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Hahei Beach,
Coromandel
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Day 3 - Tairua
From Tairua it is an
easy drive to explore the beautiful Coromandel
Peninsula. One of New
Zealand's best kept scenic secrets the magnificent coastline has the
unique hot water beach has warm water just below the surface sand so you
can scoop your own spa.
Day 4 - Tairua -
Rotorua (220 km)
Visit Tauranga
and Mt.Maunganui in the
Bay of Plenty, the heart of "kiwi fruit" country. Sample the
local produce at Kiwifruit Country in Te Puke and visit the Auto Museum
before continuing on to the thermal capital of Rotorua. Spend the
afternoon exploring the local sights, visit Whakarewarewa, The Maori
Arts & Crafts Institute, Agrodome and Rainbow Springs.
Day 5 -
Rotorua - Napier (230 km)
Travel to
Taupo and stop at the Huka Falls and Wairakei Steam Valley, travel via
the shores of Lake Taupo, the North Islands largest lake and over to the
East Coast and Hawkes
Bay, another off the beaten track area for you to
explore. Napier is the art deco capital of the world and its unique
architecture is a must see.
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Lake Taupo
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Day 6 - Napier
The area around
Napier features some of New Zealand's best vineyards so spend some time
sampling the local produce. Another unique attraction in the area is the
large gannet colony located at Cape Kidnappers, a worthwhile excursion.
Day 7 - Napier -
Masterton (235 km)
Continue traveling
south through Hawkes Bay's grape and fruit growing areas to the Wairarapa province and the town of
Masterton.
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Napier City
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Day 8 - Masterton -
Wellington (100 km)
It is only a short
drive over the Rimutaka Ranges to the nations capital city, Wellington.
Day 9 - Wellington
Wellington,
New Zealand’s
capital city gains much of its character from its steep, hilly setting
overlooking a natural deep water harbour. The distinctive “Beehive”
Executive Office symbolises Wellington’s role as seat of Government,
and the cluster of high-rise office buildings are evidence of its
importance as a commercial centre. A cultural centre too, Wellington is
home to two professional theatre companies, the National Symphony
Orchestra, the National Ballet Company and several galleries and the
national Te Papa
Museum. There are also a number of attractive modern
shopping arcades. For panoramic views of the city take the cable car to
Kelburn, and walk back through the beautiful Botanic Gardens.
Day 10 -
Wellington - Christchurch (336
km)
Board the
Inter Island Ferry or the Topcat
Fast Ferry and cruise across Cook Strait to the South Island. Birdlife and dolphins are often companions during the
trip. Blenheim. Watch the Whales at
Kaikoura
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Whale watching,
Kaikoura
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Day 11
- Christchurch
Christchurch
also known as the
“Garden City” has a distinctively English character with its grey
stone buildings overlooking the tranquil Avon River and leafy Hagley
Park right in the city centre. Situated on the Canterbury Plain between
the Southern Alps and the sea, Christchurch is conveniently placed for
the skifields at Mount Hutt and Craigieburn, with the hinterland for
hunting and tramping. A drive over the Port Hills takes you past
Ferrymead Historic Park and on to the Port of Lyttelton and Akaroa
harbour, where the French colonial influence is still strong. Or stroll
in Cathedral Square with its gay flower stalls and listen to the Wizard
of Christchurch declaiming from his stepladder.
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Akaroa Craft
Gallery
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Day 12
- Christchurch - Dunedin (360 km)
Travel south
over the Canterbury plains, along the Pacific Ocean, through the towns
of Ashburton, Timaru and Oamaru to visit the Moeraki Boulders which
scatter the shoreline before arriving in Dunedin.
Day 13
- Dunedin
Historic Dunedin, first settled by Scottish pioneers in 1846 and renowned as the
“Edinburgh of the South” is an interesting University city with old
buildings. The Otago peninsula offers a day of fascinating sights. Visit
Larnach Castle, perhaps the Botanical Gardens, the Royal Albatross
colony, the largest mainland colony of these giant birds in the world.
The endangered Yellow-eyed penguin conservatory is nearby and well worth
a visit. A visit to the Dunedin
Motor Museum is recommended too.
Day 14 - Dunedin - Te
Anau (290 km)
Drive south to
Balclutha before heading across Southland to the Fiordland National Park
and your overnight stay at Te Anau on the shores of the South Island’s
largest lake.
Day 15 - Te Anau
One of the treasures
in the Fiordland National Park is magnificent
Milford Sound a short and
spectacular drive from Te Anau. Take a cruise on the sound, enjoy a
delightful smorgasbord lunch. Alternatively visit the spectacular
underground power station at Manapouri and Doubtful
Sound.
Day 16
- Te Anau - Queenstown (170 km)
Enjoy a
leisurely start this morning for
a short but breathtaking drive to Queenstown.
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Queenstown
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Day 17
- Queenstown
Today is yours
to choose from the many activities available in New Zealand's premier
resort. From the thrill of the Shotover Jetboat ride, the excitement of
the Skyline Gondola to a tranquil cruise on lake Wakatipu, there is
something for everyone.
Day 18 - Queenstown -
Wanaka (125 km)
Visit the once
thriving village of Arrowtown, an old gold mining settlement, on the way
to Wanaka on the shores of beautiful Lake
Wanaka. On the journey through
the Kawarau Gorge, remnants of the early search for gold can be seen and
there is an opportunity to jump of the bridge too.
Day 19 - Wanaka -
Franz Josef (287 km)
Through the
majestic part of Mount Aspiring National Park over the Haast Pass you
will arrive at the wild and rugged West Coast and continue on to the
World Heritage Westland National Park to view the awesome Franz Josef
and Fox Glaciers. Here you will have the opportunity to take a scenic
flight over these rivers of ice amid this breathtaking alpine region.
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Franz Josef
Glacier
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Day 20 -
Franz Josef – Westport (277km)
Stop at
Hokitika and see sacred Greenstone (Jade) being made into jewellery and
artefacts. Perhaps view local glass blowing and other speciality crafts
for which this region is renown for. At Punakaiki there is the
opportunity to stroll through native bush to the fascinating and unusual
pancake rock formations and blow holes.
Day 21 -
Westport - Nelson (226km)
The
Buller
Region has a lot to offer to all visitors. Everything
from guided tours, white water rafting, adventure caving, horse
trekking, surf
rafting, mountain biking, argo trips, scenic tours, kayaking, underworld
rafting, cave walks, heli
rafting and jet boating, to day walks and overnight tramps are all
available in Westport or any of our neighbouring National Parks and
Forests. Through
the Buller Gorge, Murchison you will arrive at sunny Nelson,
the gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park.
Day 22 -
Nelson - Picton - Wellington (110km)
This afternoon
you will take the ferry across Cook Strait through the picturesque Queen
Charlotte Sound back to Wellington.
Day 23 -
Wellington - Wanganui (195km)
Pass through
the seaside suburbs of Paraparaumu (Southward
Car museum) and Paekakariki, the
market garden region of Otaki and Levin and possibly a stop at
Palmerston North the home of the Massey University to the river town of Wanganui.
Day 24 -
Wanganui - Waitomo (273km)
Follow the
Wanganui river towards the Volcanic Tongariro National Park, then onto
the farming town of Taumarinui and Waitomo to visit the world famous caves. Float in a small boat on an underground stream with a myriad of
Glow-worm lights above you.
Day 25 - Waitomo -
Auckland (200km)
Travel through
some of the most fertile farmland in New Zealand, via Hamilton
City, a
thriving farming and university city, to Auckland, a city with
sophisticated, cosmopolitan reputation and a colourful mix of cultures.
Day 26 - Auckland
– Paihia (240 km)
Cross the Harbour
bridge which spans the sparkling Waitamata Harbour and follow the main
road to the picturesque seaside resort Paihia in Northland.
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Russell, Bay of
Islands
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Day 27 - Paihia
We recommend a
cruise aboard a luxury catamaran to the Cape Brett lighthouse and famous
“Hole in the Rock”. During your journey meander through the many
inner islands of this spectacular Maritime park viewing the sandy
beaches, beautiful bays and marine wildlife that make this area a
popular holiday destination.
Day 28 -
Paihia - Dargaville - Whangarei (190 km)
Via Kaikohe
and Opononi you reach the Waipoua Forest and Trounson Kauri Park with
the mighty Kauri Trees. Onto Dargaville
and fascinating dioramas in the Kauri and Pioneer
Museum at Matakohe depict the exploitation of these massive trees for
their timber and gum during the early 19th century.
Day 29 –
Whangarei – Auckland (170 km)
Back to Auckland.
Note:
The above tour is only a suggestion and it is up to you to
prepare your own itinerary and book your accommodation.
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