Northern Highlights - Overland Trip

Accommodation

We use different forms of accommodation on our tours: Hotels, Lodges, Farm stays and Camping. This allows us to get the most out of the areas we travel. There are opportunities to upgrade to \'chalets\' in some camp grounds when available. These upgrades are booked en-route and are payable on confirmation. All accommodation is based on twin share unless circumstances dictate a change in room configuration.

Kitty Notes

In addition to the tour price there is a Local Tour Payment, which is paid to your Tour Leader at the beginning of each tour - in NZ$ cash only. This is part of your overall tour cost and is used to cover three meals a day whilst camping and accommodation as per itinerary on tour.
Please refer to our website for a full list of optional excursions.

Itineraries (Auckland - Wellington)

NORTHERN HIGHLIGHTS
6 Days Auckland to Wellington
Price: GBP£350 + NZD$210 LTP

WHAT\'S INCLUDED
Accommodation: Hotels – Camping - Farm stays – lodges
Camping equipment: 3 person dome tents + sleeping mattresses
Meals: All meals while camping, most other breakfasts and lunches
Transport: Overland Vehicle
Staff: Tour Leader / Driver + Local Guides
Mountain Bikes
On board library

Maori Concert and Hangi
Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach
Winery Bike Tour


HIGHLIGHTS:
Auckland - Coromandel Peninsula – Hahei – Rotorua - Authentic Maori Hangi - Thermal Wonderland - Napier – Hastings - Wellington

TOUR ITINERARY - 6 DAYS

Day 1: Auckland to Hahei:
Our first stop today as we leave Leigh is to the 'city of sails' - Auckland. We take advantage of the views from the top of Mount Eden, which is 196m high and the closest volcano to the city centre. From up here you come to terms with how this city was made from volcanic forces. 'One Tree Hill' is another land mark that you will see. The first thing you will notice is that it's a hill with no trees - as over the years, the one tree was subject to a number of vandalized attacks before being officially cut down in 1999. We now make our way east on the 'Pacific Coast Highway' to one of New Zealand's popular beach holiday destinations, Hahei on the Coromandel Peninsula with its beautiful sandy beaches, crashing surf, rock strewn shorelines and huge Pohutukawa trees. We make ourselves comfortable here for two nights.

Day 2: Hahei:
Today we have the day to either explore the local area: Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach or just relax on the beach. You can take a leisurely walk out to the very famous Cathedral Cove or an optional half morning kayaking trip to take in the sights of this majestic rock formation. Other optional activities that can be enjoyed are snorkelling and diving.

Day 3: Hahei to Rotorua:
Our day starts off with a scenic drive South via more popular white sand beaches of the Coromandel Peninsula. We then cross the heart of New Zealand's dairy farms on our way to a geothermal wonderland - Rotorua. Rotorua is the thermal and volcanic capital of New Zealand, and offers endless amounts of sights and activities you can participate in. You are free to explore Rotorua as you wish. You can soak away at the Polynesian Natural Thermal Pools, ride the Skyline gondola followed by a luge ride back down, or take in the spectacular wildlife amid trees and ferns at Rainbow Springs. There is also plenty of water based activities, like kayaking and rafting, or take a walking/cycle trail through the redwood forest that stands at the end of town. We then venture back in time to a Maori Village for a cultural experience of a life time, and this evening enjoy a traditional concert and Hangi (dinner cooked on hot stones in an earth oven).

Day 4: Rotorua to Hawkes Bay via Taupo:
This morning we take the 'Thermal Highway South.'. We can take an optional trip to the astonishing volcanic craters at Wai-O-Tapu Valley, where you can walk past the worlds largest hot springs. We will make one more stop before we reach Lake Taupo at the base of the Huka falls. Here you will see the equivalent of two Olympic size swimming pools of water tumbling over the falls every second. A short drive brings us to Lake Taupo - New Zealand's largest lake covering 619sq km, Lake Taupo was formed in AD186 by the biggest volcanic eruption in the last 5,000 years. The amount of ash that was spewed into the air was seen in China and Rome. The view across the Lake is something not to be missed with its wide open spaces, snow capped mountains and clear blue water. We then drive South East to Hawkes Bay.
*Possible upgrade available here.

Day 5: Hawkes Bay:
Hawkes Bay is New Zealand's leading food and wine region. Hawkes Bay is home to the oldest winemaker and producer of award-winning red wines. Hawkes Bay is also renowned for its world-class concentration of Art Deco Architecture, a result of rebuilding after a devastating earthquake in 1931. Your day could start off with an optional early morning hot air balloon flight over the Hawkes Bay.if the budget allows! You then have a choice to join in on a Winery Bike Tour or there is a selection of optional activities to choose from to fill your day. You could spend your day at Napier's Splash Planet Theme and Water Park, take an adrenaline pumping River Gorging trip, take a tractor ride to visit the Gannet Colony or simply take a guided walk of Napier's Art Deco Architecture. Tonight we realx after a full day.
*Possible upgrade available here.

Day 6: Hawkes Bay to Wellington
Our journey continues south through Tararua, past the' World Famous in New Zealand' Mangatainoka's Tui Brewery and the Manawatu Gorge before we hit the capital of New Zealand. Wellington enjoys a small town atmosphere and is noted for its art and café culture. Your tour now comes to an end.