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

HEADING SOUTH
AUCKLAND - CHRISTCHURCH
OR
AUCKLAND - WELLINGTON - AUCKLAND 

This Budget 5 Day Tour Covers all the sights of the North Island from Waitomo Glow Worm Caves, Rotorua sights, Wellington, Ferry crossing and TranzCoastal Train and all are included in the tour cost.

TOUR CODE BUDHS
TOUR COST nz$995 PER PERSON SHARE TWIN.
TOUR COST SINGLE nz$1250

DAILY DEPARTURES

Day 1
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. 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. 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 2
Rotorua Sightseeing
Today we have a fun filled day, with sights of Rotorua 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, specializing 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 3
Rotorua - Wellington
This morning we depart Rotorua for Taupo via New Zealand’s largest pine tree forests. Passing by the the Wairakei Geothermal Steam Field, this was a world first generating electricity by tapping a natural steam field then channelling the steam to a nearby power generation plant. State Highway One winds through a bleak windswept tussock plain called the Rangipo Desert. This is a unique alpine semi-desert, with the forbidding appearance of a wild desolate wasteland. To the east it merges with the densely forested foothills of the Kaimanawa Ranges. To the west there is no horizon, as the landscape and sky are overwhelmed by the monumental outline of Mt. Ruapehu. Dark canyons and shadowy scree slopes tumble from the snow-capped peaks and merge with the indistinct landforms of the plain. The majestic grandeur of Ruapehu is a powerfully moving sight especially on a clear day. Our destination today is Wellington which is New Zealand’s capital city. It is a complete contrast to the sprawling urban mass that constitutes Auckland. Wellington is a visitor-friendly, upbeat, compact city, which can claim to be the world’s southernmost capital. Transfer to your hotel is included in tour costs

Day 4
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 5
Wellington - Christchurch
Transfer from hotel to ferry terminal is included in tour costs. 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. Blenheim can proudly uphold the claim to be both ‘The Sunshine Capital’ and ‘The Foremost Grape Growing Area’ of New Zealand. Continue on along the East Coast to the seaside town of Kaikoura. The whale watch capitol of New Zealand and the South Pacific, we continue our rail journey to the garden city of Christchurch.

OR
Wellington - Auckland
Travel back to Auckland on the Overlander Train
The Overlander is a journey through the heart of the North Island, travelling between Auckland - New Zealand's largest city and home of the Sky Tower, to Wellington - New Zealand's arts and culture capital.
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. Tour concludes at Auckland Railway Station. PLEASE NOTE, limited service during winter months

TOUR COST INCLUDE
4 Nights accommodation in a 3 star hotels
Entrance to Waitomo Caves
Entrance to Te Puia New Zealand arts and crafts institute
Entrance to Rainbow Springs Nature Park
Entrance to the Agrodome farm show
Pick up from inner city Auckland hotels
Pick up from your Rotorua Hotel for sights of Rotorua.
Sightseeing tour of Rotorua
Two Transfers in Wellington
Interislander Ferry
TranzCoastal Train

Or Overlander Train Journey.

All our Budget Tours are flexible and most can be done in reverse, extra nights can be added in, at any point. We can offer also offer you very competitive rates for both pre and post tour accommodation if required.


100510