Magic Bus

NZ Discovery Auckland, New Zealand
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Tour Itinerary

Day 1: AUCKLAND - BAY OF ISLANDS

After crossing the Harbour Bridge we head north to the Bay of Islands. With Auckland well behind us, a brief stop will be made at Sheep World giving you a chance to learn more about New Zealand’s most famous livestock. Back on the road to Northland, we pass through Whangarei and arrive into Paihia at lunchtime, where we overnight. Our first stop here is Waitangi, for a panoramic look over the beautiful Bay of Islands. We strongly recommend those interested in the Maori culture and the history of New Zealand to visit Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the birthplace of our nation. Your afternoon is free so why not try one of the fabulous boating options, such as paddling a 50ft traditional Maori waka (canoe), or take a cruise out to the Hole in the Rock with the chance to swim with the dolphins. If you have no plans for the evening, check out the recommended Culture North night show.

Approximate arrival time into Paihia is 12.30pm.

Day 2: BAY OF ISLANDS - AUCKLAND

This is one of Magic’s most unique days. We travel from Paihia across country stopping at Rawene, where you have the option to be transferred to Motuti Marae for a truly authentic cultural experience. The coach continues on to Opononi, a lovely town on the edges of the Hokianga Harbour facing the impressive Hokianga sand dunes. It is also where the ‘Crossings Hokianga’ cultural cruise departs, an amazing journey that follows in the footsteps of NZ’s first discoverer Kupe. Magic strongly recommends you overnight in Opononi to take advantage of the celebrated ‘Footprints Waipoua’, one of 82 Lonely Planet ‘Experiences of a Lifetime’. Just after lunch, we head on to Waipoua Forest, where you will not only get the chance to stretch your legs but also get up-close to ‘Tane Mahuta’, God of the Forest. The road narrows as it twists and turns through the forest and we travel into the afternoon and on down the West Coast via Dargaville. Our final stop is at the Matakohe Kauri and Pioneer Museum, which details how the native Kauri trees played a significant role toward shaping the new nation. The remainder of the journey is relaxed and will bring you back into Auckland by late afternoon.

Approximate arrival time into Auckland is 4pm.

Day 3: AUCKLAND - WHITIANGA

Today is spent travelling right away from the tourist trail as the Magic coach leaves Auckland and follows the Miranda Seabird Coast to Thames and the very special Coromandel Peninsula, home to many stunning beaches and incredible native forest. We pass through quiet seaside towns of Tairua and Hahei, where you can Sea Kayak among other activities, before you have the chance to dig, and sit in, your very own warm water hole at Hot Water Beach (tide dependent). The incredible Cathedral Cove is next up. To finish the day, we suggest making a unique New Zealand souvenir by trying your hand at traditional Maori Bone Carving at a specialist studio in the chilled out town of Whitianga, our overnight stay.

Approximate arrival into Whitianga is 4.00pm

Day 4: WHITIANGA - ROTORUA

Today we head south from Whitianga, travelling further down the coast of the Coromandel passing through the surfing town of Whangamata and continue onto Waihi. From there the route takes us into the Karangahake Gorge and onto Paeroa. If you want to feel like a real local, grab yourself an L&P drink "World famous in New Zealand". Next we head off across country through the Thames Valley and quiant towns of Morrinsville, Kihikihi and Otorohanga to arrive in Waitomo by midday. We suggest all passengers check out the underground glow worms by slow boat, or get wet and wild with some cave tubing. Mid-afternoon, we head to Rotorua where Maori culture and thermal activity combine to makes a very unique destination. We recommend you spend more than one night as there is so much to do in this exceptional place. This evening, make sure you take the opportunity to try a Maori Hangi and Concert or relax in a hot pool. Not to be missed!

Approximate arrival into Rotorua is 5.30pm

Day 5: ROTORUA - TAUPO

Full steam ahead this morning, with a brief sightseeing tour which takes in Rotorua’s picturesque lakefront and Government Gardens. We then continue south visiting the spectacular Wai-O-Tapu geothermal area, famous for vivid mud pools and Lady Knox Geyser. Next up is Rock ‘n’ Ropes where you’ll have the opportunity to try the exhilarating high ropes course including the big swing or trapeze. Just before Taupo another incredible stop is the mighty Huka Falls, throwing over 200,000 litres of water each second. If you feel like an adrenaline rush, you will have the chance to try out the jet boat on the Huka River or bungy jump above it. Taupo is a town situated on the edge of a lake bigger than Singapore which, in true Kiwi fashion means there are heaps of adventure activities available here, such as tandem skydiving, horse riding, kayaking or fishing on the lake. Taupo is also the departure point to attempt the Tongariro Crossing. Described as NZ’s best one day trek, you will need at least two nights in Taupo to undertake the walk that takes you into the heart of volcano country. The nightlife in Taupo is outstanding, with many decent bars, cafes and restaurants to choose from.

Approximate arrival time in Taupo is 3.15pm.

Day 6: TAUPO - WELLINGTON

Today we head south out of Taupo following the lake before travelling along the aptly named Desert Road. This unique barren landscape forms part of New Zealand’s only official desert, the Rangipo Desert. For film buffs this scenery is also a welcome to Lord of the Rings country, with amazing photo opportunities of the Tongariro National Park, live volcanoes and the Tolkien inspired ‘Mt. Doom’. Later in the day we pass through the imaginatively named town of Bulls. Make sure you pay attention and try and spot a few of the unique shop names – it’s unforgettabull! In the afternoon, we arrive into Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city, were we stop to view Parliament Buildings and ‘The Beehive’ before heading to the summit of Mt Victoria for some fantastic views across the city and Cook Strait. There’s plenty to keep you busy here including lively cafes and don’t miss a visit to Te Papa, the national museum. Approximate arrival time in Wellington is 4.00pm.

Day 7: WELLINGTON - NELSON

This morning make your own way to the ferry terminal where you can catch the ferry across the Cook Strait to the South Island (N.B. price of ferry not included in some passes). Alternatively you can undertake this journey by air (your driver will help you book this) - whichever way, it is a fantastic journey with more fantastic uniquely New Zealand scenery. The Magic coach will meet you on the other side and you will quickly begin the next part of the journey through the beautiful countryside and famous wine regions toward Nelson, arriving late afternoon. Nelson ‘the sunshine capital of NZ’ is an arty city, has a relaxed atmosphere and is the gateway to Abel Tasman National Park. If you have time in your itinerary, NZ’s smallest National Park is a beautiful region with golden beaches, sparkling water and plenty of activities on offer.

Approximate arrival time in Nelson is 3.30pm.

Day 8: NELSON - GREYMOUTH

After leaving Nelson, we journey through the Hope Saddle and cross the picturesque Buller Gorge to New Zealand’s ‘Wild West Coast’ one of the more remote, rugged and most sparsely populated areas of the country. Today you will become aware of the amazing scenery and warm welcome that the West Coast is famous for. First stop on the coast is Cape Foulwind, named so by Captain Cook after his ship was blown off course. The cape is home to a fur seal breeding colony which you will have the chance to view. After driving through one of the many National Parks in the region – the Paparoa National Park, we take a stop to visit the famous Punakaiki Pancake Rocks which are a pretty amazing sight, especially when the sea is in full swing, before we head onto our overnight stop. Tonight in Greymouth we recommend you take part in a tour of the (very kiwi) Monteiths Brewery including an all you can eat BBQ. It’s a great chance to meet some of the interesting locals.

Approximate arrival time in Greymouth is 5.00pm.

Day 9: GREYMOUTH - FRANZ JOSEF

This morning we travel further down the West Coast before stopping in the township of Hokitika, famous for its local cuisine and Pounamu (Greenstone). The traces of gold rush that brought thousands to the area in the mid 1800s are still evident in the historic town of Ross, where we take time to do a spot of gold panning later in the morning. Heading further south we enter Westland National Park, an area containing numerous scenic lakes, dense forests, many of the Southern Alps highest peaks and two amazingly accessible glaciers. Time for more adventure! We arrive into the alpine village of Franz Josef in time for those who want to partake in a half day glacier hike. If you wish to aim higher, take a heli-hike that will deliver you to the top of the glacier within the midst of the Southern Alps. If you want a bit more of a challenge, allow an extra day and go for the full day glacier hike. There are not too many opportunities in the world to do something like this. If glaciers aren’t your thing, another option here is to go kayaking on the scenic Lake Mapourika, surrounded by stunning mountain peaks.

Approximate arrival time into Franz Josef in winter is 12.00pm and summer is 1.00pm.

Sector 10: FRANZ JOSEF - QUEENSTOWN

We have an early start for an action packed day. First up we pass through Fox, another village nestled next to a glacier before stopping off at Lake Matheson. Often called the ‘Mirror Lake’, it is famous for its reflections of the Southern Alps which dominate the skyline - perfect for those picture postcard photos. As we head inland away from the west coast via Haast and Makarora, the scenery changes from dense forest to vast plateaus as we enter the Central Otago region. Make sure you have your cameras ready as we pass Lake Hawea and shortly after, Lake Wanaka – a popular and recommended overnight stop. Next up, is a stop at the home of the bungy, the Kawarau Bridge, 42m over the Kawarau River and the world’s first commercial bungy site. We head into Queenstown late afternoon where there are endless activity options, from mild to wild. We have allowed two days in Queenstown (but many people prefer to stay longer) to soak it all up.

Approximate arrival time in Queenstown is 5.30pm.

Day 11: QUEENSTOWN
Spend the day trying one of the many activities in the "Adventure Capital of the World" or take a journey into majestic Milford Sound.

Day 12: QUEENSTOWN-DUNEDIN

Life will slow down a little as we leave Queenstown behind us. We head off along the old gold mining trail taking in some spectacular scenery through Central Otago to the city that is known as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’, Dunedin. A wonderful mixture of Victorian colonial history and contemporary cafes and bars, Dunedin also provides a great base to explore the largest variety of wildlife on the South Island. Upon arriving in Dunedin, get close to nature and join the highly recommended Elm Wildlife Tour that takes you to the Otago Peninsular to spot yellow-eyed penguins, Albatross, sea lions and fur seals up close. For something quite different, visit the Cadbury Chocolate Factory, where samples are included (yum!), or perhaps finish of a great day by joining the evening Speights Brewery Tour.

Approximate arrival time into Dunedin is 12.30pm.

Day 13: DUNEDIN - TEKAPO

We start the day with a chance to run up the world’s steepest street (that’s you, not the Magic coach!). The next stop is a walk on the beach to see the Moeraki Boulders, huge great rocks just scattered across the seashore renowned for their unique spherical shape. If you are after a real New Zealand experience take the opportunity to jump off the coach after passing through the historic stone town of Oamaru, and stay at a working farm in Kurow. As we head on into the Mackenzie Country, we pass 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 Aoraki Mt. Cook and the many surrounding lakes. The tranquil Lake Tekapo is our overnight destination, a small town located at the end of a lake by the same name. There is a lot on offer here including an optional day trip to Mt Cook, kayaking on the lake, fantastic sightseeing flights of the Southern Alps or a sedate visit to the idyllic Church of the Good Shepherd. Tonight, don’t miss the chance to view the Southern Hemisphere stars up close.

Approximate arrival time into Lake Tekapo is 4.00pm.

Day 14: TEKAPO - CHRISTCHURCH

After leaving the shores of Lake Tekapo, we travel around the edges of the stunning Mackenzie Country, crossing over Burkes Pass and the foothills of the Southern Alps. We then pass through the picturesque towns of Fairlie and Geraldine, stopping here for a short time. For those considering undertaking the ‘Lord of the Rings’ tour, let your driver know as you can get picked up just before Methven, a rural Canterbury town. The coach then heads through the Canterbury Plains, the largest area of flat land in NZ – a huge contrast to our previous days travel! On arrival in Christchurch, we go first to the International Antarctic Centre where you’ll have the option to learn more about the frozen continent and even undertake a Hagglund Ride before travelling into the centre of the ‘Garden City’.

Approximate arrival time into Christchurch is 12.30pm or 3.00pm if visiting the Antarctic Centre.

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Tour Itinerary