Kicking off in our capital city with Weta Studios and Zealandia Ecosanctuary, we head north by luxury coach, visiting the beautiful vistas of Taranaki and New Plymouth. Head over to Tongariro National Park for a scenic mountain ride on the new Sky Waka, New Zealand’s highest gondola before popping into Napier for an Art Deco tour and a visit to one of Hawkes Bays' wonderful wineries. Explore the stunning and unique Hamilton Gardens before ending our tour in Auckland with an Asian cooking class at Sachie's Kitchen.

Your Guided Holiday Includes:

• 10 nights in 4-star accommodation
• 29 meals – 10 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 10 dinners
• All sightseeing and entrance fees
• All transportation and transfers
• Expert Tour Leaders
• Specialist advice from our Travel Experts

Pricing is per person twin share and based on travel 28 October – 07 November 2022

**Other dates available as well as solo traveller pricing, please speak to one of our travel consultants for more details

Authentic Experiences:

Visit Fo Guang Temple

Visit the tranquil Fo Guang Shan Buddhist temple, which has been designed in the architectural style of the Tang Dynasty. This temple is truly one of Auckland and New Zealand's hidden gems.

Walk Around Hamilton Gardens

Take a walk through the wonderful themed gardens, including the recently completed Surrealist Garden. These award-winning gardens are set on 54 hectares of picturesque surrounds on the banks of the Waikato river.

Gaze At Huka Falls

Admire the magnificent Huka Falls, Huka means "Foam" in the Maori language. These falls were created approximately 26,000 years ago when the narrowing of the Waikato canyon was created when the Oruanui eruption of Taupo Volcano took place.

Itinerary:

Fly to Wellington

Fly to Wellington, on arrival, transfer to your hotel. After a welcome briefing, take a stroll to Courtney Place for a welcome dinner in the dining and entertainment hub of Wellington.

Wellington Weta Workshop & Zealandia Ecosanctuary

After breakfast head to Weta Workshop, the award-winning design studio that has created special effects for many blockbuster movies such as Lord of the Rings and Avatar. Our private tour will unlock some of the movie magic! Afterwards it’s a short drive to the tranquil urban forests of Zealandia Ecosanctuary for lunch and some time to enjoy a scenic walk. The Ecosanctuary is home to a huge variety of native birds and you may even spot a tuatara in the wild! Dinner tonight will include a chance to taste some famous Wellington microbrewers.

Wellington To New Plymouth: Foxton Windmill & Tawhiti Museum

Leaving Wellington, travel north along the west coast, stopping for a tour of the iconic Foxton Windmill, a full-size replica traditional 17th century Dutch flour mill. Our next stop will be the amazing Tawhiti Museum, widely acclaimed as the best private museum in the country. The creation of artist Nigel Ogle, the museum uses life size exhibits and minutely-detailed historical dioramas to present our heritage in a series of engaging displays. Enjoy lunch in the museum’s Wind in the Willows-themed café and a tour of the museum. Later this afternoon, arrive at our accommodation in New Plymouth with time for a stroll along the impressive waterfront before dinner.

New Plymouth – Pukeiti Gardens & Govett – Brewster Art Gallery

After breakfast this morning, take an optional bike ride along the beautiful coastal cycleway to Te Rewa Bridge to meet our coach. If you do not cycle, you can opt for a scenic waterfront walk at the Bridge, a New Plymouth landmark that is reminiscent of a whale skeleton or a breaking wave. Drive to the famous Pukeiti Gardens at the foot of Mt Taranaki, for lunch in the Founders Café and a tour of the rhododendrons and exotics garden. This afternoon, drive back to New Plymouth to visit the architecturally-stunning Govett-Brewster Gallery, that celebrates the extraordinary work of Len Lye, modernist filmmaker and kinetic artist.

New Plymouth – Lake Taupo

Relax and enjoy a scenic drive through some of the most untouched parts of New Zealand. Our first stop will be for a unique lunch and alpaca experience at Nevelea Alpacas, nestled in the hills of the King Country on the adventure highway. Before arriving at our hotel in Taupo this afternoon, we'll stop and take a short walk to the magnificent Huka Falls where more than 220,000 litres of water per second barrel over an 11 m high waterfall. Dinner tonight will be in Taupo itself.

Tongariro National Park

On our drive to Tongariro National Park this morning, we'll make a stop at the National Trout Centre - a fascinating museum, aquarium and hatchery near Turangi. Afterward, we'll continue on our journey into the National Park and ascend Mt Ruapehu on the new Sky Waka, New Zealand’s largest gondola, enjoying the panoramic views of its three volcanos. Lunch will be at the Knoll Ridge Chalet - New Zealand’s highest dining experience. Later this afternoon, enjoy some free time back at the hotel (perhaps in the pool!) before heading to dinner in the township of Taupo again.

Taupo – Napier / Havelock North

After an early breakfast, take a scenic drive to Napier where you'll enjoy an Art Deco Vintage Car Tour of the city plus some free time to wander round the waterfront, botanical gardens and boutique shops. We'll head to Havelock North for lunch at the picturesque Birdwoods Gallery & Café whilst also ensuring there is enough time for a stroll through their sculpture garden and a browse through their unique store. After checking into your hotel later this afternoon, there will be time for a wander around the charming village of Havelock North. Dinner tonight will be at a stunning local winery.

Napier / Havelock North – Hamilton

On our journey to Hamilton today, we'll stop and explore one of the best thermal reserves in New Zealand, Orakei Korako. Before lunch at their lakefront café, we'll take a short boat ride across the lake to explore the thermal park itself. Dinner tonight will be in the city, walking distance from our hotel.

Hamilton Gardens, Zealong & Hobbiton

Explore the themed gardens at the award-winning Hamilton Gardens, including their recently completed Surrealist Garden. Lunch will be at New Zealand's premier tea plantation, Zealong Tea Estate, in their luxuriously appointed restaurant. This afternoon we'll visit the enchanting village of Hobbiton – one of the locations used in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Dinner tonight is back in Hamilton.

Hamilton – Auckland

After checking into our Auckland CBD hotel, enjoy a farewell dinner that we'll cook ourselves at Sachie's Kitchen, famous for their award-winning Asian cooking classes.

Depart Auckland

After breakfast, we will transfer you back to Auckland Airport for your flight.