8 days / 7 nights
Experience the best highlights of New Zealand’s central North Island. The tour includes iconic destinations & experiences in Napier, Taupo, Gisborne, Rotorua & the East Cape.
Enjoy a chauffeured Classic Car tour of Napier, the Art Deco capital of the world. Travel by special off road vehicle up the cliffs of Cape Kidnappers to view the Gannet Colony. Visit a Hawkes Bay vineyard for an informative talk & wine tasting. Travel out to the beautiful & isolated Lake Waikaremoana. Visit the East Cape Lighthouse & Tolaga Bay. Travel through Whakatane & Te Kaha. Experience the spectacular Te Puia geothermal park in Rotorua, and take in spectacular views of the Lake from atop the Rotorua Gondola. Cruise on Lake Taupo & view the majestic contemporary Maori rock carvings.
NZD $3549
per person, twin share
Solo travellers (same gender) are matched for twin share at no extra cost.
NZD $895 Single Supplement
(to guarantee a single room)
Return Airfare Packages from $199 per person (including door to door service – home pickup/dropoff)
EX: Wellington, Christchurch + MORE.
Departure Dates
Christmas Tour departure includes a special Christmas dinner or lunch – Tour prices differ from other dates, $3549 per person.
24 Dec 2022
CHRISTMAS $3549
Door to Door Service + Flight & Transfer Options
Gold Club Tours offers a door to door service from a wide range of areas throughout New Zealand.
Hotel or home pickup and return from Auckland included
Return flights (incl door to door service / home pickup & return) from Christchurch, Wellington + more $199 per person
Gold Club Tours offers a door to door service from a wide range of areas throughout New Zealand.
Hotel or home pickup and return from Auckland included
Return flights (incl door to door service / home pickup & return) from Christchurch, Wellington + more $199 per person
If your area is not listed below, please contact us to find out if we can offer this for you – we look for reasons to say yes, not no.
Gold Club Tours offers a door to door service from a wide range of areas throughout New Zealand.
Return flight packages (incl door to door service / home pickup & return) are available from Christchurch, Wellington + MORE.
Christchurch & Wellington $199 per person (Others from $199 per person).
* subject to airfares availability and flight times. Enquire with us via phone or email.
Gold Club Tours always recommend that guests take out travel insurance. This is important whether it is for international or domestic travel. In the event you are unable to travel before or during a tour, cancellation terms apply – take out insurance to protect yourself.
Tour Itinerary
This morning we pick you up from your home to join your tour. Departing Auckland, travel through rich farmlands of the Waikato region stopping at the small township of Huntly, the site of a massive coal-fired power station. The open cast coal mine produces around 10,000 tonnes a day. Next, travel through Hamilton – now New Zealand’s fourth largest city, to the Hamilton Gardens.The impressive gardens are the pride of the region, covering 58 hectares. Take time to stroll & explore, before continuing south to Cambridge, ‘the town of trees and champions’ – memorable for its leafy streets and heritage buildings. Leaving Cambridge we continue through to Rotorua.
Stay: Distinction Hotel Rotorua (or similar)
Day 2
Today we enjoy a visit to fascinating Te Puia – the premiere geothermal site in New Zealand. Te Puia is located in the Te Whakarewarewa valley, a geothermally active region of New Zealand. It is home to the famous Pohutu and Te Tohu (Prince of Wales’ Feathers) geysers. It also serves as home to the New Zealand Maori Arts & Crafts Institute – an active repository of knowledge and training of Maori cultural arts and culture. See spectacular geysers (steam & water eruptions), boiling mud pools, hot pools and lots of native plants in the surrounding area. Later, we visit the Rotorua Gondola. Enjoy spectacular views as you ride up the side of the mountain over looking the city, where you can look down over Lake Rotorua and Mokoia Island.
Stay: Distinction Hotel Rotorua (or similar)
Day 3
This morning we depart Rotorua and make our way to the ocean and the twin coastal settlements of Whakatane & Opotiki. We then head inland to Gisborne. We pass through Gisborne, heading to Tolaga Bay. Tolaga Bay is also closely associated with the ancestor Paikea. It is said that the original inhabitants of Tolaga Bay (traditionally known as Uawa) were descended from Maui Tiki-Tiki-a-Taranga (the ancestor who fished up the North Island) and Paikea (the ancestor who voyaged from Hawaiiki). Tolaga Bay is steeped in Maori history and culture, and was the site of some important encounters between Captain Cook and local Maori. The major attraction in Tolaga Bay is the 600 metre long historic wharf – said to be one of the longest in the Southern Hemisphere.
Departing, we drive south through unspoilt bays and the area famous for the movie ‘Whale Rider’. The Whangara Marae (location where the movie ‘Whale Rider’ was filmed.) Whangara is located 30km north of Gisborne, and belongs to the ancestral lands of the Ngati Porou. The quaint seaside settlement is built around the Marae made famous in the movie. We then return to Gisborne where we spend the next 2 nights.
Stay: Portside Hotel Gisborne (or similar)
Day 4
Today is at leisure for you to relax and explore in Gisborne. Your tour leader can assist you with arranging optional activities. Perhaps take a guided tour at low tide to see the stingrays and other marine dwellers of Tatapouri. Alternatively, some guests may wish to view the Eastwoodhill Arboretum.
East Cape Lighthouse Optional Excursion
Day trip – approx. 8 hours (3 hrs drive each way, plus stops). We recommend booking early to avoid disappointment. All optional excursions are subject to availability.
Stay: Portside Hotel Gisborne
Day 5
Departing Gisborne this morning, we travel to Lake Waikaremoana. Lake Waikaremoana is the North Island’s deepest lake (256m). It is a spectacular area, formed by a gigantic landslide over 2000 years ago and surrounded by majestic mountains and beautiful native bush. After spending time in the lush and tranquil area, we continue on to Napier. Later this afternoon, we visit a local winery to learn the history of the winery, the region’s viticulture, cellarmasters’ explanations as to how the wines vary, the flavours to distinguish each wine, and how to enjoy the bouquets of each different type.
Stay: Swiss Belboutique (or similar)
Day 6
Napier’s misfortune in 1931, when it was almost levelled by an earthquake, has led to the city’s world famous point of difference. Today Napier has one of the most outstanding collections of 1930s architecture in the world. Today you are in for a treat. You and a travelling companion will enjoy a tour of the art deco city by classic car! Guests will be advised by their tour leader the time for their tour, travelling with one other guest for maximum comfort.
If you wish to combine your tour with other guests for a more social affair, you are more than welcome. The classic cars can accommodate up to 4 guests. Touring around the city, you’ll see wonderful examples of Art Deco, Spanish Mission and Stripped Classical design. Your personal chauffeur will give you fascinating information about the art deco buildings and the tragedy that heralded their rise.
This afternoon we head to Te Awanga to join the Gannet Safari Tour to the worlds largest, accessible, gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers. Travel in comfort in air conditioned 4 x 4 wheeled vehicles, through Cape Kidnappers Station – traversing riverbeds, broad rolling pastures, through stands of native bush, steep gullies and breathtaking inclines. There is a stop on the way for spectacular cliff top views of Hawkes Bay right across to the Mahia Peninsula. On arrival at the gannets you can stretch your legs and take in the magnificent scenery from the clifftops – 100 metres above the ocean. Here your driver / guide will serve you refreshments whilst you enjoy watching the gannets perform around you.
Stay: Swiss Belboutique (or similar)
Day 7
Today we depart Napier and head north to Taupo. After time for lunch in this beautiful lakeside town, we head out onto Lake Taupo for a fascinating cruise. Situated in the heart of the central volcanic plateau, it is the largest freshwater lake in Australasia. Hear about the volcanic origins of the lake, as well as viewing contemporary carving on the rock walls at the lake’s edge. This huge, shining expanse of water, moving between aquamarine blue and jade green, is crystal-clear to a depth of 13 metres. It is home to one of the best wild trout fisheries in the world, more than 30 species of water birds, several types of native fish and native koura (crayfish).
Stay: Millennium Hotel & Resort Manuels Taupo (or similar)
Day 8
Sadly this is our last day. We head north, stopping to view the Huka Falls. The Huka Falls are the largest falls on the Waikato River. The Waikato River which is normally 100m wide, is squeezed through a 20 metre wide gorge and over a 20m drop. Every second up to 220,000 litres of water gushes through the gorge and shoots out over 8 metres beyond to create a beautful blue/green pool. We then complete our journey north. On arrival in Auckland, we are met and returned home.
Tour Inclusions
Tour Highlights
Tour Reviews
Hugh was very good with his commentary.
R Nieberg, Glen Eden, Auckland
Accommodation
4.53
38 Reviews
Loved the hotels we stayed at. Very well ‘appointed’ & comfortable. Wouldn’t mind some of the beds as home!! So comfortable.
Joan Keir, Cockle Bay, Auckland
Breakfasts
4.34
38 Reviews
All breakfasts were good with helpful staff.
Ann & Dudley Jinman , Rolleston, Christchurch
Dinners
4.58
38 Reviews
All the food was delicious and well presented.
Jill Powell, New Lynn, Auckland
Tour Vehicles
4.55
38 Reviews
Kept clean throughout the tour. Very comfortable.
Lyn & Noel Burchell, Mt Eden, Auckland
Included Activities & Admissions
4.62
38 Reviews
All included activities were outstanding, particularly at Te Puia, Rotorua, the young man who did the presentation was excellent. The Gannet Colony was also a standout. Hamilton Gardens – very good. Cruise in Taupo also. And the wine tasting in Napier was great.
Terry & Trish Wright, Newfield, Invercargill
Home Pickup
4.82
38 Reviews
Service exceedingly helpful as transport to coach difficult when can’t drive and leave own car while away. Great selling point of tour.
Lyn Pushong, Hobsonville, Auckland
Home Dropoff
4.89
37 Reviews
Really fantastic service.
Terry & Beatrice Nuthall, Warkworth
Value For Money
4.5
38 Reviews
It’s not that I’m easily pleased. More that I was pleased it was all so easy 🙂
Trish Hillyard, New Lynn, Auckland
Tour Leader
4.68
38 Reviews