The Endless Shores

Summary

Fall in love with New Zealand on this 8-day guided tour. See Wellington your way, choosing between an insider’s tour of the city with a Local Expert or a guided hike through Otari Wiltons Bush, the only botanic garden in the country dedicated entirely to native plants. Travel past the dairy country of Manawatu to Hawke’s Bay, where you will enjoy an exclusive wine tasting at one of the country’s world-famous wineries. In Rotorua, walk the Redwoods Treewalk — a maze of forested suspension bridges — and tour a working kiwi nursery and hatchery, where you can learn more about the flightless bird. Savour a flavourful Māori Hāngī feast, made from food cooked in the ground with geothermal steam. Descend the Waitomo Cave to see glow worms illuminate the caverns, then toast your trip during a celebration dinner in Auckland.

Short Itinerary

Day 1.

Welcome To Wellington

Day 2.

Wellington Sightseeing Relaxed Start

Day 3.

Wellington To Hawke's Bay

Day 4.

Exploring Napier Relaxed Start

Day 5.

Geothermal Rotorua

Day 6.

The Sights Of Rotorua

Day 7.

Waitomo And Auckland

Day 8.

Farewell Auckland

Visited cities (5): Auckland, Christchurch, Napier, Rotorua, Wellington

Highlights

Dining Summary

• 5 Dinner (D)
• 7 Breakfast (B)

Choice Highlights

• Choose between two carefully selected activities
• Wellington: Discover the stunning waterfront and the hidden laneways in the bohemian area of the heritage Cuba Street precinct. Once dimly lit back alleys, these newly rejuvenated laneways are now home to some of the country’s funkiest bars, boutiques, and breweries. Admire panoramic views of the city from the Wellington cable car.
• Wellington: Learn more about native flora and fauna on a guided walk through Otari Wiltons Bush, the only botanic garden in New Zealand, dedicated to native plants. The walk starts at the ‘Waharoa’ and heads through the Fernery and then down to the creek, where you are likely to spot some Tuna. It’s also a haven for native birds including the Kereru and Tui. A highlight of the walk is a Rimu tree estimated to be over 800 years old.

Additional Included Highlights

• Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary, available on departures with 15 or more guests.
• At every hotel, you'll be treated to seamless baggage handling, with prompt delivery inside your room.
• Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
• Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
• 
  Complimentary, private airport transfers are included on start and end dates and when additional accommodation has been booked through Luxury Gold. Guests will be transferred with fellow Luxury Gold Travellers that arrive on the same flight.
• You will be escorted by one of our fine Travel Concierges, handpicked to serve as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.

Exceptional Dining

• Wellington: Feel the warm hospitality of New Zealand's capital city, as you join your travel companions for a delicious Welcome Dinner hosted at a local restaurant.
• Hawke's Bay: Indulge in an intimate dinner with wine pairing at the award-winning restaurant of Craggy Range Winery. Feast on local produce as you sit in the shade of Te Mata Peak and drink wines from one of the region’s world-famous vineyards.
• Rotorua: Come together for a hearty and delicious meal warmed by the earth itself. Experience a uniquely prepared Hāngī feast, cooked traditionally in a pit oven using geothermal steam at Te Pā Tū. Witness a captivating live cultural performance as you dine.

Journey Highlights

• Hawke's Bay: Ease yourself into the day at your own pace with a morning at leisure in Hawke’s Bay. Grab an artisan coffee at a local cafe, stroll about the Village Green, wander Keirunga Gardens, or pop into some of the charming boutiques.
• Napier: Climb into a luxury vintage car with a discerning local guide for your personal tour of Napier. Uncover the highlights of this world-famous town’s 140 art deco buildings and sculptures from the comfort of your luxurious vehicle.
• Huka Falls: Witness the awe-inspiring power of nature at Huka Falls where nearly a quarter of a million litres of thundering water per second are funnelled from Lake Taupō and dropped eleven metres into the Waikato River below.
• Rotorua: Visit Waimangu Volcanic Valley, the world’s youngest geothermal system, formed after the eruption of Mt. Tarawera in 1886. Discover the world’s largest hot spring, volcanic crater lakes and the most incredible flora and fauna that have been untouched by man.
• Rotorua: Stand eye to eye with giant redwoods on the Redwoods Treewalk. Immerse yourself in the serene majesty of these 118-year-old trees from your 20-metre high perspective. Cross swing bridges and platforms on your elevated path through Whakarewarewa Forest.
• Rotorua: Meet the kiwi at National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa as you are invited to step behind-the-scenes at a working nursery and hatchery for New Zealand’s intriguing national bird. Seek out skinks, geckos, and incredible trout amidst the thick foliage of the park. This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience helps to fund the Hatchery and directly contribute to kiwi conservation. The hatchery has grown to become the largest and most successful kiwi hatching facility in the world, successfully incubating and hatching brown kiwi eggs, helping the North Island population considerably.
• Waitomo Cave: Enter the subterranean Waitomo Cave where you’ll be guided through the extensive network and meet the local residents, glow worms. View these fascinating glowing creatures as you glide quietly on a private tour by boat through the underground cave.
• Auckland: Discover the landmarks of New Zealand’s largest city on your afternoon tour. See the diversity of the city from bustling Queen Street and the rejuvenated Viaduct harbour to the historic buildings around the city’s university and the striking Auckland Harbour Bridge.

Personalize your day

• Wellington: Discover the stunning waterfront and the hidden laneways in the bohemian area of the heritage Cuba Street precinct. Once dimly lit back alleys, these newly rejuvenated laneways are now home to some of the country’s funkiest bars, boutiques, and breweries. Admire panoramic views of the city from the Wellington cable car.
• Wellington: Learn more about native flora and fauna on a guided walk through Otari Wiltons Bush, the only botanic garden in New Zealand, dedicated to native plants. The walk starts at the ‘Waharoa’ and heads through the Fernery and then down to the creek, where you are likely to spot some Tuna. It’s also a haven for native birds including the Kereru and Tui. A highlight of the walk is a Rimu tree estimated to be over 800 years old.

VIP Experiences

• Auckland: Raise a glass to your unforgettable journey as you enjoy your Celebration Dinner with a former member of the All Blacks rugby team. Hear stories of the world’s leading rugby team, his personal victories and how passionate Kiwis are about their national sport.

Well-being

• Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
• Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19. All Travel Directors and Drivers have completed training in enhanced well-being and hygiene protocols.
• We only work with establishments we are confident will consistently adhere to our high well-being standards, which include hotels, restaurants and sight-seeing venues.
• Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.

Travel Package

 

Coming from

 

Going to

Tour...

Wellington

Auckland

 

This is an Organised Group Tour: the itinerary has been predefined by the tour operator. The tour destinations, duration, accommodations, departure dates and the price are fix. You can join, enjoy and meet other people.

Memberships and Financial Protection