8 days/7 Nights
Scheduled departures, guaranteed for a minimum of 2 passengers, commence Auckland Sundays
2011: September 16*, October 21*, December 4
Arrive fridays for 2 extra nights in Auckland and opportunity to enjoy some rugby games - tickets not included. Extra cost $500 per person. September 16 departure also has the opportunity to see the Wallabies v USA match in Wellington. Accommodation in Wellington may be in private homes. 2012: March 4.
Tour can commence any day (Except September and October, 2011) for a minimum of 4 passengers at the same price or for less numbers at additional cost.

NOTE:1. This tour is extendable at Auckland and/or Wellington
2. SPECIAL DEPARTURE FRIDAY 3RD FEBRUARY, 2012 INCLUDES 2 EXTRA NIGHTS IN THE BAY OF ISLANDS AND WAITANGI DAY CELEBRATIONS - extra cost $400 per person standard rooms, $500 per person First class share twin.

Day 1. Sunday AUCKLAND ARRIVE
Arrive Auckland and you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Arrivals before 4pm receive a complimentary 1 hour tour of the city en route to your hotel including the summit of Mt Eden for a panoramic view over the city, Domain and Rose gardens, Tamaki Waterfront Drive, Mission Bay, City and University areas, and Albert Park. Accommodation at
Standard: President Hotel
First Class: Mercure Auckland

Why not arrive auckland saturday and enjoy more time in new zealand's largest and most vibrant city?
You will still receive your city tour saturday (for arrivals before 4pm) and have a free day sunday to enjoythe city, take a harbour cruise, or explore the spectacular west coast rainforest and beaches.Extra cost per person per night:
Standard Hotels: 2 per room $80. Single room $50
First Class: 2 per room $110. Single room $190

Day 2. Monday AUCKLAND - KAURI FORESTS - HOKIANGA - BAY OF ISLANDS (B)
Depart Auckland 7.30am and drive north over the Harbour Bridge, through the Hibiscus Coast, and on to the Otamatea Kauri and Early Settlers Museum - the best little museum in New Zealand!. See the amazing displays of kauri gum before continuing through Dargaville to the Waipoua forest. Visit "Tane Mahuta" giant kauri tree - some 2,000 years old and enjoy the views of the Hokianga Harbour and sand dunes before arriving in the Bay of Islands. Visit the Waitangi Treaty House where the Treaty of Friendship between Maori and the British Government was signed in 1840 and see the great war canoe. Accommodation in Paihia at
Standard: Paihia Hotel
First Class: Scenic Circle Bay of Islands Hotel


Day 3. Tuesday. CAPE REINGA EXCURSION (BL)
Travel by special coach to the Puketi Kauri Forest, then on to Ninety Mile Beach for a drive on the sands and see the amazing Te Paki sand dunes and quicksand. Visit Cape Reinga lighthouse and see the meeting of the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean. Return to Paihia early evening. A picnic lunch is included today.

Day 4. Wednesday BAY OF ISLANDS - AUCKLAND (B)
Enjoy a cruise around the beautiful Bay of Islands this morning to Cape Brett and pass through the 'hole in the rock' - weather permitting. Cruise past the islands and into secluded bays and enjoy a stopover on Urupukapuka Island - once home to author Zane Grey. Usually dolphins are to be seen during this cruise. Disembark in historic Russell for a tour of the town including a visit to Flagstaff Hill and the oldest church in New Zealand. Return to Auckland early evening.

Day 5 Thursday AUCKLAND - WAITOMO CAVES - ROTORUA (BD)
Depart Auckland 8am and drive south over the Bombay hills and into fertile Waikato Dairy farmland. Pass the home of the Maori King and national marae at Ngaruawahia and continue to the Waitomo Caves. Enjoy a tour of the main limestone cave and cruise through the glowworm grotto before continuing to Rotorua.Enjoy the Agrodome sheep show and tour the farm to meet the animals and visit the Kiwifruit orchard. Visit the lakefront and gardens before arriving at your accommodation.
Standard: Ibis or Geyserland
First Class: Novotel Lakeside.
This evening enjoy an introduction to Maori Culture and a hangi steam cooked dinner.

Day 6. Friday ROTORUA - TAUPO - TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK - "OVERLANDER" TRAIN- WELLINGTON (B)
Visit Te Puia Maori Arts and Crafts Institute and Whakarewarewa thermal area to see the boiling mud pools and steaming geysers. Continue through part of the vast Kaiangaroa pine forest to the Wairakei geothermal valley. Continue south around the shores of Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake, to the Tongariro National Park with magnificent views of the central North Island volcanoes in fine weather. Continue south to Wellington, the capital city, arriving late afternoon.
Standard: West Plaza
First Class: James Cook Grand Chancellor Hotel.

Day 7. Saturday WELLINGTON (B)
Sightseeing this morning includes the summit of Mt Victoria for a panoramic view over the city, part of the spectacular Marine Drive, The Weta Cave - home of Lord of the Rings and other great movies digital effects, Oriental Bay, a ride on the Cable Car to the botanical gardens, Parliament House, and Beehive (exterior). The tour ends early afternoon at Te Papa, Museum of New Zealand and the rest of the afternoon is free to explore at your leisure. The museum is within easy walking distance of your hotel, shopping areas, and the waterfront precinct.


Day 8. Sunday WELLINGTON - DEPART (B)
You will be transferred to the airport, Interislander terminal or coach depot for departure.

Why not stay on and enjoy more of the capital city

Tour cost per person in New Zeaand dollars valid to 31st May, 2012	2 per room	Single room
	Standard $2,310. First Class NZ$2,680	Standard $2,890 First Class NZ$3,360

 

Tour cost includes:
All travel by mini bus or coach, 7 nights accommodation and breakfast, 1 picnic lunch, 1 hangi dinner, sightseeing admissions to Kauri museum, Waitangi Treaty House, special tour to Cape Reinga, Bay of Islands cruise, Waitomo Caves, Agrodome sheep display and farm tour, Maori concert, Te Puia Arts and Crafts and thermal areas.