New Zealand: North Island Soft Adventure

Travel to Auckland, New Zealand.

On arrival in Auckland, you will be met by a GOWAY Representative and your tour driver who will transfer you to your hotel. A brief sightseeing tour begins with a look along the waterfront. Enjoy the view from an extinct volcano, Mt. Eden. See the Auckland Harbour Bridge, and travel past fine homes before being dropped off at your hotel.

Accommodation: Copthorne Harbourcity Hotel (1 Night)

Cooked breakfast is included at your hotel.

Depart Auckland and cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge, with spectacular views of the city. Travel north to the Hibiscus Coast resort of Orewa. Pass through the dairy farming area of Maungaturoto and head towards Matakohe, where a visit can be made to the Kauri Museum with the magnificent kauri gum collection and artifacts of the timber industry. Continue to the town of Dargaville where most of New Zealand's kumara (sweet potato) is grown. From here you will travel north through the Waipoua kauri forest where you can view some of the largest kauri in New Zealand at close range. From the coastal town of Opononi, head inland and arrive at the Bay of Islands.

This is one of New Zealand's most scenic regions. Within this region lie countless sandy beaches, sparkling bays, pockets of lush sub-tropical forest and typical New Zealand country towns. The Bay of Islands, Waitangi and Russell in particular, are sites of considerable historical significance. It was here the treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840 between the Queen's representatives and the Maori people and modern New Zealand history commenced. (B)

Accommodation: Quality Hotel Autolodge (3 nights)

Cooked breakfast is included at your hotel.

A short walk from your hotel to meet with your guide, gear up and set of on a half Day sea-kayaking adventure tailor-made to your level of proficiency and weather conditions on the day. A packed lunch is included.

This afternoon we head out on our Dolphin Encounter, the ultimate marine adventure. A chance to swim with these magnificent creatures, you'll get right up close to the dolphins and get fantastic photos - truly an unforgettable experience. Complimentary hot drinks and showers are available at Otehai Bay after your swim. Includes use of snorkels, goggles fins and wetsuit when required. (BL)

Cooked breakfast is included at your hotel.

Today you will spend the day on the historic R. Tucker Thompson Tall Ship. Sail back in time and relax while exploring the magnificent Bay of Islands. There will be plenty of time to sunbathe and swim. Secluded islands and beach excursions included. Devonshire tea included, freshly baked and brewed in the galley. Also an opportunity to sail the ship.

A barbecue lunch is included and is served during an island stopover. (BL)

Accommodation: Quality Hotel Autolodge

Cooked breakfast is included at your hotel.

Depart aboard a Fullers' catamaran for your Cape Brett "Hole in the Rock" cruise.

Journey out past the Cape Brett Lighthouse, before continuing on to Motukokako Island, and the famous Hole in the Rock. Cruise through the rock and onto the majestic Grand Cathedral Cave. on your return journey, a stop will be made at otehei Bay, where you will have the chance to walk, swim, have something to eat, or take a Subsea Adventure.

This afternoon coach back to Auckland. (B)

Accommodation: Copthorne Harbourcity Hotel (1 Night)

Cooked breakfast is included at your hotel.

Travel south through the widespread suburbs of Auckland and over the Bombay Hills before heading east around the base of the Hauraki Gulf. Cross the native bush-clad hills of the interior range of the Coromandel Peninsula to arrive at your destination.

This afternoon board the Hahei Explorer the most adventurous way to explore Eastern Beaches. The rigid hull inflatable boat is ideal for scenic trips along the coastline. Enjoy the flora and fauna at the Hahei Marine Reserve. View close-up, the Islands, reefs, sea caves and abundant marine life of the reserve. Visit the world-famous Cathedral Cove, landing when sea conditions allow. Experience the awesome blowhole and massive sea cave off Hot Water Beach, where thermal waters are brewing just below the sand. (B)

Accommodation: Pacific Harbour - Tairua (2 nights)

Cooked breakfast is included at your hotel.

Join a local naturalist and enter a world of breathtaking natural beauty. On our hike, we follow bush trails in dappled light leading across trickling streams in the company of the almost touchable fantail birds. The flora & fauna is diverse & unspoilt and with the help of your guide, you'll make some wonderful discoveries - perhaps even explore a deserted gold mine shaft in search of it's strange inhabitants! A packed lunch is included. (BL)

Cooked breakfast included at your hotel.

Today we coach from the Coromandel to Rotorua. New Zealand's highest city is located in a volcanic crater, approximately 305metres (1000ft) above sea level. Nick-named "Sulphur City"it has the most energetic thermal activity in the country with boiling mud pools, gurgling hot springs, and gushing geysers. Rotorua also has a large Maori population whose cultural activities are the most interesting and accessible in New Zealand. On arrival in Rotorua, we visit Waiotapu Thermal Area. Walk past hot springs, mud pools and steaming geysers such as the Lady Knox Geyser which spouts off (with a little prompting) punctually at 10:15 am each morning and gushes until around noon. Other interesting features include the large, effervescently boiling Champagne Pool, craters and blowholes, colourful mineral terraces and other rock formations

This evening you are special guests at a traditional Maori Hangi (dinner feast) and dance concert at a Marae (Maori community house) in a nearby village. (BD)

Accommodation: Lake Plaza Hotel - superior accom (2 nights)

Cooked breakfast included at your hotel.

Today we enjoy a guided mountain bike ride (equipment supplied) along some of the best trails in Redwood Forest. The Challenge Trail is 2 hours of meticulously hand-built single-track weaving through exotic and native forests. Lunch is supplied.

This afternoon you will be picked up from your hotel. Mount Tarawera, just east of Rotorua, erupted in 1886 with devastating effect killing 153 people, wiping out Te Wairoa (now the Buried Village) and destroying the remarkable Pink & White terraces. Climb aboard a four-wheel-drive vehicle and scramble your way through forest & native bush to the volcano's summit with awesome views of the lakes & volcanic plateau below. The eruption blasted over a cubic mile of lava, rock & ash onto the surrounding countryside. Setting off on foot with your guide across a lunar-like landscape you'll traverse the crater rim and have the opportunity to descend a scree slide right into the crater that yielded such devastation. It's a great adventure - refreshments are supplied. (BL)

Cooked breakfast included at your hotel.

Today we travel by coach to Waitomo. A BBQ is lunch included at Roselands.

Enjoy a truly unique New Zealand adventure - Blackwater rafting! It really isn't rafting at all. We gear up in wet suits, put on a lighted hard hat and climb in a black inner tube and float on underground rivers through some spectacular caves. Some caves have the added attraction of glow worms lighting up the cave ceiling like the Milky Way. Visit is also included to famous Waitomo Caves. (BL)

Accommodation: Waitomo Caves Hotel (1 night)

Cooked breakfast included at your hotel.

Beyond the city of Hamilton, the road runs north through Ngaruawahia, home to the Maori Queen, and Huntly one of New Zealand's most important coal-mining centres. Continue on through the rolling farmlands of the Waikato River Valley, across the Bombay Hills, to join the Southern Motorway for a direct run through to Auckland city.

Your afternoon is free for some last minute souvenir shopping. (B)

Accommodation: Copthorne Harbourcity (1 Night)

Cooked breakfast included at your hotel. Day at leisure until you transfer to Auckland Airport for your departure flight home. (B)