5-day Bay Of Islands Rotorua Waitomo Caves And Hobbiton Tour From Auckland

Itinerary

Day 1: Auckland to Paihia with Waitangi Treaty Grounds and a Hole in the Rock Cruise

Stop At: Paihia, Paihia, Bay of Islands, Northland Region, North Island
Leaving central Auckland, set out on your journey to the Bay of Islands. Travelling by coach, listen to your driver's commentary as you cross Auckland Harbor Bridge, and head out of the city through the farming countryside and sub-tropical bush, stopping along the way for morning tea (own expense) before eventually reaching your first destination, Paihia.
Duration: 6 hours

Stop At: Waitangi Treaty Grounds, 1 Tau Henare Dr, Paihia New Zealand
Join a guided tour of Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the historic site where the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand's founding document, was signed. Learn more about New Zealand's history and Maori heritage as you explore the Treaty House. Visit a traditional Maori meeting house, and marvel at the 35-meter-long hand-crafted Waka (canoe) which is still used today.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Paihia Harbour, Paihia New Zealand
After returning to Paihia, you'll board the Dolphin Seeker. Enjoy the large outdoor viewing decks and keep a lookout for dolphins, whales and other marine life. Cruise past the Cape Brett Lighthouse, before arriving at the majestic Hole in the Rock. Admire the rock walls towering above you as the skipper navigates right through the narrow space (conditions permitting) before heading back into the inner islands of the Bay.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch: Picnic lunch on board the Hole in the Rock Cruise. Please advise any dietary requirements prior to travel
Accommodation included: Choose from standard 3-Star or superior 4-Star hotels

Day 2: Cape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach Day Tour

Stop At: Cape Reinga Lighthouse, Cape Reinga 0484 New Zealand
Set out by coach on a full-day tour to Cape Reinga, the northernmost point of New Zealand. Along the way, stop to explore the ancient Puketi Kauri Forest, visit the famous Ninety Mile Beach where you can experience the thrills and spills of sand surfing (optional). On arrival at Cape Reinga, walk out along the coastal cliffs to the Cape Reinga lighthouse and hear about the area's Maori legends as you gaze out across the meeting point of the Tasman and Pacific Oceans. A lunch of traditional fish and chips is included, before heading back to Paihia and returning in the early evening.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch: Picnic lunch. Please advise any dietary requirements prior to travel
Accommodation included: Choose from standard 3-Star or superior 4-Star hotels

Day 3: Head south from Paihia to Rotorua

Stop At: Rotorua i-SITE Visitor Information Centre, 1167 Fenton Street, Rotorua 3007 New Zealand
Travel from Paihia back through Auckland and on to Rotorua, traveling through the North Island’s scenic countryside of forests and rolling farmland. In the evening, you might like to visit the Polynesian Spa or Hells Gate thermal area for a soak in a natural spring or mud pool; both are open late.
Duration: 10 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Choose from standard 3-Star or superior 4-Star hotels

Day 4: Rotorua day tour and Waitomo Caves followed by an evening Maori Cultural Experience

Stop At: Waitomo Glowworm Caves, 39 Waitomo Village Road, Waitomo Caves 3943 New Zealand
Today, experience stunning scenery above and below ground on a guided tour of the fascinating Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Travel through lush farmland to the King Country region to Waitomo, then wander through subterranean caverns and learn how the stalagmites, stalactites and other spectacular limestone rock formations were formed over millions of years. To end your tour, travel through the Glowworm Grotto on a magical boat ride, surrounded by the twinkling lights of thousands of glowworms.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Agrodome, 141 Western Rd, Ngongotaha, Rotorua 3010 New Zealand
Stop in at the Agrodome, an organic working farm where you can learn all about farming in New Zealand. Take a tour of the Agrodome farm in an all-terrain vehicle, see how sheep are shorn and watch a live sheep dog trial.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Te Puia, Hemo Road, Rotorua New Zealand
See mud pools, spouting geysers and other geothermal displays at Te Puia, where you’ll also enjoy Maori cultural performances.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Tamaki Maori Village, 1220 Hinemaru St, Rotorua 3010 New Zealand
Journey back in time to a Pre-European lifestyle experience of customs and traditions. Enjoy the night's festivities with the people of Tamaki Maori Village as you are treated to a banquet of succulent foods cooked the traditional Maori way. Rediscover the Maori village as it comes alive to the sound and activities of tribal songs, dances, myths and legends and browse throughout the largest after hour's tribal marketplace in Rotorua.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch: Picnic lunch on board the coach. Please advise any dietary requirements prior to travel
• Dinner: Traditional hangi dinner
Accommodation included: Choose from standard 3-Star or superior 4-Star hotels

Day 5: Spend the morning exploring Hobbiton before returning to Auckland

Stop At: Hobbiton Movie Set, 501 Buckland Road Matamata, Hinuera 3472 New Zealand
Discover the real Middle-earth on a guided tour of Hobbiton. Beginning with a drive through a picturesque 1,250 acre sheep farm, you'll experience stunning views over the Kaimai Ranges. You'll then be escorted through the 12-acre movie set learning memorable anecdotes about the shooting of the films. Visit Hobbit Holes, the Green Dragon Inn, the Mill and the Party Tree, as well as learning how this piece of Waikato farmland was turned into the Shire.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: InterCity Sky City Bus Terminal, 102 Hobson Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Following your Hobbiton movie set tour, return to Auckland, arriving in the evening.
Duration: 3 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.