Grand Pacific Tours - 9 Day Signature North Island Itinerary |

Arrive in Auckland

‘Haere Mai’ and welcome to New Zealand.

Upon arriving at Auckland Airport you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel. Check in and freshen up before spending the remainder of the day exploring the ‘City of Sails’. Stroll the walkways of the Viaduct, peruse the boutique shops of the central city. Boutique shopping, Pacific-inspired markets and a passionate cafe culture make this city a charming place, enjoy an ice cream as you stroll the Mission Bay Beach board walk, choose to discover Auckland’s sparkling harbour and emerald islands on a boat cruise or ferry ride.

This evening enjoy a complimentary pre-dinner drink when you meet your Tour Leader and travelling companions for dinner.

Activities and sightseeing options if you have time:

Explore Waiheke Island	Island Kayaking Adventure	America’s Cup Sailing
Auckland's Sky Tower	Whale and Dolphin Safari	Rangitoto Island Cruise & Walk

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Auckland - 1 Night

Accommodation:

Crowne Plaza Auckland

Located in the heart of Auckland’s CBD and entertainment hub, this hotel offers superior comfort, personal service and contemporary style. Only 2 minutes away from the Sky Tower, city attractions, entertainment and dining venues. Crowne Plaza Auckland is an award-winning Auckland hotel located in the heart of the city and offer the perfect balance of superior comfort, personal service and contemporary accommodation.

Auckland - Bay of Islands

Depart Auckland and travel to Matakohe for a visit and informative talk at the Kauri Museum. Travel via Whangarei to Paihia, situated in the heart of the beautiful Bay of Islands. The Bay of Islands is a New Zealand enclave encompassing over 100 subtropical islands and is known for its undeveloped deserted beaches.

This afternoon enjoy a guided tour of the Historical Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Bay of Island - 2 Nights

Accommodation:

Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands

Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands has a sub-tropical resort ambience, with island-influenced architecture, beautifully landscaped grounds and light airy rooms.It's a perfect base to explore the beautiful Bay of Islands. Just a short walk from Paihia's village centre and the wharf. The Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands is a 4 star hotel. The Nikau Restaurant and Lounge Bar operates within the hotel and serves a la carte or buffet breakfast or dinner.

Bay of Islands at Leisure

Today is a free day. Choose from the many optional activities available, including the Cape Reinga coach trip via Ninety Mile Beach or a spectacular scenic flight. This evening is also free and you may like to enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise (optional).

Excursions available in the Bay of Islands:

Historical Island Cruise	Diving Rainbow Warrior	4WD Adventure Cape Reinga
Sailing the Islands	Sea Kayaking the Bay	Giant Kauri Forest Walk

Meals: Breakfast

Bay of Islands - Auckland

This morning cruise through the beautiful Bay of Islands aboard a luxury catamaran to Cape Brett, where a historic lighthouse keeps watch over Piercy Island, or as it is popularly known, the ‘Hole in the Rock’. Keep an eye out for dolphins and other marine life. Return to Paihia and travel south via Whangarei to Auckland. This evening is free to explore the local eateries surrounding your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Auckland - 1 Night

Accommodation:

Crowne Plaza Auckland

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour & Rotorua

This morning, enjoy a city sights tour before departing Auckland. Journey through the picturesque countryside to Hobbiton for a buffet lunch. A guided tour of the 12-acre set, will take you past whimsical Hobbit Holes, the Mill and into the Green Dragon Inn. You can now venture beyond the door and into an authentic Hobbit Hole interior for a fully immersive experience.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation Rotorua - 2 Nights

A Hobbit house at the Hobbiton Movie Set.

Accommodation:

Pullman Hotel Rotorua

A brand new build completed in late 2018, the Pullman hotel in Rotorua boasts panoramic views of the city and lake area and feature a sophisticated executive lounge - a hallmark of every Pullman hotel - business lounge, chill-out lounge, restaurant and bar, gymnasium, car parking as well as five meeting rooms catering for conference and events - This is Rotorua's latest 5 Star property.

Explore Rotorua & Maori Cultural Experience

Today begins with a gondola ride at the Skyline Rotorua where a buffet breakfast and spectacular views are on offer. There is also time for a thrilling luge ride! The next stop is Agrodome for an action-packed hour of farming entertainment and education that’s unlike anything you’ve seen before. Enjoy some free time this afternoon before traveling to Te Puia to see the boiling mud pools and awesome geysers that Rotorua is famous for.

This evening you will experience an entertaining Maori Cultural Performance which features the graceful poi dance and ferocious haka. This is followed by a Hangi feast prepared in the traditional way, over hot coals, and buried in the ground.

Meals: Breakfast, Specialty Dinner

Rotorua - Napier

Depart Rotorua and travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to Huka Falls and Lake Taupo. Continue to Napier known as “The Art Deco Capital”, where the most comprehensive collection of art deco buildings in the world can be found. Board the Hawke’s Bay Express and hear informative commentary on the city’s fascinating history. Enjoy some free time this afternoon to explore the city.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation Napier - 1 Night

Accommodation:

Scenic Hotel Te Pania - Napier

Styled to complement its remarkable location on the edge of the beautiful Hawke's Bay, Scenic Hotel Te Pania boasts design awards for its style and offers an unmatched level of service to leisure travellers. Enjoy the central waterfront location and the extensive sea views that all rooms share. Te Pania is just a short stroll from Napier’s main art deco style street with many shops, cafes and restaurants.

Napier - Wellington

This morning, travel south to Wellington. A highlight will be time to explore Gallipoli: A Scale of War exhibition at Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum. Cutting edge technology brings these stories to life through the eyes of New Zealanders who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances.

Enjoy a city tour of New Zealand’s capital, showcasing its rich history and vibrant culture. This evening enjoy a pre-dinner drink and reminisce on memories shared with your new friends at the farewell dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Specialty Dinner

Accommodation Wellington - 1 Night

Accommodation:

James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor Wellington

Wellington's iconic hotel, James Cook Grand Chancellor is situated right in the heart of the city. The friendly staff and excellent service will help make your stay in Wellington a memorable one. With well appointed rooms that all have high speed internet access, Sky TV, in house movie system, iron and board, full minibar and tea/coffee making facilities. They also offer Bodyhaven Spa Style Boutique and a complimentary in-house gymnasium.

Farewell from Wellington

Haere rā and Bon Voyage!

We are sure you will enjoy this tour and our promise is to make your travels through New Zealand as hassle-free and hospitable as possible - ensuring that today you leave with plenty of photos, and huge smiles on your faces when recalling your time in New Zealand! Have a great homeward journey, farewell and hope to see you again soon in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Meals: Breakfast

Itinerary Variations:
The provider strives to improve trip itineraries. If improvements can be made, or if circumstances beyond their control make changes necessary, the provider reserves the right to vary itineraries and to make substitutions.