To be linked to any North Island Tour - Bay of Islands Escape, Coromandel Kaleidoscope, Natural Treasures, Dream Ticket. Auckland is the world' s largest Polynesian city - cosmopolitan in attitude, pacific in flavour with a vibrant heart.

• QUEEN STREET: "The Golden Mile" for Auckland's business and shopping
• UNIVERSITY: Features historic buildings and an early NZ Government House
• HARBOUR BRIDGE: Cross the eight lane connection to the North Shore with amazing views of the harbour and marina
• PARNELL VILLAGE: See an eclectic mix of cafés, bars and turn of the Century villas
• MT EDEN: Spectacular 360 degree views from an extinct volcano and once a fortified Maori stronghold
• DOMAIN PARKS AND GARDENS: Picturesque park and lakes laid out in a large extinct volcano crater
• WATERFRONT, BEACHES AND MANSIONS: Pohutukawa tree lined coastal drive, Mission Bay and Paratai Drive homes

Northland's West Coast is a place of wild beaches, spectacular sand dunes, peaceful forests and sites rich in Maori and European history.

DAY 1 - AUCKLAND - KAITAIA

• DARGAVILLE: A river town full of history and character
• MATAKOHE MUSEUM: Outstanding displays of the magnificent kauri tree, it's timber, gum and early pioneering in New Zealand
• BAYLYS BEACH: Explore the beach and view the towering sand dunes
• KAI IWI LAKES: Stunning recreational reserve that provides a playground for swimming, boating, wind surfing, water skiing and
  trout fishing
• DOC WAIPOUA VISITOR CENTRE: Offers extensive forest information
• WAIPOUA FOREST: Stand in awe at the giant 1,200 year old Kauri tree just a few minutes walk from the road
• OPONONI: Massive sand dunes across the harbour of this seaside settlement and hear about affectionate "Opo" the famous
  dolphin
• RAWENE: Catch the vehicular ferry across the Hokianga Harbour to Kohukohu

DAY 2 - CAPE REINGA TOUR
Top of New Zealand, and witness the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean crash together below the lighthouse

• 90 MILE BEACH: Experience the solitude and magnificence as you take an unforgettable ride along the "Sand Highway" beach
• TE PAKI STREAM: Enjoy the thrill of negotiating this quick-sand stream
• SAND TOBOGGANING: For energetic passengers to have fun on these huge sand dunes
• GUMDIGGERS PARK & ANCIENT BURIED KAURI FOREST: Guided tour into the everyday life of old gum diggers
• CAPE REINGA: Place of intense cultural and spiritual significance to Maori
• ANCIENT KAURI KINGDOM: View massive kauri logs and stumps (over 30,000 years old) extracted from local swampland

DAY 3 - KAITAIA - PAIHIA
Countless golden beaches fringed by pohutukawa trees, clear sparkling waters, dramatic headlands, historic tales

• KERIKERI: Famous for historic buildings, citrus orchards and craft shops
• HARURU FALLS: These unusual horse shaped falls are reputed to have a taniwha (water monster) living in the lagoon below the
  falls
• PAIHIA: Known as the "Jewel" of the Bay of Islands. Explore trendy shops, and walk along the beach
• WAITANGI NATIONAL RESERVE: Where Maori Chiefs signed the historic treaty with the British Crown at the Treaty House,
  also Maori Meeting House and magnificent war canoe
• DOLPHIN CRUISE: On a luxury twin deck vessel to the famous "Hole in the Rock"
• RUSSELL: On a mini walking tour learn why this romantic place was once called "Hell Hole of the Pacific".

DAY 4 - PAIHIA - AUCKLAND
Shining white sand, secluded coves and tranquil harbours-travel through the warm, sub tropical north in an uncomplicated, relaxing, rewarding way

• KAWAKAWA: Impressive public toilets adorned with mosaics, gold domes and grass topped roof that have become a utilitarian
  shrine
• WHANGAREI CITY: Northland's only city and largest port, relax a while in the trendy town basin
• MT PARAHAKI: Panoramic views - once the site of NZ's largest Maori fortification
• WARKWORTH TOWNSHIP: An idyllic setting, also satellite receiving station
• HIBISCUS COAST: Popular holiday and retirement resort with beautiful beaches
• AUCKLAND HARBOUR BRIDGE: Cross the eight lane connection to Auckland with amazing views of the harbour and marina

Known for colourful history, relaxed life style, conversationalists, alternative life-stylers, artists and crafts people.

DAY 1 - AUCKLAND - WHITIANGA
An old gold mining area, steeped in history dating back to the boom time of the 1860's.

• THAMES & COROMANDEL TOWNS: Gold mining and kauri logging history
• POHUTUKAWA COAST: Rugged, scenic coastline were the trees hang on to the cliff edges
• DRIVING CREEK RAILWAY: Narrow gauge railway through native forest, with interesting commentary about local history,
  ecology and environmental projects
• KAURI GROVE: Majestic survivors, saved from the ravaging of overseas timber traders
• WHITIANGA: Scallop capital of New Zealand and great holiday place

DAY 2 - WHITIANGA - TAURANGA
The Pacific Ocean dominates this day with surf beaches, stunning harbours, crystal clear turquoise waters for offshore exciting game fishing challenges.

• HAHEI: Idyllic beach, sands tinted pink with crushed shell, skin divers delight
• HOT WATER BEACH: Hot springs seep through the sand; at low tide you can scoop out your own spa pool
• WINERY VISIT: Cellar door tastings and sales. An excellent opportunity to try a variety of local wines
• TAURANGA: Vibrant waterfront city
• MT MAUNGANUI: Popular holiday destination with New Zealand's first man made surfing reef
• WAIHI: View the working open pit mine that produces more than $1million worth of gold and silver each week

DAY 3 - TAURANGA - ROTORUA
Drive through the "Kiwifruit capital of the world" - warm climate, fertile soils and a melting pot of arts, crafts and antiques.

• KIWIFRUIT ORCHARD TOUR: Learn about (and taste) our recognisable icon while you travel around the orchard in a "kiwi cart"
• COMVITA VISITOR CENTRE: Bee fascinated with the home of natural health and bee products
• ROTORUA CITY TOUR: Includes Lake front, Government Gardens, Kuirau Park
• AGRODOME FARM SHOW: Be entertained as you watch a flock of sheep mustered by highly trained sheep dogs, shearing
  demonstrations and learn about our important industry
• RAINBOW SPRINGS: Stroll through native bush, viewing crystal clear spring fed pools teaming with trout
• MAORI CULTURAL PERFORMANCE WITH HANGI: Experience the spirit of the ancestral Maori with evening feast cooked the
  traditional way on hot stones in an authentic earthen oven, followed by tribal music and dancing

DAY 4 - ROTORUA - TAUPO
Experience the raw beauty and sheer power that Mother Nature offers in all forms of geothermal activity. So stimulate the senses with the sights and sounds of plopping mud, sizzling earth and spouting geysers.

• EXOTIC FORESTS: Drive through the largest man made forest in the Southern Hemisphere
• LADY KNOX GEYSER: Only geyser that can be relied on to give a display (up to 20m)
• WAI-O-TAPU: Innumerable colours of every tint and hue displayed in pools, lakes, craters, steam vents, mineral terraces and
  even the tracks you walk on. See violently boiling mud pools, delicate silica terraces, huge craters and the famous Champagne
  Pool
• ARATIATIA CONTROLLED RAPIDS: Watch the control gates open, releasing vast volumes of water down a rocky gorge turning
  it into thunderous rapids
• LAKE TAUPO LOOKOUT: New Zealand's largest crater lake resulting from the most violent eruption on earth
• HUKA FALLS: Enough water is dumped through a narrow rock channel to fill two Olympic swimming pools every second
• HONEY HIVE: A showcase of honey products and see the bees at work
• BUNGY JUMP VIEWING: Jump if you dare (optional extra)
• HUKA JET BOAT: For fantastic full on adrenalin (optional extra cost)

DAY 5 - TAUPO - WAITOMO - AUCKLAND
Beneath the surface it all begins, all the hidden treasures of the underworld.

• WAIRAKEI GEOTHERMAL FIELDS LOOKOUT: Discover how natural steam energy is harnessed to generate electricity
• ARAPUNI HYDRO DAM: Cross over one of eight hydro-electric dams on the Waikato River
• GLOWWORM CAVES: Experience the magic of an ancient labyrinth of limestone caves and formations and be enchanted by
  you silent boat ride through the spectacular Glowworm grotto
• ANGORA RABBIT WORLD: Fluffy white rabbits are shorn for their angora fibres
• WAIKATO: See some of the most productive farmland in the world, with it's dairy, sheep and deer farms
• BOMBAY HILLS: Market gardening area provides 1/3 of the nation's vegetable produce

This tour is designed as a prelude to South Island Tours - Serendipity, Driven to Paradise, Refresh Your Senses. Alternatively it may be taken as a finale to end the tour (in reverse order).

DAY 1 - AUCKLAND - WAITOMO - ROTORUA Travel through one greenest places and richest agricultural producers in the world.

• BOMBAY HILLS: Market gardening area provides 1/3 of the nation's vegetable produce
• WAIKATO: See some of the most productive farmland in the world, with it's dairy, sheep and deer farms
• KIWI HOUSE: Get up close and personal with our national icon, the Kiwi
• GLOWWORM CAVES: A guided tour amongst limestone formations and caverns illuminated by the lights of thousands of glow
  worms
• ARAPUNI HYDRO DAM: Cross over one of eight hydro-electric dams on the Waikato River
• ROTORUA: Built on a steaming underground cauldron. Awesome geysers, fumeroles, colourful silica terraces and boiling mud
  pools
• AGRODOME FARM SHOW: Be entertained as you watch a flock of sheep mustered by highly trained sheep dogs, shearing
  demonstrations and learn about our important industry
• RAINBOW SPRINGS: See NZ flora and fauna and thousands of trout in crystal clear pools
• LAKE ROTORUA: Drive along the foreshore past hundreds of ducks and swans then through the beautiful, historic Government
  Gardens
• GOVERNMENT GARDENS: Historic Tudor Towers, original bath house now fully restored to it's former glory
• MAORI CULTURAL PERFORMANCE WITH HANGI: Experience the spirit of the ancestral Maori with evening feast cooked the
  traditional way on hot stones in an authentic earthen oven

DAY 2 - ROTORUA -TAUPO We have the utmost respect for our environment and culture. Feel the power, the calm, the contrasts.

• LADY KNOX GEYSER: Only geyser that can be relied on to give a display (up to 20m)
• WAI-O-TAPU: Innumerable colours of every tint and hue displayed in pools, lakes, craters, steam vents, mineral terraces and
  even the tracks you walk on. See violently boiling mud pools, delicate silica terraces, huge craters and the famous Champagne
  Pool
• EXOTIC FORESTS: Drive through the largest man made forest in the Southern Hemisphere
• LAKE TAUPO LOOKOUT: New Zealand's largest crater lake resulting from the most violent eruption on earth
• HUKA FALLS: Enough water is dumped to fill two Olympic swimming pools every second
• WAIRAKEI GEOTHERMAL FIELDS LOOKOUT: Discover how natural steam energy is harnessed to generate electricity
• BUNGY JUMP VIEWING: Jump if you dare (optional extra)
• HUKA JET BOAT: For fantastic full on adrenalin (optional extra cost)

DAY 3 - TAUPO - WELLINGTON
Deserts, mountains, lakes, pristine rivers, active volcanoes, rich farmland and native flora and fauna are all part of the unique region.

• TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK: Dominant, breath taking 3 volcanoes sit in the middle of our spectacular central plateau.
  Sense the awesome power of nature
• RAURIMU SPIRAL: From the viewing platform see the world famous railway track laid in an ascending spiral
• MANAWATU GORGE: A classic example of what happens when a range rises across a river, attracting geological experts and
  eco-enthusiasts
• KAPITI COAST: Bird sanctuary on off shore island for rare or extinct on mainland species
• WELLINGTON CITY TOUR: Includes all central landmarks such as the Beehive, Parliament Buildings, Te Papa (our National
  Museum), Botanic Gardens, Cable Car, Old St Pauls Church, Wellington Cathedral, Oriental Bay, Marine Parade and 360
  degree views from Mt Victoria

This tour is designed as a prelude to South Island Tours - Serendipity, Driven to Paradise, Refresh Your Senses. Alternatively it may be taken as a finale to end the tour (in reverse order).

DAY 1 - AUCKLAND - WAITOMO - ROTORUA
Stimulate the senses with the sights and sounds of amazing limestone formations, glowworms suspended from cave ceilings appearing as a starry sky, plopping mud, sizzling earth and spouting geysers.

• BOMBAY HILLS: Market gardening area provides 1/3 of the nations vegetable produce
• WAIKATO: See some of the most productive farmland in the world, with it's dairy, sheep and deer farms
• KIWI HOUSE: Get up close and personal with our national icon, the Kiwi
• GLOWWORM CAVES: A guided tour amongst limestone formations and caverns illuminated by the lights of thousands of glow
  worms
• ARAPUNI HYDRO DAM: Cross over one of eight hydro-electric dams on the Waikato River
• ROTORUA: Built on a steaming underground cauldron. Awesome geysers, fumeroles, colourful silica terraces and boiling mud
  pools
• AGRODOME FARM SHOW: Be entertained as you watch a flock of sheep mustered by highly trained sheep dogs, shearing
  demonstrations and learn about our important industry
• RAINBOW SPRINGS: See NZ flora and fauna and thousands of trout in crystal clear pools
• LAKE ROTORUA: Drive along the foreshore past hundreds of ducks and swans then through the beautiful, historic Government
  Gardens
• GOVERNMENT GARDENS: Historic Tudor Towers, original bath house now fully restored to it's former glory
• MAORI CULTURAL PERFORMANCE WITH HANGI: Experience the spirit of the ancestral Maori with evening feast cooked the
  traditional way on hot stones in an authentic earthen oven

DAY 2 - ROTORUA - TAUPO
Experience the raw beauty and sheer power that Mother Nature offers in all forms of geothermal activity. So stimulate the senses with the sights and sounds of plopping mud, sizzling earth and spouting geysers.

• LADY KNOX GEYSER: Only geyser that can be relied on to give a display (up to 20m)
• WAI-O-TAPU: Innumerable colours of every tint and hue displayed in pools, lakes, craters, steam vents, mineral terraces
  and even the tracks you walk on. See violently boiling mud pools, delicate silica terraces, huge craters and the famous
  Champagne Pool
• EXOTIC FORESTS: Drive through the largest man made forest in the Southern Hemisphere
• LAKE TAUPO LOOK OUT: Largest fresh water lake in the Southern Hemisphere resulting from the most violent eruption on
  earth
• HUKA FALLS: Enough water is dumped to fill two Olympic swimming pools every second
• WAIRAKEI GEOTHERMAL FIELDS LOOKOUT: Discover how natural steam energy is harnessed to generate electricity
• BUNGY JUMP VIEWING: Jump if you dare (optional extra)
• HUKA JET BOAT: For fantastic full on adrenalin (optional extra cost)

DAY 3 - TAUPO - NAPIER
A scenic drive to the affectionate title of "Fruit Bowl of New Zealand" and home to the famous Watties products.

• ESK VALLEY: Gardens, vineyards and hill top views of the Pacific Ocean
• ARCHITECTURE: One of the highest concentrations of Stripped Classical, Spanish Mission, and Art Deco building styles in the
  world
• ART DECO TOUR: Drive by some of the 1930's style landscape that encapsulates the spirit of the 'moderne' era
• WINERY TOUR: You will love the tour of one of the most vibrant wine-producing areas (28 wineries)
• HASTINGS: More architectural gems of 1920's - 1930's
• TE MATA PEAK: stunning views or get daring and hang glide or do a tandem paraglide from the peak(optional extra)

DAY 4 - NAPIER - WELLINGTON
Enchanting traces of the early settlements and life styles faced by pioneer farmers of various nationalities.

• RUAHINE RANGES: Rise steeply to 1700m with rugged ridges and fast flowing rivers. Alpine pastures and podocarp forests
• MT BRUCE: National Wildlife Centre offers you the unique opportunity to see endangered native birds
• WIND FARMS: Drive by the largest farm in the Southern Hemisphere
• WELLINGTON CITY TOUR: Includes all central landmarks such as the Beehive, Parliament Buildings, Te Papa (our National
  Museum which offers Virtual Realty Experiences; that bring to life , stories of our people and land), Botanic Gardens, Cable Car,
  Old St Paul's Church, Wellington Cathedral, Oriental Bay, Marine Parade and 360 degree views from Mt Victoria