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	FREE TOUR Book any New Zealand Self Drive of 8 days or more (18 Day Best of New Zealand, 9 Day North Island, 10 Day South Island) and receive free entry to either Kelly Tarlton's (Auckland) or the International Antarctic Centre Christchurch. Max 2 people, April travel only.
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Experience the very best of the North Island on this 9 day self drive itinerary. Relax on the beautiful beaches of the Coromandel Peninsula, take in the maori culture of Rotorua as well as the bubbling mud pools and spouting geysers. Continue on to beautiful Lake Taupo for some fishing or adventure activities followed by a spot of wine tasting in the Hawke’s Bay region of the east coast, and further south the Wairarapa wine region. Finish off with some time in New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington, which offers an excellent range of cultural and heritage attractions and a strong café culture.


Included
• 8 nights accommodation
• AVIS Group B car for 9 days
• Travelmood backpack, detailed itinerary, directions & map


Day 1 Auckland to Coromandel
133 miles 4 hours
Depart Auckland and travel the Pacific Coast Highway touring route to the Coromandel Peninsula. The Coromandel's dramatic and unspoiled coast, and beautiful white sandy beaches, offer endless opportunities for fishing, diving, boating, surfing and swimming.
Motel: Aotearoa Lodge (breakfast)
Hotel: Mercure Grand Puka Park Resort (breakfast)
Boutique: Mercure Grand Puka Park Resort (breakfast)

Day 2 Coromandel – day at leisure
Full day at leisure. If you would like to prebook a day tour recommended by Travelmood we can offer the ‘Top of the Peninsula Tour’ (from £65). Travel north to Port Jackson, on the northern tip of the Coromandel. Enjoy an easy bush walk with superb views before a ride (own expense) on the bush railway at Driving Creek. Then follow the coastline north viewing the spectacular scenery of craggy rock outcrops, beautiful old Pohutkawa trees, the Hairaki Gulf Islands, bird life and sometimes dolphins!

Day 3 Coromandel to Rotorua
157 miles 4½ hours
Depart Coromandel and arrive in the Bay of Plenty region early afternoon, in time for a swim or lunch at one of the many restaurants. Continue on to Rotorua, famous for its spouting geysers, bubbling mud pools and warm geothermal ponds.
Motel: Sudima Hotel
Hotel: Rydges Rotorua
Boutique: Clover Downs Estate (breakfast)

Day 4 Rotorua - day at leisure
Full day at leisure in Rotorua. Travelmood recommends pre-booking the half day Mt. Tarawera 4WD Tour (from £55). Let the experts drive you through rural farmland to the base of Mt Tarawera Volcano. Travel by 4WD vehicle up to the edge of the massive craters. Take a short crater walk or even a hike to the summit! Sturdy footwear and warm clothing essential.

Day 5 Rotorua to Lake Taupo
50 miles 1½ hours
Depart Rotorua for a short journey through to the Lake Taupo region. Taupo is the main centre of the area and Lake Taupo is one of the North Islands most popular holiday destinations. There are a range of activities on offer around Taupo such as the Huka Jet; an exhilarating jetboat ride with views of the spectacular Huka Falls. This is pre-bookable with Travelmood from £39 per person.
Motel: Karaka Tree Motel
Hotel: Millennium Manuels
Boutique: The Pillars Homestead (breakfast)

Day 6 Lake Taupo to Napier
89 miles 2½ hours
Depart Taupo for the Hawke's Bay region. Basking in a Mediterranean climate, the Hawke's Bay region is known for its wine, food and fabulous scenery. Over 30 vineyards offer visitors a wine tasting and indoor/outdoor dining experience. Napier and Hastings, the two main centres in the region, have a high concentration of Art Deco and Spanish Mission architecture. You can drive yourself around the vineyards (food, wine and art trails of the area can be found at visitor information centres), but if you wish to sit back and enjoy a tour and a visit to four wineries Travelmood can pre-book a 'Hawkes Bay Ramble' tour from £27 per person, departing Napier at 1pm.
Motel: Bella Tuscany
Hotel: Crown Hotel
Boutique: Mon Logis Hotel (breakfast)

Day 7 Napier to Martinborough
156 miles 3½ hours
Today travel south, options include stopping at the small country towns of Carterton, Greytown and Featherston. Travel to Martinborough, well known for the range of vineyards in the area and its growing worldwide reputation for its Pinot Noir wine. Travelmood can pre-book a Wairarapa Gourmet Wine Escape from £39 per person including wine tastings at four Martinborough wineries. Departures are available from Carterton, Greytown and Featherston as well as Martinborough.
Motel/Hotel/Boutique: Peppers Martinborough Hotel

Day 8 Martinborough to Wellington
52 miles 1½ hours
Drive over the beautiful Rimutaka Hills to Wellington. The nation’s capital is home to Te Papa - the interactive Museum of New Zealand, numerous art galleries and national treasures such as the original Treaty of Waitangi. If you have limited time then Travelmood recommends the half day Maori Treasures Tour from £86, or for a full day, take the Wild Wellington Tour from £116.
Motel: West Plaza Hotel
Hotel: Duxton Hotel
Boutique: Thorndon House

Day 9 Wellington
Return your Avis vehicle to the depot to complete your itinerary.

Upgrade to a Group E Full Size car from £5 per person per day.

Accommodation In Peak Season
Please note that New Zealand is very popular during their summer months from November to March. Therefore the accommodation shown on this itinerary is subject to availability at the time of booking. If the accommodation listed is full we will endeavour to book you a comparable alternative.

BOOK IT NOW!
Throughout this itinerary we feature some exciting day tour options. If these appeal to you we recommend that you pre-book with your Travelmood consultant as soon as possible. During the summer months these activities do get booked up well in advance.




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