Thermal Wonder

On arrival in Auckland, seat in coach guests will be met and privately transferred to hotel. Self drive guests will collect a rental car and drive to their accommodation.

Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city, located between two harbours with gentle sandy shores on the east coast and black sand, wild surf beaches on the west coast. The jewel in Auckland’s crown is the Hauraki Gulf, home to sheltered, sparkling blue waters dotted with beautiful emerald islands.

Overnight: Auckland

Travel south, past rolling green hills and lush pastures to Waitomo.  Here a subterranean wonderland lies underneath with a labyrinth of caves decorated with wonderful limestone formations and galaxies of glow worms.

Enjoy a guided tour of Waitomo Glowworm Caves.  Millions of years in the making, your guide brings Waitomo Cave to life with stories of its history, features and legends.  View stunning delicate cave formations and enjoy a magical boat ride through the grotto under thousands of twinkling glowworms.

Continue on to Matamata where you will step into the enchaning village of Hobbiton™ Movie Set for a two hour tour around the set.  Your passionate guide will point out the intricate detailing, highlighting the most famous locations and explaning how the movie was made. After your tour, travel along the Thermal Exporer Highway and through Fitzgerald Glade, a green oasis lined with lush tree ferns and towering native vegetation.

From the moment you entre Rotorua, you know you are somewhere like nowhere else.  There is a scent of sulphur in the air and steam drifts from cracks and crevices. The city of Rotorua is surrounded by a fascinating geothermal landscape with spouting geysers and bubbling mud pools, freshwater lakes and majestic native forests.  Home to the Te Arawa tribe, it’s a region steeped in Maori legend.

Auckland-Waitomo: 195km         (approx 2hrs, 30mins)

Waitomo-Matamata: 102km       (approx 1hr, 20 mins)

Matamata-Rotorua: 67km          (approx 55 mins)

Overnight: Rotorua

Visit Te Puia Geothermal Valley, home to the world famous Pohutu geyser, boiling mud pools and silica formations.  You will also find the native Kiwi bird here and the national schools of wood carving, weaving, stone and bone carving.

Hear some amazing facts and join in the laughter at an Agrodome Farm Show,  Witness a live sheep sheeing demonstration and the remarkable farm dogs in action.  Visit the cute lambs and other baby farm animals in the Farmyard Nursery.

Visit Rainbow Springs Nature Park and discover New Zealand’s unique and fascintating wildlife, flora and fauna.

This afernoon is free time to experience some of Rotorua’s many other attractions.

In the evening, enjoy a traditional Maori Hangi Dinner and Concert. .Hangi is the name for a Moari earth overn using hot stones to create steam for cooking.

Overnight: Rotorua

Today you may choose whether to spend the morning in Rotorua or depart for Auckland to spend time there in the afternoon.

Rotorua – Auckland: 228km (approx. 3hrs)

Overnight: Auckland

Arrangements conclude today with a departure transfer or rental car return.