Sustaino-man
 
Fixed packages -
Scenic North

Commencing in Auckland, the City of Sails, this 9 day tour explores the North Island. You can experience the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua, have fun on the waters of Lake Taupo and admire Napier's Art Deco and fine wine. The tour then concludes in Wellington, NZ's capital city. 		  

Scenic North

Each package includes

  • Daily Coach Travel as specified with InterCity and Newmans Coachlines
  • YHA Accommodation - 8 nights pre-booked accommodation 
  • Transport from Airport to YHA hostel on arrival
  • YHA New Zealand Backpacker Map which includes an extensive range of discounts for sightseeing and adventure activities throughout New Zealand
  • Waitomo Caves tour and lunch
  • Rotorua morning tour
  • Wellington morning tour

Tour itinerary

Day One - Auckland
Kia Ora! Arrive in Auckland - the City of Sails - and transfer to YHA Auckland City. Auckland's population is one and a half million people, which makes it New Zealand's largest city.

Overnight: YHA Auckland City

Day Two - Auckland
Today is free to enjoy the city. There are many options available to fill in your day, some examples are shown below:

  • Devonport Cruise
  • Sky City Tower and Casino
  • Howick Historical Village
  • Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World and Antarctic Centre
  • Maritime Museum

Overnight: YHA Auckland City

Day Three - Auckland to Rotorua (via Waitomo)
Great Sights Coach departs Auckland at 07:15
Arrive Rotorua at 16:45

Farewell the City of Sails and depart for Rotorua - New Zealand's geothermal wonderland. The coach will stop for lunch in the King Country at the Big Apple Orchard (today's lunch is included). After lunch continue travelling south to Waitomo Caves. Upon arrival at Waitomo you will join a guided tour of the Caves. Aranui Cave's chambers are adorned with stalagmites and stalactites. Then board the boat and glide silently through the glowworm grotto. Return to daylight, reboard the coach and continue on to Rotorua.

Option:
This evening we recommend that you take in a Maori Hangi and Cultural Experience with Tamaki Tours.

Overnight: YHA Rotorua, Treks

Day Four - Rotorua
Great Sights Coach - Pick-up from hostel at 07:25
Drop Off at hostel at 12:30

Rotorua is an unusual town - you will notice steam rising out of the stormwater drains, boiling hot puddles and the faint sounds of plopping mud. This morning you will join the Rotorua Sightseeing Tour and take in the sights, sounds and smells that make Rotorua so unique. The tour will visit Te Puia (NZ Maori Arts & Crafts Institute and Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve), Rainbow Springs Nature Park and the Agrodome.

This afternoon you are free to explore the city at your own leisure.

Options:

  • Cruise on Lake Rotorua
  • Visit the Polynesian Pools or the Orchid Garden
  • Stroll through the Government Gardens
  • Visit the Rotorua Museum

Overnight: YHA Rotorua, Treks

Day Five - Rotorua to Taupo
InterCity Coach departs Rotorua at 13:15
Arrive Taupo at 14:15

At 1:15pm, board the coach and travel south to Taupo. Taupo is located on the shores of Lake Taupo, which is renowned worldwide for its trout fishing. The lake itself is the result of a massive volcanic eruption in AD186, the explosion reddened skies were seen as far away as China and Rome and diverted the Waikato River from the east to the west coast.

Thermal areas, smaller than those in Rotorua, can be found at nearby Wairakei, at the edge of Lake Taupo or at the southern edge of the lake. At Wairakei Tourist Park, you can visit the Prawn Park - the world's only geothermal prawn farm!

Options:

  • Jet boat to the Huka Falls
  • Cruise aboard the African Queen to the mighty Huka Falls
  • Go trout fishing - after all Taupo is a trout fishing mecca

Overnight: YHA Taupo

Day Six - Taupo to Napier
Newmans Coach departs Taupo at 13:00
Arrive Napier at 15:04

This afternoon board the coach bound for Napier - New Zealand's Art Deco City. Napier was virtually destroyed by a huge earthquake and fires in the 1930's - after the earthquake the city was 40 square kilometres larger due to the amount of land lifted above sea level. The city was then rebuilt in the Art Deco Style. Nowadays Napier is known for its Art Deco appearance and its vineyards. In 1850 vines were first planted in Hawkes Bay by a French Catholic mission, the climate in this region is similar to that of the best grape-growing areas in Europe.

Options:

  • Winery Tour
  • Art Deco Walk
  • Stroll along Marine Parade
  • Visit Hawkes Bay Museum (includes a simulated earthquake experience)

Overnight: YHA Napier

Day Seven - Napier
Today you may choose to visit Cape Kidnappers or take part in a full day winery tour. The Cape is home to the world's only mainland gannet nesting site. The gannets usually arrive in late July, lay their eggs in October and November, then start to migrate north in March. You do not need a special permit to visit the colony but note the best times to visit the Cape are from late July to February.

Overnight: YHA Napier

Day Eight - Napier to Wellington
InterCity Coach departs Napier at 13:40
Arrive Wellington at 18:50

This afternoon board the coach to Wellington - New Zealand's capital city. The city is located on the doorstep of a harbour that was formed by the flooding of a large, extinct volcano and is surrounded by hills. Te Papa - New Zealand's National Museum is located on the Wellington waterfront and like many other attractions in the central city, is just a short stroll from YHA Wellington City.

Overnight: YHA Wellington City

Day Nine - Wellington
This morning you will be collected from the hostel for a morning tour around Wellington City. You will view the Parliament Buildings, known as the Beehive due to it's appearance, Old St Paul's Cathedral - built in early 1860's, Lady Norwood Rose Gardens and ride the Cable Car. The Wellington Cable Car runs from downtown Wellington to Kelburn, one of the suburbs overlooking the city. It began service in 1902 and by 1912 was transporting one million passengers a year. At the top are the Wellington Botanic Gardens - 26 hectares of native bush and grounds. Upon the conclusion of the tour you will be dropped off at YHA Wellington City.

Tour ends upon arrival at the hostel.

Package price

01 October 2009 - 30 September 2010

Twin - NZ$889
Multishare - NZ$817

Please note meals and optional activities are not included in the price of the tour.

Cancellations and amendments

  • Passes are non-refundable and non-transferrable once travel has commenced
  • Cancellations received at least 7 days prior to proposed date of arrival in New Zealand will be entitled to a refund less a cancellation fee of NZ$50 per person
  • Cancellations received in the period which is between 2 and 7 days prior to the proposed date of arrival in New Zealand shall be entitled to a refund less a cancellation fee of NZ$100 per person
  • Cancellations received less than 48 hours prior to the proposed date of arrival in New Zealand shall not be entitled to a refund
  • It is recommended that all passengers have comprehensive travel insurance

To view the See NZ Travel Packages Terms & Conditions - click here

YHA New Zealand responsibility

In organising these packages, YHA New Zealand is acting as a package organiser. YHA New Zealand does not operate the air, sea and land transport in these packages and does not accept responsibility for any act or omission on the part of those actually performing these services.

If you have any further questions about this package check out our list of Frequently Asked Questions.

Alternatively, you can contact the YHA New Zealand Customer Services Team.