We leave Auckland behind us and head towards Northland; driving up the West Coast stopping to visit Tane Mahuta, New Zealand’s oldest and largest Kauri Tree. The Bay of Islands has over 150 islands and there are many water based activities to help you enjoy this region. We then drive south down the East Coast to the beach township of Leigh and the marine reserve of Goat Island.

From here we pass back through Auckland, staying on the East Coast to arrive in the Coromandel Peninsula at Hahei. We continue driving south to Rotorua where you will have the chance to learn more about the Maori people, their culture, traditions and their beginnings in New Zealand. Rotorua is also the geothermal thermal centre of New Zealand. Next on our journey is Hawkes Bay. Here there are the twin cities of Napier and Hastings to explore. Now to our final destination - New Zealand’s capital, Wellington.

Day 1: Auckland to Bay of Islands
Our tour starts in the cosmopolitan city of Auckland, which has a population base of 1,250,000 - over a 1/3 of New Zealand’s total population. We drive along the water front towards the Harbour Bridge, heading north via the West Coast road and ‘Twin Coast Discovery Highway’ towards the Bay of Islands, stopping along the way to visit Tane Mahuta, New Zealand’s oldest Kauri Tree, before arriving at the coastal town of Paihia.

Day 2 and 3: Bay of Islands
You now have 2 days to explore the subtropical region of Northland. You can opt for a cruise though the famous "Hole in the Rock", sail to a deserted island for lunch, indulge in some deep sea fishing, try some sea kayaking or just relax on the beach. You also have the opportunity to take a trip along Ninety Mile Beach to Cape Reinga, New Zealand’s Northern most point, or explore the town of Russell, New Zealand’s first settlement.

The Bay of Islands has great historical significance as it was the area where the first Europeans settled. It is also where the signing of the Waitangi Treaty took place on the 6th February, 1840 - and the start of an uneasy ‘voyage’ of New Zealand’s bi-cultural society.

Day 4: Bay of Islands to Leigh
Today we head back down the ‘Twin Coast Discovery Highway’ through Whangarei and Warkworth to Leigh and the Marine Reserve of Goat Island. Here you can either take a glass bottom boat tour or for the more adventurous snorkel amongst New Zealand’s abundant marine life. The sheltered channel between Goat Island and the mainland provides a opportunity to see red moki, snapper, moral eel, blue cod and of course crayfish, which is a favourite on the dinner table of upmarket restaurants. Tonight we can relax around an open fire, star gaze and listen to the relaxing sound of the ocean from our campsite.

Day 5: Leigh to Hahei
Our first stop today as we leave Leigh is to the ‘city of sails’ - Auckland. We take advantage of the views from the top of Mount Eden, which is 196m high and the closest volcano to the city centre. From up here you come to terms with how this city was made from volcanic forces. ‘One Tree Hill’ is another land mark that you will see. The first thing you will notice is that it’s a hill with no trees - as over the years, the one tree was subject to a number of vandalized attacks before being officially cut down in 1999. We now make our way east on the ‘Pacific Coast Highway’ to one of New Zealand's popular beach holiday destinations, Coromandel Peninsula with its beautiful sandy beaches, crashing surf, rock strewn shorelines and huge Pohutukawa trees. We make ourselves comfortable here for two nights.

Day 6: Hahei
Today we have the day to either explore the local area and Cathedral Cove or just relax on the beach. You can either take a leisurely walk out to the very famous Cathedral Cove or an optional half morning kayaking trip to take in the sights of this majestic rock formation. Other optional activities that can be enjoyed are snorkelling and diving.

Day 7: Hahei to Rotorua
Our day starts off with a scenic drive South via more popular white sand beaches of the Coromandel Peninsula. We then cross the heart of New Zealand's dairy farms on our way to a geothermal wonderland - Rotorua. Tonight we have an optional evening out in Rotorua

Day 8: Rotorua
Rotorua is the thermal and volcanic capital of New Zealand, and offers endless amounts of sights and activities you can participate in. You are free to explore Rotorua as you wish. You can soak the morning away at the Polynesian Natural Thermal Pools, take a 4x4 trip up Mt Tarawera or ride the Skyline gondola, followed by a luge ride back down, or take in the spectacular wildlife amid trees and ferns at Rainbow Springs.

There are also plenty of water based activities, like kayaking and rafting, or take a walking/cycle trail through the redwood forest that stands at the end of town. We then venture back in time to a Maori Village for a cultural experience of a life time, and this evening enjoy a traditional concert and Hangi (dinner cooked on hot stones in an earth oven).

Day 9: Rotorua to Hawkes Bay
This morning we take the ‘Thermal Highway South.’. We can take an optional trip to the astonishing volcanic craters at Wai-O-Tapu Valley, where you can walk past the worlds largest hot springs. We will make one more stop before we reach Lake Taupo at the base of the Huka falls. Here you will see the equivalent of two Olympic size swimming pools of water tumbling over the falls every second.

A short drive brings us to Lake Taupo - New Zealand’s largest lake covering 619sq km. Lake Taupo was formed in AD186 by the biggest volcanic eruption in the last 5,000 years. The amount of ash that was spewed into the air was seen in China and Rome. The view across the Lake is something not to be missed with its wide open spaces, snow capped mountains and clear blue water. We then drive South East to Hawkes Bay, our destination for the following two nights and camp close to the world’s biggest mainland colony of Gannets.

Day 10: Hawkes Bay
Hawkes Bay is New Zealand’s leading food and wine region. It is home to the oldest winemaker and producer of award-winning red wines. Hawkes Bay is also renowned for its world-class concentration of Art Deco Architecture, a result of rebuilding after a devastating earthquake in 1931. Your day could start off with an optional early morning hot air balloon flight over the Hawkes Bay.

You then have a selection of optional activities to choose from to full your day; you could spend your day at Napier’s Splash Planet Theme and Water Park, take a River Gorging trip or visit Napier’s Marine land Zoo. You could take a tractor ride to visit the Gannet Colony, maybe take the Hawkes Bay Wine trail or simply take a guided walk of Napier’s Art Deco Architecture.Tonight we have the option of navigating and winding our way around the Amazing Maze ‘n’ Maize. A maze made with real live maize!!

Day 11: Hawkes Bay to Wellington
Our journey continues south through Tararua, past the’ World Famous in New Zealand’ Mangatainoka’s Tui Brewery and the Manawatu Gorge before we hit the capital of New Zealand. Wellington enjoys a small town atmosphere and is noted for its art and café culture. This is where your tour comes to an end.

NOTE:

All Overland NZ tours are flexible and we do our utmost to take you to the best places we possibly can. Our expeditions can sometimes be effected by local climatic conditions and anything else unexpected so please treat this information as a guideline only. When you come to New Zealand be prepared to take things as they come and above all don’t forget your sense of humour!

*Winter Tour Supplement of $155.00 on some departures