Departure dates Sat 23 Sep 2023
A tour that includes top attractions of New Zealand, but also the most beautiful NZ Cherry Blossom Festival, with its masses of bluebells, primulas and, of course, cherry blossoms. In addition, be entertained by a wide variety of music and dance acts. Street performers wander the beautiful gardens creating a dreamy carnival atmosphere. Stay at top quality hotels often the best in the area and savour great food such as fresh green lip mussels and oysters.
| Day 1 |
Meet in the morning at the Auckland Winter Gardens Cafe 9:00am Meet for introduction, tea and coffee 10:00am Explore Auckland Winter Garden 10:45am Take Auckland Museum Tour 12:00pm Stop at nearby by Café for lunch 1:30pm Drive to Thames Gold Mine 3:00pm Take Gold Mine Tour 4:00pm Drive to Whangamata, Coromandel 6:00pm Share a welcome dinner |
| Day 2 |
9.15am Meet in the lobby of the hotel 9.30 am Drive to Karangahake George 10.30am Visit waterfall. Walk across swing bridges and along a gorge 11.30am Visit gold museum and works 1.00pm Lunch in old goldmine station 2.15pm Drive to the accommodation in Hamilton stopping at interesting small towns. Optionally, have a quick dip in thermal pools 4.30pm Have free time in Hamilton Meal options – There are dozens of cafes along the adjacent river and main street. There is even a casino. |
| Day 3 |
9.15am Meet in the lobby of the hotel 9.30am Depart accommodation in Hamilton 10.30pm Arrive at Hobbiton 10.40am Take a tour of Hobbiton and enjoy a feast for lunch (Lunch included) 12.30pm Drive to the glowworm caves 2:00pm Tour the glowworm caves 3.30pm Drive to Rotorua 5.30pm Arrive at the Rotorua accommodation |
| Day 4 |
9.30am Optionally, walk from the hotel lobby around Rotorua Government Gardens and naturally formed geothermal pools. Alternatively, you may take this time to visit one of Rotorua’s many spas for relaxing and pampering 12.30 Arrive back to the Rotorua accommodation Free time until 5pm 5.30pm Take the indigenous experience at Te Puia and enjoy a performance with a traditional meal 10pm Arrive back at the Rotorua accommodation |
| Day 5 |
10.15am Meet in the lobby of the hotel 11.00am Visit the Agrodome for a kiwi farm show experience 1.30pm Lunch 3.30pm Go on Duck Boat tour in amphibious military vehicle on land and water 7.00pm – In the evening, walk the canopy among the giant redwoods |
| Day 6 |
9.15am Meet in the lobby of the hotel 9.30am Drive to Taupo 10.30am Take a Lake Taupo boat tour visiting Maori carvings 12.30pm Arrive at the accommodation in Taupo Have free time in Taupo to explore the beautiful scenery. |
| Day 7 |
9.15am Meet in the lobby of the hotel 9.30am Drive to Huka falls 9.45am Visit Huka Falls 10.00am Drive to Tirau 11.30am Visit Blue Springs 12.45pm Lunch in Tirau - a great opportunity to see this quirky town 2.00pm Drive to predator-free Sanctuary Mountain 2.35pm Take tour of nature reserve 4.00pm Drive to Hamilton accommodation 5.00pm Have free time in Hamilton |
| Day 8 |
11.00am Meet in the lobby of the hotel 11.30am Attend the NZ Cherry Blossom Festival set in a beautiful garden. Watch a wide range of performances and soak in the carnival atmosphere with many photo opportunities Lunch included 9.00pm Return to Hamilton accommodation |
| Day 9 |
10am Tour the award-winning Hamilton Gardens 12pm Lunch. Drive to Auckland 3pm Arrive at the Auckland accommodation 6pm Walk into central Auckland for farewell meal Stay at Auckland accommodation |
All accommodation is modern, well-appointed and of the best in the area. One exception is Prince’s Gate in Roturua, which was built in 1897, but is equally well-appointed.
You are in the vibrant heart of Hamilton beside the mighty Waikato river, the longest river in New Zealand. The are many dozens of restaurants, a casino, a museum, an art gallery and pleasant garden walks either side of the river. If you come a day early, you can take a boat ride or hire electric bikes to go along the river trail to reach renowned Hamilton Gardens and beyond.
You are in another great location, next to the harbour and the city centre. If you have the time and energy on your last night of the tour, you could take a short ferry ride to Devonport, or have a cocktail at the top of Sky Tower, the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere.
A new 5-star hotel in the centre of town and an easy walking distance to Government Gardens, thermal activity, shops and spa pampering.
