Book this tour for travel between 01 September and 31 December 2010 and you will receive a free Skyline Ride and Lunch when in Rotorua

TEN DAY FULL
NORTH ISLAND TOUR

This Budget 10 Day Tour has it all, from the Beautiful Bay of Island’s, Auckland, Waitomo Caves, Rotorua, Art Deco Napier, Vineyards of Hawkes Bay, Wellington

TOUR CODE BUDNI10

OUR COST nz$1495 PER PERSON SHARE TWIN
OUR COST nz$1995 SINGLE

DAILY DEPARTURES,
On this tour you have the option of finishing in Wellington or for an extra nz$125p.p. you can return to Auckland on the Overlander Train (as per timetable)  Or continue on to Christchurch for nz$160p.p. via the Interislander Ferry and the TranzCoastal Train. Please see below.

Day 1:
Auckland - Bay of Islands
Travel across the Auckland Harbour Bridge, north via the Hibiscus Coast to the beautiful Bay of Islands. Arrive in Paihia and the option of a visit to the historic Waitangi Treaty House where New Zealand’s most important document of state was signed in 1840. In the afternoon, explore Paihia at your leisure.

The Bay of Islands is a stunningly beautiful length of sand and rock coastline that circles a sea pierced by 150 islands. Wherever you are in the Bay of Islands, it's impossible to escape the lure of the sea. Catch a ferry or charter boat and immerse yourself in the blue-green world of island and beach. Or paddle a sea kayak in and out of island nooks and crannies. Swimming with dolphins is another specialty of the Bay of Islands.
Accommodation in Bay of Islands

Day 2:
Cape Reinga Optional Excursion
Today you have the option of travelling to the top on New Zealand via Ninety Mile beach. First stop is the Puketi Kauri Forest for a 20 minute boardwalk stroll amongst 1000-year old kauri trees. Pass by golden sand beaches at Whangaroa, Coopers Beach, Cable Bay and Taipa. Refreshments stop at Ancient Kauri Kingdom. The departing place for Maori spirits is Cape Reinga where the Tasman Sea and mighty Pacific Ocean crash together beneath the Cape Reinga Lighthouse. Walk out to the lighthouse and post a card home at New Zealand's most northern mailbox. Other highlights include the Te Paki Quicksand Stream (which we navigate by coach very carefully!), thrilling sand tobogganing on boogie boards down the giant Te Paki Sand Dunes and travelling by coach down the vast Ninety Mile Beach. OUR COST IS nz$120
Or spend the day relaxing in the Bay.

Day 3:
Bay of Islands - Auckland
This morning you will board your cruise boat for a memorable trip to Cape Brett (Included in your tour cost) On our way to the Cape Brett Lighthouse, we seek out the playful dolphins. Bottlenose and common dolphins take great delight in racing alongside and showing off their aerobic flips! See them race alongside and play in the bow waves. We also often encounter orca whales. Further out we visit beautiful Motukokako Island and the famous Hole in the Rock. Hold your breath as we skilfully navigate our way through the hole and into spectacular Grand Cathedral Cave. As we cruise back to Paihia we pass several remote islands, fringed with golden sand beaches and decorated with red-flowering pohutukawa trees. On your return, disembark in Russell, the first capital of New Zealand, and enjoy a self guided sightseeing tour of this historic township. Board the ferry back to Paihia, then rejoin your coach for the return journey to Auckland. Accommodation in Auckland for tonight included in your tour cost.

Day 4:
Auckland - Waitomo - Rotorua
Departing Auckland we cross over the Bombay Hills and enter the Dairy Rich Waikato Region south to the famous Waitomo Caves. Here a guide will take us underground to these amazing limestone caves featuring stalagmites and stalactites, which have taken centuries to form. (included in your tour cost) Soon to follow we continue to walk down to an underground stream to board a small boat to view the glow-worm grotto – an underground cavern featuring millions of glow-worms. (Included in your tour cost) From Waitomo we travel to the thermal wonderland of Rotorua, the Sulphur City. Rotorua has the most energetic thermal activity in the country with bubbling mud pools, gushing geysers, beautiful coloured hot springs and terrace formations created by mineral water. Rotorua also has a large Maori population whose cultural activities are interesting and accessible as will be witnessed during your visit to Te Puia

Day 5:
Rotorua Sightseeing
Today we have a fun filled morning, with sights of Rotorua (included in your tour cost) This morning we visit Te Puia New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute at Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley featuring the Pouto Geyser exploding from the ground up to 30 meters high is the world famous Pohutu Geyser – an awesome display of Mother Nature’s power. See silica terraces, bubbling mud pools and unique geothermal vegetation. Following we visit Rainbow Springs, specialising in New Zealand flora and fauna includes Kiwi Tuatara Rainbow & Brown Trout. Breathe deeply, and take in the native bush, ferns, trees and plants that grow and flower all around you. Enjoy the tranquillity of the crystal clear cold water that flows tirelessly from the subterranean springs. We then visit the Agrodome to learn about the sheep industry. This unique New Zealand experience is still the best and most popular sheep show but there's a lot more to it than sheep - 19 champion rams, sheep shearing, sheep dogs, cow milking, sheep auction, lamb feeding. The multi-award winning Agrodome Sheep Show is one hour of 'full on' entertainment. Balance of the day free. This afternoon why not choose from some of the many options available to you in the Rotorua area

Day 6
Rotorua – Taupo - Napier
This morning we skirt some of the worlds largest pine forest to Wairakei where natural steam is harnessed to generate electricity, and pause at Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand. Continue across the Central Plateau to the Hawkes Bay region and Napier, claimed to be the world’s art deco capital. A city tour will encompass the Marine Parade and foreshore area plus many of the city’s art deco buildings.
Hawke's Bay is a land blessed with fantastic weather and hospitable people. Add on to that fantastic quality and diversity in wine and it spells heaven. Process cropping, horticulture, pastoralism and market gardening thrive alongside viticulture.

Hawke's Bay is the oldest established wine growing region in New Zealand. The first grapes were introduced into the region, as far back as 1851 by Marist priests who originally came from Lyon in France.
The climate in Hawke's Bays is very similar to that of Bordeaux, France - resulting in some outstanding reds. The region is home to around fifty percent of New Zealand's top red wines. A wide choice of award winning wines, are available covering most styles.

Day 7
Napier
Free day to explore the Art Deco Capital of New Zealand, or an optional Afternoon Wine Tour, departing  Napier 1pm – Return 5pm visit 4 – 5 local wineries Tour Includes Taste Syrah, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and much more Some of New Zealand's finest cheeses matched with wine Walk amongst the vines. Your tour includes lunch at one of the wineries “Highly recommended” OUR COST nz$85p.p.

DAY 8   
Hastings - Wellington
Orchards and vineyards give way to lush farmlands as you pass through Hastings then to Dannevirke and Woodville for an early afternoon arrival in the Capital city Wellington. You will be met at the coach terminal and transferred to your hotel.

Day 9
Wellington
Free day to explore Wellington, optional morning sights tour OUR COST nz$50p.p
Highlights include city, harbour and hill views from some of the city's most spectacular vantage points, as well as visiting many of Wellington's most famous sights, landmarks, and icons. These include: • The famous Beehive and Parliament Buildings • Old Saint Paul's Cathedral, the finest example of Revival Gothic architecture in the Southern Hemisphere, • Exquisite Lady Norwood Rose Gardens, • The largest wooden building in the Southern Hemisphere, • Various buildings exemplifying classic early Wellington architecture. • Enjoy breathtaking 360-degree views of Wellington City, hills and harbour from the summit of Mount Victoria, and drive around the rugged and pure scenic bays of Wellington Harbour. • A ride on the historic cable car is an optional extra but well worthwhile 

Day 10
Wellington
Your tour arrangements finish this morning.
Or return to Auckland by the Train.
The Overlander is a rail journey through the heart of the North Island, travelling between Wellington - New Zealand's arts and culture capital to Auckland - New Zealand's largest city and home of the Sky Tower. Along the way you pass the Central North Island ski towns of National Park and Ohakune, popular with young and old alike. You also see fantastic views of New Zealand farmland, the volcanic plateau, Mount Ruapehu, the world famous Raurimu Spiral, and stunning river gorges - all from our panoramic windows or open air viewing decks allowing you the best possible views. OUR COST nz$125p.p. includes hotel to railway station transfer

Or continue on to Christchurch
Today begins as we cruise the Wellington Harbour out onto the Cook Strait on the Interislander and through New Zealand’s only true sounds, the picturesque Marlborough Sound into Picton. The bustling port of Picton is the terminal for inter-island ferries, and gateway to the ‘Mainland’, the South Island’s self-proclaimed nickname. 

Then board the TranzCoastal Train; The TranzCoastal train journey travels between the delightful port of Picton and Christchurch, the South Island’s largest city. This journey is a scenic feast of New Zealand, with the Kaikoura mountain ranges on one side of your train and the rugged Pacific Ocean coastline on the other. Along the way you pass though the village of Kaikoura, where, if you're touring New Zealand, you can break your journey to take in the whale watching or dare to get closer and swim with the dolphins.

Travel through some of New Zealand’s finest horticultural and farmland areas, and see amazing wildlife such as dolphins, seals and penguins from the comfort of your train carriage.

One of the world's most scenic train journeys, the TranzCoastal travels through 22 tunnels and crosses 175 bridges, one of them being New Zealand’s only road-rail bridge. As on the TranzAlpine, the TranzCoastal includes an open air viewing carriage where all your senses are awakened with the clean, fresh, sea air.  OUR COST nz$160p.p. includes hotel to ferry terminal transfer

For accommodation in Kaikoura please add nz$70 per person share twin. Whale watch if required at nz$140 per person

YOUR TOUR COSTS INCLUDE.
9 Nights accommodation
All coach transport
Transfers from inner city hotels in Auckland to Coach Station
Entrance to Waitomo Caves
Entrance to Agrodome Farm Show
Entrance to Rainbow Springs Nature Park
Entrance to Te Puia Thermal Valley
Transfer from Wellington coach Station to hotel 

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING LINK, AS IT WILL EXPLAIN ALL ABOUT BUDGET TOURS http://www.tourandtravel.co.nz/tour.aspx?tourid=1171