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North Island Tour

From £2900

Excluding Flights

8 Nights

Jan-May & Sep-Dec

Overview

Escape to New Zealand’s majestic North Island and discover the island’s history, culture and beautiful scenery. Focusing entirely on the North Island, travelling in comfort on your preferred level of touring – this 9-day itinerary is available as a Signature or Ultimate tour. Whichever option you choose, you can be sure of a relaxing introduction to New Zealand, in the company of an experienced guide and with like-minded fellow travellers.

Stay in the picturesque Bay of Islands before visiting the ‘City of Sails’ Auckland, and the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua. Experience the legendary Lord of the Rings movie set at Hobbiton before continuing via the Art Deco city of Napier to the wine region of the Wairarapa, ending your tour in the NZ capital, Wellington. Along the way you’ll cruise in search of dolphins, delve into Maori culture and witness the earth’s geothermal activity in the form of bubbling mud pools and spouting geysers.  

On arrival into Auckland, you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel. This evening enjoy a complimentary pre-dinner drink when you meet your Tour Leader and travelling companions for dinner.  

Depart Auckland and travel to Matakohe for a visit and informative talk at the Kauri Museum. Travel via Whangarei to Paihia, situated in the heart of the beautiful Bay of Islands. Travel via Whangarei to Paihia, situated in the heart of the beautiful Bay of Islands. Enjoy a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the location of the signing of the treaty between the Māori tribes and the British. 

Today is a free day to explore the Bay of Islands. Your Coach Captain will assist with the many optional activities available, including the Cape Reinga coach trip via Ninety Mile Beach, a spectacular scenic flight over the crystal-clear turquoise waters of the Bay of Islands or you might be interested to sail in a classic tall ship. This evening is also at leisure, you may like to enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise (optional) or try one of the waterfront restaurants. 

This morning you will explore the scenic beauty of the Bay of Islands including an island visit aboard a luxury catamaran. Cruise to Cape Brett and the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’, keep an eye out for dolphins and other marine life. On return to Paihia travel south via Whangarei before returning to Auckland. This evening is free to dine at leisure. 

This morning embark on a city sights tour of Auckland, dubbed the ‘City of Sails’. Depart Auckland and travel through the picturesque countryside to Hobbiton for a buffet lunch. A guided tour of the 12-acre set, will take you past whimsical Hobbit Holes, the Mill and into the Green Dragon Inn. You can now venture beyond the door and into an authentic Hobbit Hole interior for a fully immersive experience. 

Today begins with a gondola ride and breakfast at Skyline Rotorua where spectacular views are on offer. There is also time for a thrilling luge ride! Next stop is Agrodome for an action-packed hour of farming entertainment and education that is unlike anything you’ve seen before. Enjoy some free time this afternoon before travelling to Te Puia to see the boiling mud pools and awesome geysers that Rotorua is famous for. This evening enjoy a Hāngi feast, prepared in the traditional way, over hot coals and buried in the ground. This is followed by an entertaining Māori cultural performance which features the graceful poi dance and ferocious haka. 

Depart Rotorua and travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to Huka Falls and Lake Taupo. Continue to Napier known as ‘The Art Deco Capital’, where the most comprehensive collection of art deco buildings in the world can be found. Board the Hawke’s Bay Express and hear informative commentary on the city’s fascinating history. Enjoy some free time this afternoon to explore the city. 

Travel south this morning into Wellington for a city tour of the nation’s capital which will highlight the history and culture on show here. A highlight this afternoon will be time to explore Gallipoli: A Scale of War exhibition at Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum. Cutting edge technology brings these stories to life through the eyes of New Zealanders who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner including selected beverages with your newfound friends. 

Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday. 

Your choice of touring styles

This holiday is available in two different levels of touring style.

 

Signature Coach Tours

Sit back and relax on a spacious, specially designed 32-seater coach, accompanied by a Coach Captain and Tour Guide. These traditional-style tours include 4-star accommodation.

 

Ultimate Small Group Tours

Aimed at the discerning traveller, the purpose-built Ultimate coach features just 20 luxury leather seats and offers a level of comfort unparalleled by any other vehicle touring in New Zealand. These small group holidays include 4.5-star accommodation and the services of an experienced Coach Captain.

new zealand ultimate luxury coach travel interior seating gpt2

The Ultimate Coach

 

The Ultimate Coach is in a class of its own. This full size coach (13.5 metres long) which would normally house 48 seats has been reconfigured with only 20 luxury leather seats, offering maximum space and comfort as well as a more intimate small group touring experience.

Travel in business-class style as you enjoy the extensive onboard features:

  • 20 luxury leather fully reclining seats adjustable headrest & calf support
  • Panoramic viewing, air-conditioning and seat belts
  • Wood grain timber tray table with built in cup holder
  • Seat side personal storage area providing easy access to your travel bag
  • Personal audio control unit with multiple music channels & set of headphones
  • Individual USB point for charging your camera, mobile phone and iPod
  • Stylish centre galley area equipped with refrigerated drinking fountain and fridge
  • Complimentary daily on board Wi-Fi allowance
  • Onboard restroom

Prices

What's Included

  • Accommodation for 8 nights (standard hotels for Signature Tours, Superior hotels for Ultimate tour)

  • 8 breakfasts, 6 dinners including 2 speciality dinners & 1 lunch

  • Transportation in specially configured coach

  • All attractions as per the itinerary (unless specified as optional)

  • Professional Coach Captain; plus Tour Leader on Signature Tour

  • 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday

  • No surcharge guarantee

  • Full financial protection

From £2900 Excluding Flights

8 Nights

Jan-May & Sep-Dec

Make this trip yours

Every trip you see here can be adapted to suit you using inside-out knowledge to create one-off experiences created just for you.

We create holidays that are as individual as you are. And we’ve been doing it for 40 years, crafting each and every holiday using our in-depth knowledge and enthusiasm for our destinations. Whatever your brief, we’ll create an amazing trip for you to get excited about. That might mean adapting one of our existing itineraries or we’ll build you one from scratch. 

Experts with real experience