Experience the best central North Island highlights on this unique and exciting tour adventure around the East Cape along with sightseeing in Rotorua, Gisborne, Napier and Taupo. Enjoy scenic travel via the ‘Gentle Annie’ highway through heartland New Zealand.
* Home pick up & return within the Auckland area (if applicable)
* Services of Travelwise Holidays Tour Leader throughout.
* Coach touring Auckland/Rotorua/Te Kaha/ Gisborne/Napier/Taupo/National Park/Auckland.
* Quality hotel accommodation throughout as detailed in tour itinerary.
* Breakfast and dinner daily plus 3 lunches.
* Highlights include: Rotorua – Skyline Gondola Dinner, Gisborne – Eastwoodhill National Arboretum, Napier – Cape Kidnappers Gannet Safari, Dinner at Mission Estate, Taupo – Huka Falls and lunch with Penny Diprose at Rosenvale.
Wed 26 FEB - Auckland/Rotorua D
Depart Auckland and head to Rotorua. This afternoon view Ohinemutu, home to historic St Faith’s Church which was completed in 1914, and Government Gardens where the New Zealand government opened a large and elaborate bath house, built in the Elizabethan Tudor style of architecture. Later we ascend Mt Ngongotaha by Gondola for an early dinner with spectacular views over Lake Rotorua.
Stay Distinction Rotorua (1 night).
Thu 27 Feb - Rotorua /Te Kaha B,D
Morning departure from Rotorua. Our route to Te Kaha takes us via Whakatane, the heart of the Eastern Bay of Plenty. We hug the coast to Te Kaha arriving early afternoon. Located halfway between Ōhope and Hicks Bay, Te Kaha is surrounded by rolling hills, rugged coastline and vibrant pōhutukawa trees. The rest of the day is yours at leisure before dinner at the Hotel. Enjoy the pool and spa at your beachside hotel.
Stay at Te Kaha Beach Hotel (1 night).
Fri 28 Feb - Te Kaha/Gisborne B,L,D
Today you will get to experience an untapped part of New Zealand as we drive around the isolated East Cape of New Zealand. En route we visit Hicks Bay, renamed after one of the crew of the “Endeavour” is a truly lovely place. In times past a freezing works and port were established at the western end of the Bay. We enjoy an included lunch at Manuka Café near Te Araroa (or similar) and head to Tolaga Bay and its prominent wharf, notable for being 660 metres long and for its robust concrete design. When the wharf was built, it was a significant engineering achievement. for many years the only access to the town was by boat. We continue on to Gisborne. Stay Emerald Hotel Gisborne (2 nights).
Sat 01 Mar - Gisborne B,D
Spend the first part of the morning at the Gisborne Farmer Market before we head out to the world renowned Eastwoodhill National Arboretum, home to over 3500 different varieties of trees. We then visit the Tairawhiti Museum in the afternoon, the museum and art gallery has a reputation as one of the very best, most innovative regional museums in New Zealand.
Sun 02 Mar - Gisborne/Napier B,D
Before departing Gisborne we visit Kaiti Bay and see the spot where Captain Cook first landed on New Zealand shores in 1769.
We arrive in Napier in the early afternoon arrival. A world famous Art Deco city. The rest of the afternoon at leisure. Evening dinner at fabulous Mission Estate Winery. A multi-award-winning winery and an iconic landmark in the Hawkes Bay. Stay at Scenic Circle Te Pania Napier (2 nights).
Mon 03 Mar - Napier SIGHTSEEING B,D
This morning we head to Cape Kidnappers for a Gannett Safari. The guided tour will take you on a stunning discovery tour to the top of Cape Kidnappers' Gannet Colony where you will encounter over 20,000 gannets. Later we enjoy the Art Deco Sights of Napier. Dinner at the hotel.
Tue 04 Mar - Napier/Taupo B,D
We head to Waiouru via the scenic Gentle Annie route. Once the army's largest base, Waiouru lies at the southern end of the Desert Road – a naturally dramatic stretch of the highway. We stop at the Waiouru Army museum for lunch and then continue to Taupo via the Western Route and visit Huka Falls. This incredible waterfall is the most-visited natural attraction in New Zealand – it's hard to tear your gaze away from the endless, mesmerising torrent.
Stay Millennium Taupo (1 night).
Wed 05 Mar - Taupo/Auckland B,L
This morning we start with a visit to the Honey Hive for a tour and tastings before continuing north through the Waikato farmlands to lunch with Penny Diprose at Rosenvale. Rosenvale started with Penny’s passion for gardening. The grounds expanded along with requests from friends to use Rosenvale for their family weddings. It has become a popular place for special family celebrations, weddings and garden visits. Later we continue on to Auckland arriving back in the late afternoon.
