SELF DRIVE ADVENTURE PACKAGE Auckland to Wellington - 10 days

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Auckland to Tutukaka

Drive north to Paihia in the Bay of Islands, launching point for the first of your 2 dives. This afternoon you dive the infamous wreck of the Rainbow Warrior, a Greenpeace vessel fatally wounded by French bombers in the Auckland Harbour, and later sunk as an artificial reef. In the late afternoon take a short drive to Tutukaka.

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Tutukaka

Dive the Poor Knights Marine Reserve, named by Jacques Cousteau as one of the top 10 dive locations in the world. The warm currents here originate in the Coral Sea, so the water temperature is higher and visibility greater than that of nearby coastal waters. Born from volcanic activity, tropical and sub-tropical life abounds in this unique underwater environment. Caves, tunnels and archways are all home to great schools of friendly colourful fish - great photography!

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Tutukaka to Auckland

After a short drive to Auckland you are going to "conquer the Sky Tower". This is the latest tourism adventure activity to hit Auckland. The vertigo adventurer climbs to a crow's nest platform a dizzy 300 metres above sea level, braving the heights to experience Auckland's ultimate panorama. It is a fully-guided two-hour climb up the heart of the Sky Tower's mast to the highest open air viewing platform, the Sky Deck, revealing unsurpassed views only comparable to a scenic flight over the city. While you're up there you may take the opportunity to bungy jump off! After lunch you might like to have a leisurely canoe to Rangitoto Island bird sanctuary for a refreshing native bush walk before returning to experience Auckland's night life.

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Auckland to Whakatane

After a drive to the Waikato region you are going to go to the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves. There are two options here - you can take a boat ride on a river running through one of the larger caves, or take the Seriously Adventurous Option and head 'down under' for some serious caving. Either option is fine with us - caving is very exciting, but it's not for everyone. If you're taking the Seriously Adventurous Option, you'll don a wetsuit, helmet and headlamp to explore the system of underground caves. You'll float down a stream, jump off waterfalls, and lie on your back with your headlamp off to admire the glow worms.

Five hours of adventuring will leave you looking forward to a scenic drive to Whakatane launch spot to dive a volcano the following day.

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Whakatane

There are very few places where you can dive a live volcano site, but White Island, which has been steaming away for centuries, is something absolutely unique. Climb to the creators edge of this active volcano in the interval between diving were Huge Kingfish, Stingrays and Blue Maomao abound, along with some huge crayfish. But what makes this place truly unique are the bubbling underwater fissures creating an underwater Jacuzzi. Warmer currents also mean nudibranches like those of the Poor Knights abound, and visibility of generally 20 metres plus is the norm.

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Whakatane to Rotorua

Enjoy the Volcanic Wonderland and experience boiling mud, steaming geysers and geothermal activity. Venture into the nearby forests to explore the mountain by horse, then mountain bike through the giant Californian redwood trees in Whakarewarewa Forest. Or you could Round off the afternoon with the excitement of a tandem skydive with 45 seconds of freefall from 12,000 feet. In the evening enjoy the cultural experience of traditional Maori-tanga (culture) at a concert and feast.

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Rotorua to Auckland or Rotorua to Tongariro

Today if you are on the 7 day itinerary you are having a leisurely drive via the beautiful Coromandel back to Auckland. The 10 day or Twin Island Adventure proceeds to Tongariro National Park, with a relaxing day enjoying the fantastic scenery of this World Heritage site, with its three volcanoes. Dining at The Hermitage that evening.

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Tongariro

Today you tramp the famous Tongariro crossing. Often described as the best one day walk in New Zealand, the Tongariro Crossing is a challenging walk taking 7-8 hours covering a distance of 17km one way (we also have a selection of walks to suit any level of fitness).

The Tongariro Crossing is exceptional. From lava strewn valleys to active volcanic vents and boiling springs, crystal lakes, lunar-like landscapes mixed with thick podocarp forest - this walk has some amazing and diverse beauty. The steep climb from the Mangaetepopo saddle between Mt Ngauruhoe is rewarded by views of Tongariro and on a clear day, Mt Taranaki to the west. The Tongariro Crossing provides an opportunity to experience some of the most scenic volcanically active areas of the park.

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Tongariro to Napier

Having made your way to Napier you can relax and be spoilt, spend the day touring vineyards, Hawkes Bay is the oldest established winegrowing region in New Zealand and contains some of the countries most famous vineyards. Early morning we will venture out to Te Mata Peak and take in the fantastic views of the area followed by a walk through an olive grove and the opportunity to taste local olives and oils. For lunch we will dine at Clearview Estate and have the opportunity of tasting their range of hand crafted single vineyard wines. In the afternoon we will visit the largest mainland Gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers.

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Napier to Wellington

On the way to Wellington you travel down through the market gardens of the Kapiti Coast area and follow the highway down the coast to Wellington.

On the way you have a Fly By Wire ride where visitors are the pilot of the world's first adventure ride that offers full pilot control of a high-speed, tethered plane. Suspension from overhead wires spanning the valley is the only constraint as passengers experience the thrill of flying at speeds of up to 120 km per hour! Arriving in Wellington to conclude your trip.

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