New Zealand Tour April 2023

10 Days / 9 Nights

Day 1: Tuesday 11 April 2023
DEPART HOBART – ARRIVE AUCKLAND (D)

Kia Ora! Welcome to New Zealand.  On arrival at Auckland Airport you will be met by your coach driver/guide and transferred to your hotel. This evening get together for a welcome dinner at our Hotel.

Accommodation: Rose Park Hotel – 3 nights

Day 2: Wednesday 12 April 2023
AUCKLAND (BD)

This morning depart on a sightseeing tour of the city.  Auckland is a vibrant cosmopolitan city with a busy nightlife, world-class restaurants, bush-clad mountain ranges and diverse neighbourhoods to explore.  Highlights include a guided tour through the Auckland Museum which gives an excellent introduction to the artistic legacy and cultures of the peoples of the Pacific; the monumental carvings, buildings, canoes and taonga (treasures) of the Maori; and the diversity of cultures which now combine to form the rich tapestry of race, nationality and creed which is modern New Zealand.

Afterwards take the ferry over to Devonport. Victoria Road, the main street and heart of the quaint village of Devonport, is a short walk from the Ferry Terminal. It hosts many of the village's boutique fashion outlets, bookshops, galleries, cafes and restaurants. After the return ferry the afternoon is at leisure.

Dine this evening at the Harbourside Ocean Bar & Grill.  Located in the historic Ferry Building on Quay Street, the décor of the Harbourside Ocean Bar & Grill is designed to showcase the beauty of the unique harbour surrounds and has a refined, paired back elegance with an emphasis on natural materials that showcase the grand architectural features of the 1912 heritage building.  The classically inspired yet creative menu includes the best of New Zealand seafood. 

Day 3: Thursday 13 April 2023
AUCKLAND (BD)

Start the day with a visit to the All Blacks Experience - the experience is a state-of-the-art guided encounter that showcases the All Blacks, and New Zealand’s national teams in Black, through exceptional innovation and technology. This full sensory and interactive experience allows its visitors to celebrate New Zealand’s rugby heritage, achievements and culture.  Note - the tour is non-exclusive and other travellers may join. 

Your time here is followed by a ride up the Sky Tower. At 328 metres, it is the tallest structure in New Zealand, featuring 4 observation decks and a revolving restaurant.  At the base, experience a visual encounter with Auckland's history then step into the high-speed elevator and travel at high speed to the main observation deck.  Stand on the glass floor and see Auckland at your feet - an amazing experience.

The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. Dinner at the hotel this evening.

Day 4: Friday 14 April 2023                       
AUCKLAND – ROTORUA (BD)

Travel south through the southern suburbs of Auckland then over the Bombay Hills and through the lush Waikato Valley famous for its highly productive dairy industry and on to the largest city in the Waikato, Hamilton.  Stop at the beautiful Hamilton Gardens for a self-guided tour. A highlight of the gardens is the collection of Paradise and Fantasy gardens including Chinese Scholars Garden, Japanese Garden of contemplation, Italian Renaissance Garden, Indian Char Bagh Garden, Surrealist Garden, Tudor Garden along with the newly opened Egyptian Garden.

Departing Hamilton, head south following the Waikato River through picturesque countryside to the small town of Tirau – the corrugated-iron capital of the world.  Then through the lush Fitzgerald Glade and over the bush-clad Mamaku Ranges to before reaching the thermal wonderland of Rotorua, the Sulphur City. Located in the heart of New Zealand’s famous thermal region, Rotorua forms part of the geologically active ‘Pacific Rim of Fire’.  Situated on the shores of Lake Rotorua, it is also renowned for Maori cultural activities. 

Dinner at the hotel this evening.

Accommodation: Sudima Hotel Rotorua – 2 nights

Day 5: Saturday 15 April 2023
ROTORUA (BD)

Your morning begins with a guided tour at the National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa. The Kiwi, New Zealand’s national icon, is an endangered species and The National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa is a world leader in kiwi husbandry, egg incubation systems, hatching techniques and kiwi chick rearing.  Your visit here will showcase how Kiwi recovery programmes are playing their part to bring this treasured icon back from the brink of extinction on the New Zealand mainland.  During your 45-minute guided visit, learn all about the Kiwi bird at the world’s most successful kiwi hatchery and discover how more than 2100 kiwi chicks have been hatched here. Note - the tour is non-exclusive and other travellers may join. 

Some time at leisure to explore Rotorua independently.  

In the late afternoon visit Te Puia for a guided tour followed by the Te Po (the night) experience – an immersive feast of indigenous cultural storytelling, entertainment and food.  Your guided tour provides a premier Maori culture experience combined with an introduction to the magnificent geothermal activity in the Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley.  Whilst in the valley see the boiling mud pools, steaming silica terraces, hot springs and geysers including the famous Pohutu Geyser which can erupt up to 30 metres high, depending on its mood.  Visit the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute where young Maori are learning the traditional carving and weaving skills of their ancestors. 

Your evening experience will commence with a sumptuous buffet dinner including food from the hangi (traditional Maori method of cooking) served in the Pātaka Kai Restaurant. 

After dinner enjoy a cultural performance in the fully carved Te Aronui-a-Rua meeting house where highlights include waiata (song), mōteatea (traditional chant) poi and haka.  Following the concert, the evening culminates with hot chocolate and steamed pudding served in the geothermal valley bathed in coloured light.

Day 6: Sunday 16 April 2023
ROTORUA – TAUPO (BD)

This morning enjoy the Redwood Treewalk located at Redwood Grove and consists of 21 suspension bridges traversing between 22 Californian coastal redwoods that are 115-years old.  The elevated walkways gives walkers a unique view of the native undergrowth below from up to 12-metres above the ground.  At 553-metres long the walkway allows plenty of time to appreciate the beauty of the forest that is quite different from what you experience on the ground.  Afterwards leave Rotorua and drive through the Kaingaroa State Forest, one of the largest planted forests in the world, to Wairakei.  Here steam ensuing after contact with hot rocks beneath the earth's crust is harnessed to generate electricity at two power stations.

Before you reach Taupo take a visit to Taupo Lava Glass where a kaleidoscope of colours greets visitors to the Lava Glass sculpture garden. Opened in early-2014, the garden features more than 600 glass sculptures handcrafted by master glass artist Lynden Over and his glassblowing team.

Afterwards stop at the Huka Falls where you can marvel as the mighty Waikato River thunders through the narrow canyon.  Continue the short distance to the resort town of Taupo on the shores of Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake.

Dinner at the hotel this evening. Accommodation: Lakeland Hotel  – 2 nights

Day 7: Monday 17th April 2023
TAUPO (BD)

Lake Taupo is New Zealand’s largest lake and is a world renowned spot for trout fishing both in the lake and from tributary rivers. Today you’ll embark on a scenic cruise on Lake Taupo.  Explore the largest Crater Lake in the world aboard the comfortable Cruise Cat vessel. Sit back and enjoy the picturesque northern bays of Lake Taupo and view the Maori Rock Carvings up close. A full commentary is given on the volcanic history and Maori mythology surrounding Lake Taupo. Take in the views of the spectacular snow-capped mountain peaks of the World Heritage Tongariro National Park.

Afternoon at leisure.  Dinner at a local restaurant this evening

Day 8: Tuesday 18 April 2023
TAUPO – WELLINGTON (BD)

Today travel south from Taupo around the shores of the lake then continue on through the Central Plateau with views (weather permitting) of the three volcanic mountains of the Tongariro National Park.  After passing across the desolate landscapes of the Desert Road, descend into the Manawatu region and travel across the Manawatu Plains then down the scenic Kapiti Coast into Wellington City.

New Zealand's capital city, clings to steep hillsides around a magnificent harbour at the southern tip of the North Island. The geographical heart of the country, it is also the political and administrative centre.  The city has a cosmopolitan flavour with department stores, boutiques, galleries, trendy cafes and restaurants lining the office-block canyons. 

Dinner at the hotel this evening. Accommodation: West Plaza Hotel  – 2 nights

Day 9: Wednesday 19 April 2023
WELLINGTON (BD)

This morning take a sightseeing drive around Wellington.   Highlights include the magnificent Parliament Buildings and the iconic ‘Beehive’, the Executive Wing of the New Zealand Government. Stop at Lambton Quay in the heart of Wellington’s shopping and business district and board the famous Wellington Cable Car (ticket included).  The Cable Car rises 120m over a length of 612m. It travels through three tunnels and over three bridges. From the top, it offers spectacular views of the city below.

Visit Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum - time to explore Te Papa independently to learn about the shaping of its land, the spirit of its diverse peoples, its unique wildlife, landscapes and its distinctive popular culture. 

Afternoon at leisure.  You may wish to wander the waterfront area or sample some of the excellent shops – both department stores or small boutiques; or visit the vibrant Cuba Street or Courtney Place precincts full of funky cafes and restaurants.

Dinner at the hotel this evening.

Day 10: Thursday 20th April 2023
DEPART WELLINGTON FOR HOBART (B)

Today you will transfer by coach to Wellington Airport for your departing flight.