This meticulously planned itinerary ensures a perfect balance of cultural discovery, natural wonders, and leisure, creating an unforgettable experience seeking both relaxation and adventure. See the New Year in with us. Book your spot now for an enriching and rejuvenating journey through New Zealand's beauty.
MON 30 DEC - AUCKLAND/NEW PLYMOUTH L,D
Depart Auckland and head south for a lunch at the famous Hamilton Gardens. A living museum of gardens from ancient Egypt to the 21st century. Each beautiful garden is a piece of history that celebrates the ideas and beliefs of its age. Located alongside the Waikato River, gardeners have worked the whenua at Hamilton Gardens for centuries. Arrive New Plymouth late afternoon. Stay Plymouth International Hotel (3 nights).
TUE 31 DEC - NEW PLYMOUTH B,L,D
Leisurely start this morning then head to Pukeiti Forest and Rhododendron Gardens - a garden of international significance in Taranaki. Lunch today is at the Rainforest Café. The afternoon is at leisure, maybe take in the Len Lye Museum, relax around the hotel or some shopping in town. Dinner at the hotel and then head to Pukekura Park to see the majestic Festival of Lights, that transforms the Park into a wonderland.
WED 01 JAN - NEW PLYMOUTH B,D
We begin our day by travelling south to Stratford. Admire the glockenspiel playing a scene from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet then we travel to Hawera to visit the Tawhiti Museum - widely regarded as the best private museum in NZ. We then travel back to New Plymouth via Surf Highway 45. Dinner tonight at the hotel.
THU 02 JAN - NEW PLYMOUTH/TAUPO B,L,D
Today we depart New Plymouth for morning tea at Cairnhill gardens. We head toward Whangamomona and then carry along the Forgotten Highway and arrive into Taupo in the afternoon. Dinner at the hotel this evening.
2 The Millennium Hotel Taupo (2 nights).
FRI 03 JAN - TAUPO B,D
Free morning in Taupo and this afternoon we head out on for a cruise around picturesque Great Lake Taupo and its northern bays with the mountains of the World Heritage Tongariro National Park as a backdrop. Enjoy close-up views of the Maori Rock Carvings from the large outdoor decks as you learn about Lake Taupo’s cultural and volcanic history.
SAT 04 JAN - TAUPO/AUCKLAND B,L,D
Time to head back to Auckland with a visit to the Huka Falls with nearly a quarter of a million litres of water per second erupting from a natural gorge and thundering 11m into the Waikato River below. Continue north through the Waikato farmlands for lunch with Penny Diprose at Rosenvale‘s Tranquil and lush gardens. We arrive back in Auckland in the late afternoon.
