9 days/8 nights ex Auckland
Coach Tour | Minimum 6 to guarantee departure
Innovative Travel is here to help you rediscover New Zealand, with professional care, on inspirational coach tours, designed with our partners Inspired New Zealand Tours. Each tour has a minimum of 6 participants, and will be hosted by your professional Coach Captain. Sit back and relax while someone else does the driving, and take time to see the sights that may have previously flashed by! Whether you are a solo traveller, couple or friends, these tours present an ideal proposition.
If you are a solo traveller and would like to share a twin room please ask us for more details.Contact us for special pricing for rental car options, private driver options or exclusive group travel.
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Itinerary
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Accommodation
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Important Information
Day 1 : Arrive in Auckland
On arrival into Auckland, you will be transferred to your city hotel. Take the opportunity to explore Auckland, the City of Sails from your centrally located hotel. Perhaps visit the new Commercial Bay inner city shopping complex or the Auckland Museum. Later this afternoon meet your local tour representative who will provide a tour briefing and confirm tomorrow’s departure details.
Day 2: Auckland to Bay of Islands (BD)
Travel north across the Harbour Bridge, passing through the North Shore suburbs and the Hibiscus Coast region. Drive through Warkworth and Wellsford before stopping in Matahoke to visit the award winning Kauri Museum. Learn how our early European settlers extracted kauri timber and kauri gum. See reconstruction of settler’s homes and an historic working mill. The Museum also contains collections relating to the North Auckland Mounted Rifles Regiment, who were formed in March 1911 and served at Gallipoli and in the Middle East in World War I. Continue north along the coast where you will stop at the Waipoua Forest for a short walk to view Tāne Mahuta (the Māori God of the Forest) a 2000-year-old living treasure. Travel on to your hotel in the beautiful Bay of Islands. Dinner is included this evening at your hotel.
Day 3: Paihia at Leisure (B)
Paihia, the jewel of the magnificent Bay of Islands, offers amazing beaches, islands - suitable for those that want to experience: fishing, scenic cruises, island hops, dolphin watching and kayaking. Further afield, take an optional day trip to Cape Reinga (additional cost) to take in this spectacular sight where two oceans merge. Travel along Ninety Mile beach that stretches from Ahipara to Scott Point. Your coach captain will go through a list of optional tours to suit you and assist with any bookings you would like to make.
Day 4: Paihia to Whangarei (BD)
Before departing the Bay of Islands today, cruise out into the Islands in search of dolphins and other marine life. You will journey right to the end of the Cape Brett Peninsula, to the famous Hole in the Rock on Motukokako Island. Then, visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, our birthplace, for a guided tour to learn about the history, stories, personalities and events that shaped New Zealand. Later in the afternoon, head south to Whangarei taking in the stunning coastal beaches of Matapouri, Tutukaka and Ngunguru. Dinner is included this evening at your hotel.
Day 5: Whangarei to Rotorua (BD)
Your journey today takes you south, via Auckland and on to Rotorua. Discover a volcanic wonderland where the ground steams, mud and waters bubble and geysers erupt high into the sky. This is a place rich in New Zealand’s Māori culture and history. Dinner is included this evening at your hotel.
Day 6: Rotorua (B)
This morning take a city tour, including a visit to Te Puia - Whakarewarewa geothermal valley where you will have the opportunity to see native kiwi birds. Discover more about Maori history & culture and explore the 60 hectare Geothermal Valley, including the Pohutu Geyser, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest active geyser. A ride on the Gondola to Skyline Rotorua is also included where you will experience spectacular views of Lake Rotorua, the city and steaming geothermal landscapes. The afternoon is yours to explore Rotorua, or perhaps you would like to take in an optional scenic flight (additional cost) over Rotorua City, the Geothermal Parks or Mt Tarawera to view spectacular craters and domes formed by the 1886 eruption. This evening you may choose to join a traditional optional local Maori Cultural show with a Hangi influenced meal, or dine at one of the many local restaurants.
Day 7: Taupo (B)
This morning, travel to the picturesque lakeside town of Taupo, where time will be allowed for exploring, shopping and lunch (own expense). On route stop at Wairakei and Huka Falls on the mighty Waikato River. In the afternoon, retrace your journey to Rotorua where you will have more time to explore the city. Dinner this evening is your choice.
Day 8: Rotorua to Waitomo, Auckland (B,D)
This morning travel north to Waitomo, where much of the area’s natural wonders can be found below the earth’s surface as rolling hills and unspoilt native bush gives way to subterranean limestone caverns. Millions of years in the making, Waitomo’s (wai meaning water and tomo meaning hole into the ground in Maori) visually awe-inspiring cave network draws people looking for adventure and those looking for a sense of wonder. Join your guide for an intimate cave experience, where you will view glow-worms and cave formations up close and appreciate the beauty of Footwhistle Cave. Travel onto Auckland for your final evening. A farewell dinner is included this evening at a local restaurant.
Day 9: Depart Auckland (B)
Your tour will conclude today following breakfast and your transfer to the Airport.
TOUR INCLUSIONS
- Auckland Airport to City Hotel Transfer
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Welcome Tour Briefing on Day 1
- A/C Coach Auckland, Waipoua Forest, Paihia, Tutukaka Coast, Whangarei, Rotorua, Taupo, Waitomo
- Auckland City Hotel to Airport Transfer
- Eight nights in excellent centrally located accommodation
- Daily breakfasts (B)
- 4 x Dinners (D)
- Modern air conditioned vehicle as per Itinerary outline
Sightseeing includes
- Matakohe Kauri Museum
- Tane Mahuta, God of the Forest
- Cape Brett Cruise
- Waitangi Treaty Grounds
- Te Puia Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley
- Skyline Gondola Ride
- Taupo day tour
- Caveworld Waitomo
TOUR EXCLUSIONS
- Domestic Air Fares
- Additional Optional Tour Costs
- Hotel Mini Bar
- Other Sightseeing / Meals not specified in Itinerary
Accommodation based on the below or similar
Day 1: Auckland
Hotel: Grand Chancellor Auckland City
Day 2: Paihia
Hotel: Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge Paihia
Day 3: Paihia
Hotel: Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge Paihia
Day 4: Whangarei
Hotel: Distinction Whangarei Hotel
Day 5: Rotorua
Hotel: Distinction Rotorua Hotel
Day 6: Rotorua
Hotel: Distinction Rotorua Hotel
Day 7: Rotorua
Hotel: Distinction Rotorua Hotel
Day 8: Auckland
Hotel: Grand Chancellor Auckland City
PAYMENTS:
A non-refundable deposit of $250 per person is required at the time of booking. The balance of the tour price is required 47 days prior to your travel date. If you book inside 47 days, full payment will be required at the time of booking. If you cancel between 26 and 47 days prior to your travel date 40% of your tour cost will be charged. If you cancel between 8 and 20 days prior to your tour departure you will be charged 60% of your tour cost. Cancellations within 8 working days of departures will incur a 100% cancellation charge. All cancellations must be acknowledged in writing.
Innovative Travel recommends purchasing travel insurance, even when travelling within New Zealand.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Full Terms and conditions are listed on the Innovative Travel website. When a booking is made it is accepted that these are agreed to. They include the following: Itineraries are correct when initially published, however are subject to change due to circumstances outside our control.
Flights are the responsibility of the passenger and Innovative Travel takes no responsibility for costs involved for any changes to flights that might be required due to necessary amendments in itineraries.
Note: Wheelchair passengers
Some activities are not suitable for wheelchair passengers and any passenger requiring wheelchair assistance must be accompanied by a fellow traveller that is capable of assisting with all mobility requirements. Maximum of one wheelchair per group, the wheelchair must be fully collapsible. Further wheelchairs may be allowed subject to group size.
Trip prices and dates are correct at the time of the website going live, however all offers are subject to reconfirmation at the time of booking. Note prices usually display available discounted rates if any. All featured tour itineraries and offers maybe subject to change due to seasonal variations without notice, or due to local conditions or other conditions. Please confirm all details at time of booking. Travel insurance is mandatory for all Innovative Travel bookings if joining one of the New Zealand tours from another country. All passports must be valid for 6 months prior to your return to your home country. Visas are the responsibility of the traveller. For full terms and conditions, please refer to our Booking Conditions page.
