NORTH ISLAND SELF-DRIVE TOURS
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6 night self-drive tour from £ 679pp |
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7 night self-drive tour from £ 749pp |
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Cathedral Cove |
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Hobbiton |
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PACIFIC COAST ADVENTURE
6 NIGHT SELF-DRIVE SHORT TOUR
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Tolaga Bay |
LORD OF THE RINGS NORTH ISLAND
7 NIGHT SELF-DRIVE SHORT TOUR
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Tongariro |
awesome natural splendours • wineries • be the first to see the sun rise
DAY 1 Auckland / Coromandel Peninsula
Collect your car and travel south to the Coromandel Peninsula , home to some of the North Island ’ s most spectacular sights , including the world famous Cathedral Cove . Not far from here is Hot Water Beach where you can dig down into the sand and create your own seaside bath from the rising natural spring beneath the surface ( 104 miles ).
DAY 2 Coromandel Peninsula
With a golden coastline , abundant marine life and mountainous interior , you ’ ll find no shortage of things to do and places to see . Perhaps hire a kayak and see the Cathedral Cove close up , you may even spy seals and dolphins too ! Another option is a ride on the Driving Creek Railway , a narrow-gorge mountain trail or , step out on the stunning Coromandel Coastal Walk to discover beautiful beaches , quiet nature and twinkling bays .
DAY 3 Coromandel Peninsula / Whakatane
Drive along the peninsula and perhaps stop in Tauranga , the largest city in the Bay of Plenty , where you ’ ll find lots of cafés and restaurant options . Travel onwards to Whakatane , one of the sunniest towns in New Zealand with lots of easily accessible outdoor adventures , a museum , observatory and Māori historical sites ( 156 miles ).
DAY 4 Whakatane / Gisborne
Today ’ s drive around the East Cape is beautiful , but challenging . Tolaga Bay is a good place to take a break , stretch your legs and walk along the historic wharf before you continue to Gisborne ( 115 miles ).
Day 5 Gisborne
This is the first city in New Zealand to greet the sun , so rise early and stand in awe before the nine breathtaking carvings on sacred Maunga Hikurangi . The town also enjoys a reputation for great food and wine with a dozen wineries in the area as well as a superb cidery . Perhaps visit Cooks Cove Walkway , an historic site where Captain Cook stopped to repair the Endeavour or , make a beeline for Wainui Beach to try your hand at surfing .
DAY 6 Gisborne / Napier
The last leg of your journey takes you Napier , where street after street has beautifully restored Art Deco buildings . The city is also home to many fine wineries along with fabulous restaurants , bars and cafés ( 133 miles ).
DAY 7 Napier Your tour concludes as you return your car .
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Departures : Daily .
Accommodation : 4★ Sovereign Pier on the Waterways , Coromandel Peninsula ; 3★Plus Awa Motel , Whakatane ; 3★ Bella Vista Motel , Gisborne & 4★ The Crown Hotel , Napier .
Meals : Room only .
Tour price : The price shown includes 7 days compact all inclusive car hire and accommodation as shown .
film locations galore • award-winning workshop • astounding landscapes
DAY 1 Auckland
On arrival make your way to your hotel . If time allows , see the Harbour Bridge , stroll the Botanic Gardens or enjoy dinner on the city ’ s beautiful waterfront .
DAY 2 Auckland
This morning , look forward to Weta Workshop Unleashed , a 90 minute guided experience through fully themed environments , including immersive horror , fantasy and sci-fi story worlds . The rest of the day is yours to continue exploring as you wish .
DAY 3 Auckland / Rotorua
Collect your hire car and head south for Rotorua . Enroute , stop off at Matamata to experience the magic of the Hobbiton Movie Set . As you ’ re escorted around , see famous locations such as the colourful Hobbit Hole doors that scatter the hillsides , and the Green Dragon Inn . ( 143 miles ).
DAY 4 Rotorua / Tongariro
Take in the amazing sights ( and smells !) of this incredible place . See thermal mud pools , clouds of steam , natural hot springs perfect for bathing in and spectacular geysers which erupt to heights of up to 100 feet as many as 20 times a day . Later , hit the road once more and drive to Tongariro , which is centred upon three volcanoes ( 95 miles ).
DAY 5 Tongariro
This national park rewards with natural wonders of unparalleled beauty , including emerald lakes , old lava flows , cascading waterfalls and steaming craters . Perhaps follow one of the park ’ s many walking trails .
DAY 6 Tongariro / Wellington
Continue your drive southwards . Top stops along the way ( with short detours ) are Foxton Beach and Nga Manu Nature Reserve ( 207 miles ).
DAY 7 Wellington
Your tour includes a wildly imaginative and immersive 90 minute experience at the Weta Workshop . Learn about the making of props , costumes and creatures created for your favourite films , and interact with cool stuff from the creative departments . If you ’ re lucky , catch an artist at work on the tour stage ! Afterwards , continue sightseeing independently .
DAY 8 Wellington Grab some last souvenirs before the tour concludes with your onward journey .
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Departures : Daily . Accommodation : 4★ Airedale Boutique Suites , Auckland ; 3★Plus Distinction Rotorua ; 3★ Skotel Alpine Resort , Tongariro & 3★ Palm Court Motel , Waitomo . Meals : Room only .
Tour price : The price shown includes 6 days compact all inclusive car hire , accommodation as shown , Weta Workshop Unleashed on day 2 , Hobbiton Movie Set tour on day 3 and Weta Workshop Experience on day 7 . One way drop fee payable locally .
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