5 Day Scenic Highlights - Auckland to Auckland

Day one   Auckland - The City of Sails. 
Upon arrival at Auckland Airport, you will pick up your rental vehicle and drive to your central city accommodation.
This day is free for you to unpack, relax and explore the city area.
Places to visit:
Viaduct Basin.  This vibrant waterfront precinct was developed to provide a focus for America's Cup Yacht Race.  This is also a great place for nighttime entertainment with it's many cafes and bars.
Sky City. Standing 328 meters tall, this is one of New Zealand's most popular entertainment destinations.  Having 2 casinos, ten restaurants and bars and from the Observation level the best view of Auckland City and surrounding areas.
Shopping. Queen Street, Vulcan Lane, High Street, O'Connell Street and Chancery

Stay in central Auckland accommodation overnight.

Day two   Auckland - Rotorua
Today you are to drive south to the �Thermal Wonderland' of Rotorua.  Rotorua is one of the Pacific's most active thermal areas and is a place of vibrant Maori culture.  Here you can view magnificent examples of mud pools, geysers and steaming fumaroles.
My suggestion:  Visit Whakarewarewa and the Pohutu Geyser.
Tonight you will visit a marae, enjoy a concert and hangi (traditional Maori meal).  This is your change to experience traditional Maori culture.
Your accommodation is arranged overnight in Rotorua.

 

Day three  Rotorua - Waitomo
Today you are to drive across to Waitomo, home to the famous Waitomo Caves.  The Caves are the area's best-known natural attraction with their vast caverns full of eerie stalactite and stalagmite formations.  A network of limestone caves, they are home to thousands of glowworms.
Additional:  Take a tour of the caves to admire the glowworms by boat, walks or blackwater rafting
Your accommodation is arranged overnight in Waitomo

 

Day four  Waitomo - Paihia

Today drive to Paihia and enjoy the scenic Bay of Islands area.  The beautiful Bay of Islands is known as the first centre of European settlement in New Zealand, and is rich with historical sites.  Maori chief Hone Heke lived and fought here, notably at Ruapekapeka.  Paihia is a popular and attractive holiday town.  An early missionary centre, (population aprox 1840) it was the site of New Zealand's first church, made of reeds.  It's stone replacement, the Church of St. Paul, is still used today.  Cruises around the Bays are based from the wharf.  This area is popular with both visitors and locals alike.

Your accommodation is arranged overnight in Paihia.

 

Day five    Paihia - Auckland
Today you are to drive back to Auckland in time to meet your return flight.  Your drive will take approximately 4 hours.
Drop off your rental vehicle as per your Rental Agreement.

 

Prices for this vacation vary depending on preferred accommodation, time of year and number of people travelling.

Please click here to enquire about prices for this 5 day Scenic Highlights vacation.