aim to combat the threats to native kiwi, enjoying up-close views of the centre’s newest hatchlings. Your visit will also make a positive impact on kiwi conservation across New Zealand with all proceeds going towards rehabilitation projects. Rotorua’s spectacular geothermal park, Te Puia, will be your next stop today and you’ll experience the best of its dramatic landscapes on a guided evening tour. Descend into the Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley, where you’ll be immersed in silica terraces, colourful mud pools and steaming lakes. The undeniable highlight will be the Pohutu Geyser, a particularly active spout where you might even see an eruption in action. You’ll then settle in for the Te Po experience, highlighting the customs, local delicacies and rich cultural heritage of the region’s native tribes. Discover the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, where young local people keep the unique carving and weaving methods of their ancestors alive, and head to the park’s restaurant. After a traditional buffet dinner, enjoy live performances of a Māori waiata (song), a mōteata (ceremonial chant) and the famous haka in the park’s meeting house.
• Day 9
  Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departing through Kaingaroa’s, New Zealand’s largest pine tree forests. Your journey will pause at thundering Huka Falls, home to whitewater rapids and cascading waterfalls, before continuing south with another stop at the fishing town of Taupo, built on the country’s largest lake. You’ll then be treated to more picturesque natural landscapes crossing the Tongariro Volcanic Plateau, with its colourful alpine peaks. As you drive, your tour manager will point out the unmistakable cones of the region’s three active volcanoes, Tongariro, Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe. The final leg of today’s journey will feature panoramic views of the pretty Kapiti Coast and will conclude in Wellington, the stylish national capital. Built around a striking natural harbour, this delightful hilltop city is the political and culinary capital of New Zealand. On arrival in the city, you’ll have the chance to view its striking parliament buildings with a drive past the 20th-century Parliament House and the neighbouring ‘Beehive’, the executive wing of the country’s government. Cap the day’s exploration with a memorable view of the city – from above – on an easy-going cable car ride through Kelburn’s trendy suburbs and its hillside overlooks.
• Day Ten
  Draw your time on North Island to a close this morning with breakfast in Wellington before crossing the Cook Strait by ferry. During the sailing, you’ll soak up your first few sights of the South Island’s magnificent coastal vistas, passing through Marlborough Sounds, a vast series of drowned sea valleys. Later, moor at the lively harbour town of Picton before heading further inland aboard a coach through wine-making Blenheim. Here, you’ll stop at an award-winning winery where you’ll learn about Marlborough’s rapidly developing vineyards before sampling some of the finest local labels. You’ll then pass through the Rai Valley before reaching Nelson, New Zealand’s largest fishing port and a popular artists’ retreat on the exquisite Tasman Bay.