Grand Pacific Tours - 9 Day Classic North Island Itinerary

 
1

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.

Some Activities and sightseeing options if you have time:

Explore Waiheke Island     Island Kayaking Adventure     America’s Cup Sailing
Auckland's Sky Tower Relax on the Beach Rangitoto Island Cruise & Walk
West Coast Wine Tour Whale and Dolphin Safari Muriwai Surf Beach


Meals: Dinner

Accommodation Auckland - 1 night

Accommodation:
The modern and spacious Skycity Hotel Auckland is located right in the CBD and allows you to relax in style while enjoying more than 20 restaurants, cafes and bars, a theatre, free live entertainment on selected nights and the iconic Sky Tower - all right at your doorstep. Each air-conditioned room includes a private bathroom, minibar, satellite TV, including CCTV channels, and 24-hour room service. All rooms have a view of the courtyard, city skyline or Auckland Harbour.
Skycity Hotel - Auckland

2

Auckland - Bay of Islands

Travel to the Parry Kauri Park to see a magnificent example of a Kauri Tree. Enjoy an informative talk at the Kauri Museum, then travel 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 and Dinner

Accommodation Bay of Island - 2 nights

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.
Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands

3

Bay of Islands - A Coastal Paradise

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

  Dolphin Swimming   Giant Kauri Forest Walk

Cultural Tour of Waitangi

  Golf at Kauri Cliffs   Sea Kayaking the Bay


Meals: Breakfast


4

Bay of Islands at Leisure - Auckland

This morning travel aboard a luxury catamaran to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock. The cruise includes an island stopover at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island. Stroll along the white sand beach, or walk to the top of the hill for scenic views over the entire Bay of Islands. Keep an eye out for bottlenose and common dolphins before returning to Paihia. Travel south via Whangarei to Auckland. This afternoon includes a visit to Sky Tower at your leisure, one of New Zealand’s most spectacular attractions. 

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation Auckland - 1 night

Accommodation:
The modern and spacious Skycity Hotel Auckland is located right in the CBD and allows you to relax in style while enjoying more than 20 restaurants, cafes and bars, a theatre, free live entertainment on selected nights and the iconic Sky Tower - all right at your doorstep. Each air-conditioned room includes a private bathroom, minibar, satellite TV, including CCTV channels, and 24-hour room service. All rooms have a view of the courtyard, city skyline or Auckland Harbour.
Skycity Hotel - Auckland

5

Hobbiton Movie Set / Rotorua

Today enjoy a city sights tour of Auckland. Continue through the picturesque countryside to Hobbiton for a buffet lunch. This is followed by a guided tour of the Movie Set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Your guide will recount details of how this beautiful piece of farmland was transformed into The Shire from Middle Earth.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation Rotorua - 2 nights 

Accommodation:
The Distinction Hotel in Rotorua is only 500 m from to the famous Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve. This 4-star hotel offers 3 restaurants, a bar, heated spa pools and a fitness centre. Free car parking and free Wi-Fi access are provided. All rooms and suites have a modern en suite bathroom, satellite TV and broadband internet access. Many rooms have a private balcony overlooking the golf course, pool area or forest.
Distinction Hotel Rotorua

6

Exploring Rotorua - Haka - Hangi Feast

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! 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 travelling 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


7

Rotorua- Napier - Wairarapa

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 a city tour will showcase the most comprehensive collection of art deco buildings in the world. Enjoy some free time to explore the fascinating architecture before travelling through the Wairarapa, an emerging cool-climate wine region.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation Masterton - 1 night

*These Departures will not go via Napier - due to cyclone Gabrielle disrupted SH5 , instead having more free time at Lake Taupo: 14th April 2023, 25th April 2023, 2nd May 2023

One of the most luxurious in the region, Copthorne Hotel & Resort Solway Park is nestled in the lush Wairarapa Valley. Framed by the towering Tararua Ranges, this hotel boasts 102 modern bedrooms, a delightful restaurant, gym and swimming pool.

Solway Copthorne Wairarapa

8

Masterton - Wellington

Enjoy a leisurely start to the day before travelling to Greytown where you see the most complete examples of original Victorian wooden architecture. Drive through Featherston then through the Rimutaka Mountain Range into Wellington. Enjoy a city tour of the nation’s capital which highlights the history and culture on show here.

Here are some sight seeing and activity suggestions while in Wellington:

National Museum - Te Papa     Visit Cuba Street Weta Workshop Tour
Zealandia Wildlife Reserve 

Wellington Cable Car   

Carter Observatory 



Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation Wellington - 1 night

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.
James Cook Wellington

9

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 a memory card full 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.


Notes

INCLUSIONS

PRE PAID ATTRACTIONS

  • Kauri Museum*
  • Waitangi Treaty Grounds*
  • Hole in the Rock Dolphin Cruise
  • Auckland Sky Tower
  • Hobbiton Movie Set Tour & Lunch
  • Skyline Rotorua Gondola & Luge Ride
  • Agrodome
  • Thermal mud pools & geysers*
  • Te Puia traditional Maori Hangi & Concert
  • City sights tour of Auckland, Napier & Wellington

*Guided tour is included with 1 guide per 24 travellers.

TOURING

  • Personalised Meet & Greet on arrival
    Return airport transfers in New Zealand
  • Modern coach travel with 2 door access, restroom, reclining seats and panoramic windows
  • Professional Coach Captain
  • Experienced Tour Guide
  • 8 nights 4 star hotel accommodation
  • 2 two night stays
  • Hotel porterage
  • 1 cruise
  • All sightseeing and pre paid attractions
  • Comprehensive documentation pack

MEALS

  • 8 cooked breakfasts including a specialty breakfast: Stratosfare Restaurant, Rotorua
  • 7 sumptuous dinners including a specialty dinner: Maori Hangi & Concert, Rotorua
  • 1 Shire's buffet lunch: Hobbiton

Note: Dinner on Day 1 not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm.


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Profile picture for user Jess
What Jess says about this tour: Ideal for those looking for an all inclusive luxury holiday. Travelling with a Professional Captain you take in the iconic North Island locations with a bit of kiwi history, wildlife encounters, scenic beauty, indigenous culture and even the Hobbiton movie set. The pace is relaxed and the emphasis is on high quality travel.
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The price is based on current exchange rates but is only an approximation. Please contact us for a final price