Iconic North

Wellington
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You could spend eons exploring New Zealand’s two islands. If you only have time to do the North, this NZ holiday is for you. Discover cosmopolitan cities on an Auckland tour and Wellington tour. Revel in geothermal wonders on a steamy Rotorua tour. Drop in on Lord of the Rings movie sets and glow-worm caves. And be moved by Maori culture, whether in galleries or traditional villages. The Indigenous heartbeat is strong, wherever you venture on this epic NZ tour.   

Departure dates

From 03/09/2024 to 31/03/2025

What's included

Highlights.
Exclusive guided tour of the Americas Cup exibition at the New Zealand Maritime MuseumSightseeing Tour of Auckland and WellingtonConnect with Locals - Lunch with Lance and Bridgette on their Dairy FarmTe Puia Geothermal ValleyKiwifruit Orchard in Te Puke.
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Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and DriverCentrally located premium 4- & 5-star hotelsNational Park entrance fees.
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Itinerary / more information

  • Day 1 New Zealand's largest city is blessed when it comes to water views - on one side of the isthmus is Manukau Harbour; on the other, Waitemata. Exploring pretty precincts at your leisure, gazing out over a flurry of yachts, you'll begin to understand why Auckland is fondly known as the 'City of Sails'. Come evening, meet your fellow NZ holiday travel companions for dinner and a few local tipples, and share stories of your day-one wanderings.
  • Day 2 Remember all those sails you spotted on Auckland's harbour yesterday? They come from a long and fascinating history of boat-building and sailing, as you'll discover on an America's Cup tour at the New Zealand Maritime Museum. This is a story of migration, innovation, team-building and skill. Plus, you get to glimpse one of the few existing replicas of the America's Cup. The water is your backdrop as your skirt the harbour toward dreamy Mission Bay, onward to Bastion Point and the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial. This is the place to get some perspective. Yes of Auckland and its improbable location, but also of life in general. There's nothing like an epic view to set your soul soaring. If you want tips on how to spend your afternoon post Auckland tour, we have a few ideas, whether you're a sports fanatic or a budding gourmand. Perhaps a behind-the-scenes All Blacks experience, revealing insights into this record-breaking rugby team. Or a cruise out to Waiheke Island for a tasting of local wines. If you have a sweet tooth, you might prefer to meet the makers at one of New Zealand's most innovative ice-creameries. A NZ holiday high.
  • Day 3 Go from city to farm life today as you travel to the countryside for a dose of local hospitality at a Be My Guest experience in the Red Barn. Hear the history of this working dairy farm from local Dan and get a feel for country life as you're invited to roll up your sleeves and make your own butter - butter churners, tiny mason jars and all! Later, sit down to a locally sourced farm to table lunch prepared by the onsite chef. After a fun and insightful morning, head out to Tauranga's beautiful beaches in the Bay of Plenty. Explore Mauao, an extinct volcano, or kick back on its secluded beach, considered to be one of the best in New Zealand. More stunning waterfront awaits you as you make your way to your Stays With Stories accommodations in the family-run Trinity Wharf.
  • Day 4 Te Puke takes home the great honour of being the kiwifruit capital of New Zealand. And these sweet treats don't get much tastier than when freshly picked straight from the orchard, handed to you by a farmer. Expect an explosion of flavour when you take your first bite. The zingy sensation will linger with you all the way to Rotorua, where mud pops and jettisons from bubbling geysers, and steam rushes skywards from cracks in the Earth. The natural drama of this NZ tour reaches boiling point at Whakarewarewa, a geothermal reserve and the country's only living M?ori village. Indigenous heritage is also celebrated at Te Puia cultural centre, where you can witness M?ori artisans at work. Your visit here supports up-and-coming creatives. Your Rotorua tour culminates at to Te P? T? M?ori Experience, an important hub keeping tradition, art and music alive. Oh, and nurturing Maori cuisine. Sit down to a lavish hangi meal, cooked in underground ovens.
  • Day 5 Tour Rotorua at your own pace today, but with plenty of tips from your Travel Director. Nature lover? We might point you in the direction of the sparkling Waitomo Caves, where a galaxy of glow worms twinkle above your head while you cruise an underground cave system, replete with waterfalls and staggering limestone formations. Add on a visit to Hobbiton, if you're a Lord of the Rings fanatic, to see where Bilbo and Frodo lived, amid rolling green meadows blanketed with wildflowers. Or sign up to tour Rotorua and its three lakes in an amphibious WWII era Duck. Yes, it's a thing that history buffs won't want to miss. But at the end of the day, we wouldn't blame you for simply blissing out at in the steamy thermal springs at Rotorua's Polynesian Spa. This is the ultimate antidote to NZ holiday weary limbs.
  • Day 6 You'll hear Huka Falls well before you see it - at this natural wonder, a staggering 220,000 litres of water thunder over an 11-meter-high waterfall every second. Photos just don't do it justice; this is an every-sense-heightened experience. The road ahead unfolds in a broad panorama of Lake Taupo, its waters so vivid and blue you'll think someone has taken the glasses off your nose and cleaned them for the first time. The surrounding countryside is one of ridiculous contrast: snow-blanketed mountains and alpine deserts, ancient forests and trout-filled rivers. Traverse the Kapiti Coast to New Zealand's cool little capital, Wellington, where there are so many restaurants and bars to choose from you'll need a guide book. Wait, you have an in-the-know Travel Director to talk to...
  • Day 7 New Zealand's harbour-hugging capital leaves you wanting more. It's a good thing we're ready to show you around on a Wellington tour, taking in distinctive architecture, monuments, hip precincts and cultural icons, not in the least waterside Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand - don't miss a visit to the establishment's Maori wharenui (meeting house). It's an eye-opening ending to an equally eye-opening trip to New Zealand.
  • Prices quoted valid for sale until 06 May 2024 unless otherwise stated or sold out prior.
  • Price is per person and subject to availability. Accommodation (if included) is based on twin share unless otherwise stated.
  • Airfare (including internal flights) is not included unless otherwise stated and, if included, is economy class unless otherwise stated.
  • Local payments, "trip kittys" or food funds may apply and may be payable direct to the supplier on arrival or to your travel agent prior to your departure. Where applicable, these payments are included in the total price quoted.
  • Gratuities are not included unless otherwise stated.
  • Additional conditions and travel restrictions may apply. Please enquire for further details.
  • Prices shown are fully inclusive of taxes, levies and government charges current at time of publication.
  • Additional levies, government charges and other applicable fees may apply and are beyond our control.
  • Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply depending on date of travel.
  • Payments made by credit card will incur a surcharge.
  • Prices shown are for payments made by cash in store or Bpay.
  • These prices are a guide to the best price. Prices are correct as at 01 May 2024 and are subject to change without notice, due to matters outside our control, such as adverse currency fluctuations, fuel surcharges, taxes and airfare increases. Please enquire for further details.

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