The Pacific Coast Highway Delight Self Drive

Upon arrival in Auckland, you will be met and transferred to your accommodation. The rest of the day is free to explore. Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand on the North Island, is known as the “City of Sails” due to its attractive harbour, home to thousands of sailing boats, and a beautiful sight on a New Zealand vacation. It occupies a narrow isthmus between the harbour and the sea. It also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world.

This modern city combines urban with beautiful beaches, hiking trails, islands and a rugged West Coast. For amazing views of the city during Auckland tours on a New, Zealand vacation, visit the Skytower, the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere for 360-degree panoramic views of the city and surrounding area.

Experience the best sights of Auckland City in the morning. Auckland is set on 52 dormant volcanic cones and between two harbours, the sparkling Waitemata and the brooding Manukau. Known as the City of Sails, it is New Zealand's largest and busiest city. The morning tour is a journey of discovery designed to explore the history and sights as well as see how Aucklanders live and play. Travel up Queen Street, through Auckland's central business district, past the Auckland University and through the inner city park, known as the Domain. Continue on through the picturesque suburb of Ponsonby, with its historic buildings before heading over the Harbour Bridge to Auckland's North Shore. Stroll on Narrow Neck Beach in historic Devonport. There is time here for a coffee before continuing up to the summit of Mt Victoria with its stunning panoramic views of Auckland City. Travel back over the Harbour Bridge to Westhaven Marina, one of the largest marinas in the Southern Hemisphere. Then visit the Auckland Fish Market, before continuing on to the Viaduct Harbour.Beach in historic Devonport. There is time here for a coffee before continuing up to the summit of Mt Victoria with its stunning panoramic views of Auckland City. Travel back over the Harbour Bridge to Westhaven Marina, one of the largest marinas in the Southern Hemisphere. Then visit the Auckland Fish Market, before continuing on to the Viaduct Harbour.

Collect your car and embark on your Pacific Coast Highway Delight Self Drive. Drive north along the stunning Coromandel Coast to Driving Creek for a quintessential Coromandel experience, combining conservation, creativity, nature and adventure. Take the single gauge railway to stunning mountaintop vistas, enjoy a fascinating zipline tour through the lush conservation forest, and experience small group personalised pottery classes at Driving Creek’s unique on-site studio, hosted by local artisans.

For an otherworldly offshore experience, take a scenic boat tour to the Alderman Islands; a remote island nature reserve reminiscent of prehistoric times. Experience the old goldmining charm of historic Coromandel Town, complete with quirky boutiques, friendly locals and one of a kind creative arts galleries.

Stroll the stunning golden sands of Pauanui Beach. Wear bare feet and have a hand rolled ice cream whilst ambling along the 3km beach.

As you head south with intermittent views of the ocean, you will reach the town of Whangamata.  Famous for its surf beach and also for Whenuakura Wildlife Sanctuary, a collapsed blowhole just off the beach, where the enclosed azure lagoon is entered through a hidden sea cave.  Further south is Waihi, home to the Gold Discovery Centre.  This is worth a stop to hear the stories of yesteryear and the pioneers who shaped this part of the country. Entering the Bay of Plenty, the countryside opens out into fertile orchards and farms, home of the world-famous kiwifruit. With gold, green, and now red varieties to tempt your tastebuds, and many delightful treats, including liqueurs to savour here.  Tauranga is the main city, situated on a beautiful harbour across from dazzling Mount Maunganui Beach, voted one of the best around.  Overnighting in Tauranga gives you a wide choice of accommodation, from sophisticated apartments and waterfront hotels to relaxed kiwi motels and cottages.  Locals Tip:  make sure to take a dip at the Mt Maunganui Hotel Pools, open until 10pm each night

A great way to start the morning in Tauranga, is to climb or walk around Mauao, the sentinel peak at the entrance to the harbour with spectacular views along the surf beach and out to Mayor and Matakana Islands. Time also for a cruise with Bay Explorer on the tranquil harbour and up the coast to see dolphin and the many other forms of wildlife that live in and around these pristine waters. Your route continues around the uninterrupted white sand curve of the Bay of Plenty to Whakatane, kicking off point for a trip to Moutohora/Whale Island, one of New Zealand’s most restricted pest free wildlife sanctuaries. Enjoy a walk amongst the regenerated bush as you listen to the bird calls or dig yourself a geothermal spring pool at Onepu Bay. This is an opportunity to see New Zealand’s wildlife as nature intended it.  Access to the island is restricted to preserve its unique character, and you can overnight in Whakatane to be ready for your morning boat trip should you choose.

It is worth taking the time to drive around around the East Cape today, where coast is breathtakingly rugged and beautiful, and you really have the feeling of remote and untouched nature. The Tairāwhiti Gisborne region is the first region in the world to see the sunrise every day. Your journey will be one of discovery, the first Maori explorers and Captain Cook arrived on these shores. There are some great places like Hick’s Bay where you can overnight to break the journey if you would like to take things at a slower pace.  You should consider making the 30-minute detour to the East Cape Lighthouse, part of the pilgrimage to stand at the most-easterly place in mainland New Zealand. But for a ruly memorable firstlight experience, join guides from Ngati Porou to be the first in the world to see the sun rise on the sacred site of Maunga Hikurangi. You might also take the time to linger at the Tolaga Bay Wharf, extending far into deep water.  At 660 metres in length, New Zealand’s longest wharf is no ordinary pier. On arrival in Gisborne you will have the choice of a range of accommodation and time to enjoy some of the spectacular local wines.

In addition to wine, chardonnay being the dominant and renowned variety, Gisborne is famous for surfing.  Grab a board or maybe a bike from Cycle Gisborne to explore the area. Don’t miss a visit to Dive Tatapouri, for a unique interactive marine experience with stingrays and other sea life. Later in the day make your way to Hawke’s Bay, arriving in Napier, the stunning Art Deco capital.  For a full style experience, stay in the Art Deco Masonic Hotel and the region has an excellent range of accommodation.

You can easily spend two or three days enjoying the fabulous food and wine from this region, known as the food basket of New Zealand.  A great way to visit some of the Hawke’s Bay’s wineries, including the famous Church Road, is on the Cycle Trails, but for locals’ insider knowledge and carefree transfers, go with Prinsy’s Tours.  Gannet Safaris Overland will take you over spectacular Cape Kidnappers Station to view the largest and most accessible gannet colony in the world.  An Art Deco Tour of Napier will give you insight into how the city was rebuilt in this style followung a devastating earth quake, and for the stories of the people who came long before, Waimarama Maori Tours will show you the significant places of the area, including the iconic Te Mata peak

Your Pacific Coast Highway Delight Self Drive end todays when you return your car to the airport for your onward travel arrangements.