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| self drive tours > 11 Day Northern Rhapsody North Island Self Drive Tour |
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Day 1: Arrive Auckland
Welcome to Auckland! On arrival at the airport you collect your rental vehicle before making your way to your centrally located accommodation.
Included for the duration of your rental car hire is an innovative commentary system. Imagine driving around New Zealand automatically gaining an in-depth knowledge of the history of the towns and regions you pass through, hearing ancient Maori myths and legends, listening to stories told by the characters that shaped our history, learning of the unique wildlife, geographical landmarks and scenic attractions that you see as you travel. Packed with over 2,000 audio commentaries, KRUSE® is guaranteed to keep you entertained and informed everywhere you go on your New Zealand self-drive holiday.
| Hotel: |
Sky City Hotel - Premium Room |
| B&B: |
Aachen House - Luxury Room |
| Boutique: |
Mollies - Villa Suite |
Day 2: Auckland to Hokianga Harbour & Twilight Encounter
Drive over the Auckland Harbour Bridge towards the bays and beaches of Auckland’s North Shore. Travel along the Hibiscus Coast before turning to the west and passing through the towns of Matakhoe and Dargaville. Drive through the Waipoua Forest and follow the steep climb of the highway to suddenly reveal the majestic beauty of the Hokianga Harbour. This evening you enjoy a Twilight Encounter – a unique eco-cultural night walk of the Waipoua Kauri Forest, hosted by guides of the local iwi (Maori tribe). An experience not to be forgotten, this 4 hour night experience visits the oldest and largest known kauri trees in the world, Te Matua Ngahere (The father of the forest) and Tane Mahuta (The lord of the forest). Let the night noises, foreign environment, time, local Maori guides and ecological and cultural interpretation (Maori story, song and instruments) awaken your spirtual senses.
| All: |
Copthorne Hokianga Hotel - Superior Beachfront Room |
Day 3: Hokianga to the Bay of Islands & Excitor "Hole in the Rock"
It's just a short drive today to bring you to the seaside town of Paihia in the Bay of Islands. This afternoon you join your 1 ˝ hour high speed powerboat adventure through the islands out to Cape Brett. Navigate the ‘Hole in the Rock’ (conditions permitting) and Grand Cathedral Cave at Motukokako Island. Feel the adrenalin rush as 1600hp blasts you across the Bay – don’t worry if the weathers a bit rough, the bigger the waves, the better the buzz! Take your camera, there’s plenty of photo opportunities as you'll often see Dolphins, Whales, Seals, Penguins and other sea and birdlife.
| Hotel: |
Copthorne Bay of Islands - Waterview Room (2 nights) |
| B&B: |
Arcadia Lodge - Guest Room (2 nights) |
| Boutique: |
Bay of Islands Lodge - Guest Room (2 nights) |
Day 4: At Leisure
Paihia is known as the jewel of the magnificent Bay of Islands. With shimmering safe waters and superb beaches it’s a great place to be based for your Bay of Islands experience. Take a relaxing walk along unspoilt beaches, a guided tour through historical sites or try your hand at big game fishing. And if adventure is what you seek, perhaps try skydiving, parasailing, scuba diving or kayaking.
Day 5: Bay of Islands to the Coromandel Peninsula
Depart Auckland today as you travel south along the Southern Motorway to reach the market garden area of Pukekohe. Then join the Pacific Coast Highway and continue on to reach your destination of the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula, a beautiful rugged area fringed with dozens of excellent beaches.
| Hotel: |
Grand Mercure Puka Park - Treehut Chalet (2 nights) |
| B&B: |
Colleith Lodge - Guest Room (2 nights) |
| Boutique: |
Villa Toscana - Exclusive Use (2 nights) |
Day 6: Nature & Coast Guided Walk
This full day walk is a photographer's dream! A delightful sample of Coromandel Peninsula's natural heritage and scenic beauty. Enjoy the flora & fauna of the semi-tropical rainforest with giant ferns, kauri trees and crystal clear streams. Visit the old historic gold caves sparkling with glowworms and hear the fascinating history of this magic area. Visit stunning coastal scenery with white sand beaches, magnificent cliffs decorated with ancient Pohutukawa trees, old Maori pa sites and offshore islands as well as a visit to Hot Water Beach [tide permitting]. Lunch will be a delightful picnic or a visit to a café.
Day 7: Coromandel Peninsula to Taupo
Today travel along the Bay of Plenty Coastline before heading inland across the volcanic plateau to the geothermal city of Rotorua, known for it's geysers and boiling mud pools, passing many of the regions crystal clear lakes en-route. You then continue south through the large Kaingaroa man made forest to reach the popular lake resort of Taupo, home to New Zealand's largest lake and the spectacular Huka Falls.
| Hotel: |
Wairakei Resort - Executive Room (2 nights) |
| B&B: |
Paeroa Lakeside Homestay - Rose Garden Suite (2 nights) |
| Boutique: |
Chalet Eiger - Guest Room (2 nights) |
Day 8: Huka Falls Jetboat Ride
Today you feel the exhilaration and the power of a Huka Jet jetboat ride. Marvel at the incredible water level views of the spectacular Huka Falls, and enjoy the sensation as you slide past cliffs and trees at 80km per hour. Then get ready for a 360 degree spin, as the boat turns on its own length! Your 30 minutes of fun and excitement takes you along a beautiful river environment, lined with native bush and natural hot springs. You’ll travel up to the very base of the Huka Falls, past the Wairakei Thermal Power Station, Prawn Park and the Aratiatia Dam. Afterwards a host of leisure experiences are available in Taupo today. Perhaps enjoy a round of golf at one of several local courses, a swim in a warm thermal pool, enjoy fly fishing on the lake or rivers, sail or explore the local township.
Day 9: Taupo to Waitomo & Ruakuri Caves
The cross-country route to Waitomo Caves takes you past Wairakei Geothermal Power Station before turning west after the hydro power station at Atiamuri. Drive through a mixture of farmland, lakeland and forest before reaching Waitomo Caves, a region famous for its subterranean splendour. This afternoon you visit Ruakuri cave which offers a captivating blend of Waitomo's most compelling subterranean experiences. In any one tour, your guide will bring you up close to glowworms, elaborate cave formations, underground rivers, myths, legends and sacred Maori sites. Your journey begins as you are transported to Ruakuri Cave, where you will enter and begin a spiral descent from ground level via an incredible drum entrance and walkway. You then continue on a 1.6 kilometre guided tour underground. Ruakuri is New Zealand's longest guided underground walking tour and an experience that must be seen to be believed. I t will leave you open-mouthed, awe-struck and humbled by the sheer majesty of nature.
| All: |
Kamahi Cottage - Exclusive Use |
Day 10: Waitomo to Auckland
The trip to Hamilton takes you through prime Waikato farmland. The Waikato River will then accompany you for much of your journey north towards Auckland. You know you’re getting close to Auckland when you reach the motorway at the base of the Bombay Hills. The scenery will change gradually from market gardens to bloodstock farms to suburbia.
| Hotel: |
Sky City Hotel - Premium Room |
| B&B: |
Aachen House - Luxury Room |
| Boutique: |
Mollies - Villa Suite |
Day 11: Depart Auckland
Sadly your time in New Zealand comes to an end as you return your rental vehicle to Auckland Airport in time to join your onward flight. Here, we bid you a fond farewell to your homeland and hope you leave with many happy memories of your stay in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
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Package Inclusions
- Transport by your choice of rental vehicle including unlimited kilometres & daily insurance
- KRUSE commentary system for duration of rental vehicle hire
- 10 nights accommodation of your choice
- Breakfast included daily
- Twilight Encounter in the Waipoua Forest
- Excitor fast boat trip to Cape Brett & the Hole in the Rock
- Full day Nature & Coast guided walk
- Huka Falls Jetboat Ride
- Entrance & guided tour of Ruakuri Caves
- Detailed travel itinerary in both electronic and hard copy format
- Arrival documents including information on the regions you are visiting
- Driving directions & maps
- 24 hour on call assistance during your vacation
- Optional discounted travel insurance through Comprehensive Travel
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Package Prices
Valid for travel 01 October 2009 to 30 April 2010
| Vehicle Choices (More Info)
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Hotel |
B&B |
Boutique |
| Intermediate Sedan |
$3,030 |
$3,517 |
$4,631 |
| Full Size Sedan |
$3,066 |
$3,553 |
$4,667 |
| Intermediate 4WD |
$3,159 |
$3,646 |
$4,760 |
| Full Size 4WD |
$3,440 |
$3,927 |
$5,041 |
Valid for travel 01 May 2010 to 30 September 2010
| Vehicle Choices (More Info)
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Hotel |
B&B |
Boutique |
| Intermediate Sedan |
$2,509 |
$3,121 |
$3,997 |
| Full Size Sedan |
$2,531 |
$3,142 |
$4,018 |
| Intermediate 4WD |
$2,631 |
$3,243 |
$4,119 |
| Full Size 4WD |
$2,876 |
$3,487 |
$4,364 |
Valid for travel 01 October 2010 to 30 April 2011
| Vehicle Choices (More Info)
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Hotel |
B&B |
Boutique |
| Intermediate Sedan |
$3,044 |
$3,589 |
$4,626 |
| Full Size Sedan |
$3,080 |
$3,625 |
$4,662 |
| Intermediate 4WD |
$3,173 |
$3,718 |
$4,755 |
| Full Size 4WD |
$3,339 |
$3,884 |
$4,920 |
- Prices are per person in New Zealand Dollars, based on share twin accommodation
- Single & triple prices available on request
- B&B properties are not suitable for children
Fully Flexible Holidays!
All of our self drive holidays are completely flexible. Whether you want to mix and match a couple of packages, add some extra nights before, after or during your stay or include some additional attractions or activities, our team of travel specialists are here to assist you. We're New Zealander's so we have the local knowledge and expertise to tailor a package just for you. Just let us know when you enquire.
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| Enquire Now |
To receive more information about this package, please complete the below enquiry form. Once received, one of our specialist travel consultants will be in contact by the next working day.
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