6 Day Northern Spectacular

6 Day Northern Spectacular   - Escorted North Island Coach Tour   Departs from: Auckland     Arrives: Auckland     Fare: 5% sale discount applies on tour price when booked by 30 Nov 2008.  Please quote "sale price" when making your reservation request.     01 Oct 2008 to 30 Apr 2009: £775     01 May 2009 to 30 Sep 2009: £712     Optional Extra:     Breakfast (5) Supplement add: £36     Dinner (4) Supplement add: £53     Single Room Supplement add: £176     Note: All prices are GBP, per person & include G.S.T. Click here to make me bigger Special Included Highlights:   Sightseeing where indicated in cities and resorts Volcanic and Geothermal Region Sheep shearing & working dog demonstration Authentic Maori Hangi & Concert Rotorua's Thermal Wonderland Waitomo Glow-worm Caves Auckland's Skytower Subtropical Bay of Islands Agrodome Rainbow Springs & Kiwi House Te PuiaThermal Reserve Skyline Gondola & Luge ride Matakohe Kauri Museum Guided Tour of Waitangi Treaty House & grounds Cape Brett Launch Day by Day Itinerary:  Day 1 - Auckland / Hamilton / Rotorua Join a scheduled InterCity coach this morning for the drive to Rotorua. From New Zealand's largest city, through it's southern suburbs and the Bombay Hills. Lush farmlands and the Waikato River precede the city of Hamilton, then across the bushclad Mamaku Ranges to Rotorua, centre of the region's Maori culture and a thermal wonderland. You will de dropped at your overnight accommodation, the Lake Plaza Hotel. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your leisure.  Day 2 - Rotorua A sightseeing tour visits the Agrodome for a display featuring New Zealand's various sheep breeds with a shearing demonstration. Whilst at the Agrodome, be sure to visit the Bliss Confectionery factory & shop for a complimentary treat and tempting sweet delights. See pools of brown and rainbow trout at Rainbow Springs Park and native birds including the Kiwi. Visit Te Puia, the Maori Arts and Crafts Centre and Thermal Reserve, with boiling mud, silica terraces and Pohutu Geyser. The spectacular Skyline Gondola offers superb views over city, lake and mountains and for a little excitement, try a Luge ride with our compliments. Time for optional activities this afternoon before a Maori hangi (meal) with a selection of traditionally prepared meats and vegetables plus conventional dishes, followed by a concert featuring Maori songs, chants and the stirring haka. Your overnight accommodation is at the Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua.  Day 3 - Rotorua / Waitomo / Auckland Cross the Mamaku Ranges to the Waikato region, noted for dairy farming and world famous horse studs. At Waitomo, a guide will escort your group underground to the limestone caverns and glow worm grotto. On through Hamilton to Ngaruawahia, centre for the region's Maori people, then alongside the Waikato River before crossing the Bombay Hills to reach New Zealand's largest city - Auckland. A city tour will visit the summit of Skytower, at 328 metres the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere, for panoramic views across the city and its two harbours, the Domain, the city area, the Waterfront Drive with its numerous yacht marinas and nearby residential suburbs. Your overnight accommodation will be at the Rydges Auckland Hotel.  Day 4 - Auckland / Bay of Islands Cross Auckland's Harbour Bridge to drive north along the Hibiscus Coast and on to Matakohe and the Kauri museum telling the story of the Kauri tree and the region's early settlement, the displays are superb and their story fascinating. Continue north through Kawakawa to Paihia and visit New Zealand's birthplace, Waitangi. Visit the famous Treaty House, the Maori Meeting House and giant war canoe all set in spectacular grounds overlooking the bay. Your overnight accommodation is at the Hotel Paihia.  Day 5 - Bay of Islands A day free for you to relax and enjoy the many activities available. Your Coach Captain will happily assist with details. A full day Tour to Cape Reinga, New Zealand's northern most point and Ninety Mile Beach or explore historic Russell, New Zealand's first settlement, and visit its original Church, Mission House and Museum. Your overnight accommodation is at the Hotel Paihia.  Day 6 - Bay of Islands / Auckland A launch cruise will take you across the Bay and world acclaimed fishing grounds made famous by Zane Grey, to Cape Brett and the spectacular "Hole in the Rock". Returning to Paihia, board your Coach for the journey south through Whangarei and Warkworth passing the satellite tracking station. Shortly Auckland city and Harbour come into view with your tour concluding at approximately 5.30pm. Departure Dates:        TOUR START WED FINISH MON        R13  01 Oct 2008 06 Oct 2008   R14  08 Oct 2008 13 Oct 2008         R16 22 Oct 2008 27 Oct 2008   R17 29 Oct 2008 03 Nov 2008         R19 12 Nov 2008 17 Nov 2008   R20 19 Nov 2008 24 Nov 2008   R21 26 Nov 2008 01 Dec 2008         R22 03 Dec 2008 08 Dec 2008   R23 10 Dec 2008 15 Dec 2008   R24 17 Dec 2008 22 Dec 2008   R25 24 Dec 2008 29 Dec 2008   R26 31 Dec 2008 05 Jan 2009           TOUR START WED FINISH MON  R27 07 Jan 2009 12 Jan 2009   R28 14 Jan 2009 19 Jan 2009   R29 21 Jan 2009 26 Jan 2009   R30 28 Jan 2009 02 Feb 2009         R31 04 Feb 2009 09 Feb 2009   R32 11 Feb 2009 16 Feb 2009   R33 18 Feb 2009 23 Feb 2009   R34 25 Feb 2009 02 Mar 2009         R35 04 Mar 2009 09 Mar 2009   R36 11 Mar 2009 16 Mar 2009   R37 18 Mar 2009 23 Mar 2009   R38 25 Mar 2009 30 Mar 2009         R39 01 Apr 2009 06 Apr 2009   R40 08 Apr 2009 13 Apr 2009   R41 15 Apr 2009 20 Apr 2009   R42 22 Apr 2009 27 Apr 2009   R43 29 Apr 2009 04 May 2009         R44 06 May 2009 11 May 2009   R46 20 May 2009 25 May 2009   R47 27 May 2009 01 Jun 2009         R48 03 Jun 2009 08 Jun 2009   R50 17 Jun 2009 22 Jun 2009   R51 24 Jun 2009 29 Jun 2009         R53 08 Jul 2009 13 Jul 2009   R54 15 Jul 2009 20 Jul 2009   R55 22 Jul 2009 27 Jul 2009         R57 05 Aug 2009 10 Aug 2009   R58 12 Aug 2009 17 Aug 2009   R11 19 Aug 2009 24 Aug 2009         R14 09 Sep 2009 14 Sep 2009   R15 16 Sep 2009 21 Sep 2009   R16 23 Sep 2009 28 Sep 2009   R17 30 Sep 2009 05 Oct 2009         R18 07 Oct 2009 12 Oct 2009        * Start Monday Finish Saturday