Magic Bus

Wayward Wanderer Auckland, New Zealand
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Tour Itinerary

Day 1: AUCKLAND-WAITOMO-ROTORUA

We leave Auckland in the morning, stopping on the way at Mt Eden, one of the dormant volcanoes which gives spectacular views of the City of Sails. Then travel down through Hamilton and on to Waitomo and the famous Glowworm Caves arriving before lunch. There is time to do a tour of the spectacular caves or try Cave Tubing - a unique, fun and exciting way to explore caves!! Next stop is Rotorua, the thermal capital of New Zealand, where in the evening you can be entertained by an authentic Maori concert, enjoy soaking in a thermal pool or experience some of the great local café's. If you are staying a few days in Rotorua then spend some time exploring Rotorua's lakes, visit Mokoia Island or try one of the walks in Whakarewarewa forest. An excursion with Careys Capers to Mt Tarawera, which erupted in 1886 is always a fascinating day.

Day 2: ROTORUA-TAUPO

As we leave Rotorua we show you some of the local sights including Wai-o-tapu Thermal Reserve. Heading to Taupo we visit the thunderous Huka Falls, then it's time to enjoy some tandem skydiving plunging from 12,000feet. Alternatively there is bungy jumping, which is great whether you are a jumper or a spectator, horse riding or parasailing over the lake. Taupo or nearby Turangi is a great base for Tongariro National Park where you will find 'the best one day walk in New Zealand' - the awesome Tongariro Crossing.

Day 3: TAUPO-TURANGI-WELLINGTON

Have your cameras ready, as there will be some great photo opportunities today. Head down the Desert Road nad admire the eerie scenery of Tongariro National Park. Arriving in the capital city see the offices of our political leaders 0 the 'Beehive'. Enjoy some of Wellingtons unique bars and cafes or visit our national museum - Te Papa

Day 4: WELLINGTON-PICTON-NELSON

Today we cross Cook Strait on The Interislander Ferry, through the majestic Marlborough Sounds to the South Island. Your Magic coach will be waiting for you in Picton at the ferry terminal. From here head south to the Pelorus Bridge scenic reserve before arriving in sunny Nelson late in the afternoon. Your Wellington accommodation will be able to arrange a transfer from your Hostel to the ferry terminal.

Day 5: NELSON-GREYMOUTH

Prepare yourself for some breathtaking scenery over the next few days. We begin by travelling through the Spooners Range, over the Hope Saddle and into the Glenhope Scenic Reserve stopping at Hawks Crag to view the Buller Gorge. On this leg ,we visit Westport and the Cape Foulwind Seal Colony. This is the start of the Wild West Coast which stretches for over 400 kilometres along the Tasman Sea. There are great views to be had along the rugged coastline. Travelling through the Paparoa National Park, we can walk the Truman Track through temperate rainforest and then stop at Punakaiki, famous for its pancake rocks

Day 6: GREYMOUTH-FRANZ JOSEF

Leaving Greymouth and moving on to Hokitika, we stop off at a Greenstone (New Zealand Jade) factory. Continue to the historic gold mining town of Ross, where you can try your hand at gold panning. Arrive in Franz Josef in the early afternoon and have time to walk on the face of one of the world's fastest advancing glaciers.

Day 7: FRANZ JOSEF-QUEENSTOWN

Throughout the day you will visit some of New Zealand’s most famous lakes. Pass through Fox, another town nestled next to a glacier before stopping off at Lake Matheson, often called “the Mirror Lake” due to its clear reflection of the Southern Alps and Mt Cook which dominate the skyline. The scenery will change from dense forest to vast plateaus as you enter the Central Otago region, known for its pip fruit and emerging wine industry. Make sure your cameras are ready as you visit Lake Hawea, and later Lake Wanaka. Stop off to see (and try) the world’s first commercial bungy site, 42m over the Kawerau river. Arrive in Queenstown, where the incredible range of activities is so immense that your time there will be completely packed!

Day 8: QUEENSTOWN

Today is a free day to explore Queenstown.

Day 9: QUEENSTOWN-DUNEDIN

From Queenstown head through to Central Otago stopping at the massive Clyde Dam Hydro Scheme. Then it's on to Dunedin, a city with a distinctly Scottish heritage and flavour, and the home of Otago University. Sit back and enjoy a city tour on your arrival or you might choose to discover Dunedin's wildlife and scenic beauty with an Elm Wildlife Tour to the Otago Peninsula. This is most definitely a highlight!!

Day 10: DUNEDIN-TEKAPO

A chance to blow away the cobwebs with a dash up the world’s steepest street. The next stop is a walk on the beach to see the Moeraki boulders, renowned for their unique shape.
Then you head inland to the Mackenzie country, passing by the Benmore dam, the largest earth dam in the Southern Hemisphere. Keep an eye on the scenery, as there are some amazing views of Mt Cook. In Tekapo, visit the idyllic Church of the Good Shepherd before overnighting in lakefront accommodation, purpose built for Magic travellers.

Day 11: TEKAPO-CHRISTCHURCH

After leaving the shores of Lake Tekapo you travel around the edges of the stunning MacKenzie Country, crossing over Burke Pass on the foothills of the Southern Alps. You pass through the picturesque towns of Fairlie and Geraldine before travelling through the Canterbury Plains, the largest area of flat land in New Zealand – a huge contrast to your previous days travel! You arrive in Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island, in the early afternoon, where there is a huge variety of activities on offer.

Day 12: CHRISTCHURCH-KAIKOURA

A drive along the rugged coastline, where we often see seals, whales and dolpins from the coach, brings us to Kaikoura, a town of great significance to the Maori people and famous for its crayfish, whale watching and friendly dolphins. We arrive in Kaikoura just after lunch with plenty of time to do the beautiful coastal walk, see the magnificent sperm whales in their natural habitat or put on a wet suit and swim with the dolphins.

Day 13: KAIKOURA-PICTON-WELLINGTON

Today we start the journey northward in earnest. For those travelling on to the North Island we journey to Picton at the head of the Marlborough Sounds, to catch the Interisland Ferry across to Wellington, or perhaps catch a flight if you want to arrive earlier in to Wellington. For those of you travelling on in the South Island your coach will continue on to Nelson.

Day 14: WELLINGTON-NAPIER

Leaving the capital this morning we travel over the Rimutaka Ranges into the Wairarapa District, home to a number of small country towns that have retained their character from colonial times. A stop off at the Mount Bruce Wildlife Centre will give you an opportunity to see a Kiwi in it's nocturnal house and our own Steady Eddie. It's a taste of Scandinavia as we pass through towns of Danish and Norwegian flavour. Arriving early afternoon in to Napier there is time to take a stroll around a city once brought to the ground when a violent earthquake shook this region in 1931. Since that time Napier has been rebuilt in the art deco style. Stay a few days and enjoy beaches, the wildlife or the wineries in the area.

Day 15: NAPIER-TAUPO-ROTORUA-MT MAUNGANUI

From Napier we head inland to Taupo, we stop briefly at Huka Falls then on to the thermal capital of Rotorua. You'll stop off to see why the region is famous for its bubbling mud pools. We stop to visit the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve and the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. Some may prefer to relax in the thermal Polynesian Pools or wander along Rotorua's lakefront. You can raft the mighty Kaituna, try kayaking or skydiving. Leaving Rotorua mid afternoon we have only a short drive through Kiwi fruit country as we head to the beautiful long, white, sandy beaches of Mt Maunganui. It's easy to spend a couple of days here! Relax and enjoy the beautiful beaches only a short walk away, the great café's, and the relaxed way of life that is so typical here. There is an the array of water based activities available, from dolphin swimming or watching, diving, fishing, kayaking or soaking in the hot salt water pools. A climb up Mt Maunganui is a must for everyone, with awesome views of the Pacific Coast.

Day 16: MT MAUNGANUI-THAMES-AUCKLAND

Heading north, it's on to Thames, the gateway to the Coromandel Peninsula. This is a beautiful drive today through the once booming gold town of Waihi and then through the very scenic Karangahake Gorge where we can stop for a while. Then it’s on to Paeroa one of New Zealand's most famous towns!! If time is on your side and you still have some days to spare, the Coromandel is a wonderful place to relax and unwind. Otherwise we are Auckland bound, arriving into the city by late afternoon.

Day 17: AUCKLAND-WAIPOUA FOREST-BAY OF ISLANDS

We farewell the City of Sails as we head to Northland and the Bay of Islands - birthplace of a nation. Our first stop today is at the Matakohe Kauri and Pioneer Museum. Here you'll learn how these tall, slow growing giants of the forest were milled not only for their timber, but also for their valuable gum. Experience colonial New Zealand, wander through the old school house and Post Office. Hugging the coastline of the Kaipara Harbour we pass through Dargaville before entering the Waipoua Kauri Forest. The majestic Kauri trees are still found growing on the side of the road. The highway is an award winner as it was constructed over the roots of these giants. We stop to visit Tane Mahuta, God of the Forest. Next we travel along the Hokianga Harbour before arriving in Opononi. Then we leave the west coast behind us arriving in Paihia and the Bay of Islands, an ideal base to explore New Zealand's sunny north. If you're into culture, maybe try the sound and light show at the Waitangi Treaty grounds this evening.

Day 18: BAY OF ISLANDS-AUCKLAND

There are a number of options open to you this morning. If your into nature, then try a cruise around the Bay of Islands including a swim with the Dolphins, or just kick back and enjoy the cruise through the Hole in the Rock. If you're into culture, heritage and adrenaline, take a visit to the Treaty House and Grounds at Waitangi before connecting with the Mack Attack fast boat trip around the Bay including the Hole in the Rock. We depart the Bay of Islands in the afternoon climbing over the Brynderwyn Hills to arrive back into Auckland in the late afternoon.

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Tour Itinerary