DAY 1 : Arrive Wellington

Welcome to New Zealand. A Kirra Tours representative will greet you at the airport with transport waiting to take you to your hotel.

Bay Plaza Hotel, 1 night

DAY 2 : Wellington / Taupo / Rotorua

Leave Wellington behind this morning as you travel north past rolling picturesque hills on your way to Paekakariki, a stunning coastal region with views that extend over Kapiti Island. On a clear day from this vantage point you may even catch sight of the South Island far in the distance if you are lucky. Continue through agricultural towns and pass idyllic rolling farmlands as you draw nearer to the central North Island National Park, a region dominated by the volcanic Mt Ruapehu. Follow this Desert Road to Lake Taupo and pause at New Zealand’s largest lake, famous for trout fishing and a popular holiday spot. Next view the mighty Huka Falls where the full force of the Waikato River pours through a narrow chasm and crashes into the river below, before skirting massive pine forests to reach Rotorua, an important centre of Maori culture and a region famous for its fascinating geothermal activity. (B)

Ibis Rotorua, 2 nights

DAY 3 : Rotorua

Day 1 Arrive Wellington
Welcome to New Zealand. A Kirra Tours representative will greet you at the airport with transport waiting to take you to your hotel.

Bay Plaza Hotel, 1 night

Day 2 Wellington / Taupo / Rotorua
Leave Wellington behind this morning as you travel north past rolling picturesque hills on your way to Paekakariki, a stunning coastal region with views that extend over Kapiti Island. On a clear day from this vantage point you may even catch sight of the South Island far in the distance if you are lucky. Continue through agricultural towns and pass idyllic rolling farmlands as you draw nearer to the central North Island National Park, a region dominated by the volcanic Mt Ruapehu. Follow this Desert Road to Lake Taupo and pause at New Zealand’s largest lake, famous for trout fishing and a popular holiday spot. Next view the mighty Huka Falls where the full force of the Waikato River pours through a narrow chasm and crashes into the river below, before skirting massive pine forests to reach Rotorua, an important centre of Maori culture and a region famous for its fascinating geothermal activity. (B)

Ibis Rotorua, 2 nights

Day 3 Rotorua
Enjoy a visit to the Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley this morning, arriving at Te Puia to be greeted at the gates by twelve awe-inspiring Guardians, each carved from wood with a distinctly unique expression and representing the divine realms. After this extraordinary arrival, you will enter the inspiring Maori Arts and Crafts Centre which aims to preserve Maori culture and traditional arts for generations to come. Discover this fascinating reserve which also showcases some of Rotorua’s best thermal activity, with its boiling mud, silica terraces and Pohutu Geyser. After your visit you will enjoy a free afternoon, allowing you to try out some optional activities if you choose. Your Coach Captain will be happy to assist you in making any bookings or in providing suggestions. This evening you will discover the Tamaki Maori Village. You will be greeted by imposing warriors who will perform the Powhiri (traditional Maori welcome) before you walk through a forest of pine trees and learn about some of the traditional Maori arts. Later enjoy a Maori hangi (traditionally prepared meats and vegetables) which has been slow cooked beneath the earth using hot stones, as well as a selection of more conventional dishes. Be inspired by a concert and cultural performance featuring stirring Maori songs, haunting chants and the famous haka. (B, D)

DAY 4 : Rotorua / Matamata / Hamilton

Cross the Mamaku Ranges this morning and leave Rotorua behind, travelling into the lush farmlands of the Waikato. Arrive into Matamata and meet your guide who will escort your group on a fun and interesting Hobbiton Movie Set and Farm Tour, providing a deeper look behind the scenes of the filming for The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Take a drive through this stunning 1,250 acre sheep farm whilst hearing about how the Hobbiton Set was created. Lastly, relax in the Green Dragon, a fun authentic style Inn just like that in the films. Later travel north to reach Hamilton where you have the afternoon free to explore before tonight enjoying a tour and dinner at the Good George Brewery, a local treat that will give you a real sense of New Zealand’s famous hospitality. (B, D)

Sudima Hamilton, 1 night

DAY 5 : Hamilton / Bay of Islands

Departing Hamilton, travel alongside the Waikato River before crossing the Bombay Hills to reach Auckland. Cross the distinctive Harbour Bridge for the drive north along the scenic Hibiscus Coast, admiring the numerous stunning beaches as you travel onwards through Kawakawa to Paihia in the beautiful Bay of Islands. Here you will be met by a local Maori guide who will travel with you to the famous Waitangi Treaty House and Grounds. Once at the Treaty House and Grounds, you are free to explore at your own pace, discovering the beautifully carved Maori Meeting House and giant war canoe all set in spectacular grounds overlooking the bay. (B)

Tanoa Hotel Paihia, 2 nights

DAY 6 : Bay of Islands

Today enjoy a full free day in the beautiful Bay of Islands – take the time to relax and stroll through Paihia, checking out the many shops and cafes as you discover for yourself exactly why the Bay is such a popular holiday destination. Alternatively, if you want to take advantage of your time here and try out some optional sightseeing activities, your Coach Captain will happily assist in booking these in for you. (B)

DAY 7 : Bay of Islands / Auckland

Travel South today through Whangarei and Warkworth, passing a satellite tracking station and lush rolling scenery until you reach the charming village of Matakohe. This pretty town is home to the award winning Kauri Museum, a locally created treasure-trove of pioneering clothing, equipment and history. Particularly fascinating are the household objects and jewellery carved from precious Kauri Amber which once belonged to local families, as well as the extraordinary wealth of information about the Kauri trees themselves, so important to the early settlement of New Zealand. After this continue on to Auckland and enjoy a city tour before you arrive at your accommodation for an afternoon at your leisure. This evening why not take a stroll down to Auckland’s vibrant Viaduct district or check out the cafe culture evident in the city’s winding laneways. And no visit would be complete without a trip to the summit of Sky Tower, at 328m the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere, for superb city and harbour views. (B)

Mercure Auckland, 1 night