Auckland City Tour
Your City Highlights tour is a journey of discovery designed to explore the history and sights as well as see how Aucklanders live and play.
Auckland is set on 48 dormant volcanic cones and between two harbours, the sparkling Waitemata and the brooding Manukau. Known as the City of Sails, it is New Zealand’s largest and busiest city.
After the pick up from your city accommodation we travel up Queen St, through Auckland’s central business district, past Auckland University and through the inner city park, known as The Domain. We continue on through the picturesque suburb of Ponsonby, known for its historic buildings, before heading over the Harbour Bridge to the North Shore. We stroll on Narrow Neck Beach in historic Devonport. There is time for a coffee here before continuing up to the summit of Mt Victoria where there are stunning panoramic views of Auckland city and the Waitemata Harbour. Then travel back over the Harbour Bridge to Westhaven Marina, one of the largest marinas in the Southern Hemisphere. Visit the Auckland Fish Market before continuing on to the Viaduct Harbour.
This tour is also available as a scheduled tour every day at 9am
Auckland’s Coastal Rainforest
Escape from the city and enjoy lush rainforest and black sand, surf beaches just 30 minutes from Downtown Auckland.
We travel west to Titirangi Village, with its art galleries showcasing local talent. A short drive from here is the Arataki Centre, doorway to the Waitakere Ranges and from its sweeping decks take in the breathtaking panoramic views extending from the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Absorb the area’s history and admire the magnificent traditional Maori carvings that stand guard there. With our knowledgeable and highly experienced guides, continue on to the wild and rugged west coast where you get to experience the power of nature. We can visit Karekare Beach (where the movie “The Piano ” was filmed) and the famous surf beach, Piha. A short journey brings you to the lush rainforest where you walk the easy bush tracks amongst New Zealand’s giant tree ferns and hear native birds. Visit a magnificent specimen of New Zealand’s famous Kauri trees.
This can be taken as a half day option, or spoil yourself and stay longer. Include some wine tasting, a café or vineyard lunch or visit the mainland gannet colony at Muriwai Beach.
A 5 hour version of this tour is also available as a scheduled tour every day at 12.30pm
Rotorua
One or two day tour
The natural wonders of the Rotorua region have made it a popular tourist destination since the nineteenth century. The geysers, bubbling mud pools, hot springs, fumaroles and coloured silica deposits hint at the area’s violent volcanic past. In addition, Rotorua is the nation’s most important centre for Maori culture. There is nowhere better to see the traditional arts (including weaving and wood-carving) and performances of song and dance. Tourists who stay overnight may also have the opportunity to partake of a hangi - a meal cooked over hot stones in an earth oven.
Our nation’s economy is still largely centred on pastoral agriculture, and a farm show near Rotorua give a great insight into NZ farming life. There are demonstrations of the extraordinary skills of the sheep dogs at work, sheep shearing, and children may even have a chance to feed a lamb from a baby’s bottle. This is also one of the world’s great trout fishing areas, and while there is probably not time to go fishing on our tour, you will see trout in abundance in many streams, especially at the wildlife parks. Here too you will see some of the native birds in captivity, including our nocturnal, flightless national icon, the kiwi.
Options: There are a number of options that may be added to this tour, including the Waitomo caves, which are renowned for their glow-worms, stalactites and stalagmites.
Bay of Islands, Kauri Forest & the tip of the country
Spend between 1 and 3 days exploring the northern tip of New Zealand. Northland is the birthplace of our nation, is rich in culture and history and blessed with a pristine natural environment. Learn about the arrival of the first Maori canoes to New Zealand and the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi – the founding document of our country. See how the slow growing giants of the forest were milled. Marvel at living Kauri trees, thousands of years old.
Your tour can include:
The Kauri Museum
Offering something to amaze all, with truly stunning collections. The Kauri Museum tells the story of the mighty kauri tree, its fascinating kauri gum, and its pioneering past.
Waitangi Treaty House
New Zealand's most historic site, where the Treaty of Waitangi was first signed on February 6th 1840. A cultural and heritage visitor attraction with guided tours and cultural performances.
Russell
A quick ferry ride across the water from Paihia (the Bay of Islands main town) is the charming, elegant township of Russell. This tranquil place was once known as "the hell hole of the Pacific" when it was the shore leave destination for sailors, whalers and traders during the 19th century. Today Russell is still a favoured spot for boaties who seek safe anchorage.
Discover the Bay
Cruise amongst the 144 islands on a luxury vessel where Dolphin/Whale watching is guaranteed. Travel through the world famous 'Hole in the Rock' and encounter wildlife in their natural environment.
Whangarei
In Northland’s largest city and harbour you can enjoy Quayside at the Town Basin with its stylish cafés and restaurants, art galleries, a glass-blowing studio, specialty shops and the National Clock Museum.
Hokianga
Known also as Te Kohanga o Te Tai Tokerau (the nest of the northern tribes), it is the central point from which most Northland Maori trace their ancestry. Well maintained tracks give access to the forest giants like 1400 year old Tane Mahuta and 2000 year old Te Matua Ngahere.
Cape Reinga
Take an adventure tour to Cape Reinga (the tip of the North Island) via Ninety Mile Beach. Visit the Gum Diggers Park where ancient Kauri forest was buried thousands of years ago. Drive along the famous Ninety Mile Beach enjoying breathtaking views. Climb the giant sand dunes and toboggan back down. At Cape Reinga enjoy magnificent sweeping views where the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet.
The rest of New Zealand
book nowTell us your interests, your available time and we help you to choose what is best for you. We can take you anywhere in New Zealand for as long as your time permits. If you are either by yourself or looking for a scheduled tour, why not join a Bush and Beach Tour?
