Travel

Item Description

Generously provided by Pacific Destinationz! 

Day: 1 Arrive Auckland

 

On arrival in Auckland, you will be met by a Hallmark Limousines representative and transferred to your hotel by private vehicle.  The trip is for two people.

 

AUCKLAND - an exciting, sporting and cultural city, sprawled on a narrow isthmus, between two harbours. The Waitemata and Manukau Harbours, are a main feature of the city, along with numerous volcanic cones such as Mount Eden and Rangitoto Island. The city's many beaches, marinas and parks, make it ideal for outdoor pursuits such as yachting, rugby, cricket or a day at the beach. The Auckland metropolitan area is New Zealand's biggest city, and the population mix of European, Maori, and Pacific Islander, make Auckland the largest Polynesian city in the World.

 

Great Sights - Auckland Afternoon City Highlights Tour including Sky Tower 2:30pm-5:30pm

(approx 4 hrs)

Discover first-hand why Auckland is regarded as one of the best places in the world to live! This half day tour takes you around the central city, experiencing many of its best and most scenic sights. Explore Auckland's famous Queen Street followed by the history of Karangahape Road. Discover the vibrant culture of Ponsonby Village with its boutique eateries and retail stores before making your way over the Auckland Harbour Bridge for stunning views over the glittering Waitemata Harbour back to the city. Returning over the Harbour Bridge we visit the Viaduct Harbour before continuing on through the Auckland Domain. With its classic charm the Auckland Domain is the city's oldest and one of its largest parks, situated on a 62,000 year old volcano. Following our visit to the Domain we continue to Parnell Village for our morning tea stop. The historic buildings of Parnell have been transformed in to a trendy shopping area featuring many boutiques, antique, craft and specialty shops. Following this, our tour will then take you along the stunningly scenic waterfront route of Tamaki Drive to the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Park, in Mission Bay. Michael Savage is often regarded as one of New Zealand's greatest and revered Prime Ministers, and was given the title of 'New Zealander of the Century' by the New Zealand Herald in 1999. The memorial Park has beautiful panoramic views over Whenua Rangatira, Auckland city and Waitemata Harbour. This park is a popular wedding venue, with its formal gardens and tranquil atmosphere. Next we head towards Mission Bay, the popular seaside suburb which was once home to a Melanesian Missionary school. Enjoy the beach and promenade - popular with Aucklander's and visitors alike.  

 

The tour will then take you back along the waterfront to Auckland's SkyTower.

At 328m in height, Sky Tower is the tallest free standing structure in the Southern Hemisphere. Take in the 360 degree views from the top! Tour concludes at SkyTower at your leisure.

 

Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Auckland, Superior Studio, 1 Night

 

 

Day: 2 Auckland - Hobbiton - Rotorua

 

Bush & Beach - Hobbiton Express Tour - Auckland to Rotorua

This morning you will be collected from your Auckland accommodation by Bush & Beach and travel south from Auckland over the Bombay Hills to the rich farmland of the Waikato region. You travel through the heritage town of Cambridge where tree-lined streets add to the English-style atmosphere. From here your journey takes you through undulating green hills reminding you that you are approaching Hobbiton Shire.

 

On arrival at Shire's Rest you embark on your Hobbiton movie set tour. This location is the largest "green set" in the world and the only place where you get an emotional response with a movie set in a natural setting. You see 37 hobbit holes, the Mill and double arch bridge, the party tree and visit the Green Dragon Inn. At this stunning location you can take a photo at the door of Bilbo's house, "Bag End", looking out over the whole set to the hills in the distance.

After the tour take the Shuttle from Shire's Rest to Rotorua.

 

Trip includes: Transport with full commentary from Auckland to Hobbiton and shuttle transport on to Rotorua, admissions and guided tour of Hobbiton Movie Set.

 

ROTORUA - located on a volcanic plateau, and formerly a spa town, Rotorua is most famous for its geothermal activity. Rotorua is the main place in New Zealand where aspects of Maori traditions can be seen, from wood carvings, and meeting houses, to a Hangi Dinner and Maori dances. Native and introduced tree species abound locally and combined with several picturesque lakes, Rotorua is a fascinating mix of culture and nature.

 

Accommodation: Sudima Lake Rotorua, Superior Room, 2 nights

 

 

Day: 3 At Rotorua

 

Great Sights Discover Rotorua Morning Sights including Lunch at Skyline (7.25am - 2.15pm)

Drop-offs to Hotels start from 2.15pm and conclude approximately 20 minutes later subject to traffic and order of drop-offs.

This morning you will be collected from your accommodation by Great Sights. Included in your half-day tour is a visit to Te Puia where you can view mighty geysers, boiling mud pools, and the traditional arts & culture of the Maori People; Rainbow Springs, a unique showcase of New Zealand's flora and fauna including New Zealand's national icon, a kiwi bird; and Agrodome Sheep Show, a hands-on experience giving you an animated insight into New Zealand's farming history. Lunch is included today at Skyline Gondola Complex.

 

Te Puia - Guided Tour - Te Po Hangi & Concert

Today you will be collected from your accommodation for your Cultural experience. Enjoy a guided tour of the valley with one of Te Puia's world renowned guides. As part of the tour you will visit New Zealand's national carving and weaving schools and witness these disciplines in practice, under the guidance of our full-time master carvers and weavers. You will visit award winning interactive galleries, see a kiwi bird up close, and most importantly, hear our stories as told by the descendants of the valley. To conclude the tour you will visit the geyser and mud pools and then be invited to have a short rest prior to the beginning of the evening experience. Traditionally, Te PÅÂÂÂÂ? is an intimate time for sharing knowledge. Te PÅÂÂÂÂ? is also Te Puia's authentic evening cultural experience, a feast of food, culture and friendship. It begins every night at Te-Heketanga-a-Rangi (The Heavenly Origins). The space comprises twelve monumental carvings reaching skywards, each one representing a MÄÂÂÂÂ?ori diety. Hear the stories of the past and see how these traditions live on today. Feeding guests is regarded by MÄÂÂÂÂ?ori as an honour and a sign of a tribe's mana (standing), so a sumptuous banquet is provided during the evening. This banquet combines contemporary cuisine with a traditional hangi (earth-cooked oven meal), where kai (food) is steam-cooked by hot rocks in the earth, giving it a delicious smoky flavour. Following dessert, you will be transported by our people movers to enjoy the spectacular lighting of the Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley. Guests can wander around the illuminated natural attractions, including Pohutu geyser.

 

 

Day: 4 Rotorua - Waitomo Caves - Auckland

 

Great Sights Waitomo Caves, Rotorua to Auckland (7.30am - 3.25pm)

Drop-offs to Hotels start from 3.25pm and conclude approximately 30 minutes later subject to traffic and order of drop-offs.

Today you will be collected from your accommodation by Great Sights. Enjoy a day trip from Rotorua to Auckland, through lush rolling farm landscape to the mystical Waitomo Glow worm Caves. After lunch, enjoy a guided tour through the galleries and lofty chambers of the Caves. Your tour culminates with a boat ride through the Glow worm Grotto, lit up by thousands of tiny living lights. Continue to your journey to Auckland. Tour Includes Lunch

 

Travel arrangements conclude on arrival in Auckland at SKYCITY Coach Terminal, Hobson St, Auckland City.

Item Special Note

This item must be scheduled by December 31st, 2015.  If wanting to use the trip at a later date, please schedule with the donating travel oranization to assure availability.

Costs include -

• Accommodation in hotels as specified, share twin subject to availability.
• Goods & Services Tax 15%
• Travel documentation including Travel Wallet, detailed itinerary, Welcome letter and regional brochures

 

Costs exclude

• Airfares National or International
• Airport Tax (Rotorua NZ$5.00pp) subject to increase
• Personal expenses & tips
• Drinks during meals (except water/tea/coffee)
• Any items of personal nature
• Optional activities
• Parking fee at hotel, if applicable
• Road toll and car ferry fee, if applicable
• Fuel for rental car
• Additional rental car charges (eg Airport pickup charges)
• Insurance excess and additional accessories (eg GPS unit, child car seat)

 

Subject to

• Subject to surcharges beyond our control
• Accommodation subject to availability
• Subject to public holiday surcharges on transportation
• Subject to any increase in Goods & Services Tax (GST) currently 15%