Northern Explorer

Kia Ora and welcome to Auckland. World-class activities, island getaways, black sand beaches and exceptional dining mean this sophisticated and adventurous harbour city has something for everyone. Enjoy your two-night Scenic Special Stay in the heart of the city. Celebrate the start of your journey and the wonders ahead at tonight’s welcome dinner. (D)

Today, enhance your Auckland visit with your choice of these Scenic Freechoice activities. (B/D)

Freechoice:

• America’s Cup Sailing Experience: This special adventure allows you to sail on an authentic America’s Cup yacht and be part of the crew. Take the helm or simply sit back and enjoy the ride as you sail through Auckland’s beautiful harbour.
• The Waiheke Gourmet Food & Wine Tour: Try some of Waiheke Island’s locally produced goods, accompanied by wines from the island. Succulent oysters, award-winning olive oils, honey and cheeses are all a part of this tour.
• Waitakere Wilderness Experience: Take a half day guided tour to Auckland’s wild, black sand beaches and the lush rainforest. Leave behind the bustle of the city and step into the tranquillity of the magnificent Waitakere Ranges. Experienced guides tell the story of the forest that covers this land with its unique flora and fauna.
• Auckland City Revealed: The Auckland city tour showcases the highlights of Auckland and takes you on a journey of discovery designed to explore the history and the sights, as well as how people in Auckland live and play. This small group tour is Auckland’s only scheduled city sightseeing tour that includes a drive to the top of a volcanic cone.
• Flavours of our City Walking tour: A city walking tour of Auckland while learning about its culture and history and tasting some of the delightful sweet and savoury food on offer. Visit a purveyor of artisan products and try award winning cheeses, honey and jams.
• All Blacks Experience & Weta Workshop Unleashed: Whether you have an interest in rugby or not, this full sensory, interactive experience allows visitors to connect with New Zealand and Maori art and culture, hear from our legends and gain insights into Kiwi lifestyle, attitude and humour.

Freechoice Dining: Choose between a local restaurant , Orbit 360 at Sky City, or dinner at the hotel’s Grand Millennium Brasserie.

• Tony’s Original Steak and Seafood Restaurant: Tony’s original Steak and Seafood Restaurant is Auckland’s oldest restaurant, an icon of the dining scene since the early 60’s. Famous for perfectly cooked steaks and tasty seafood, complimented by warm surroundings.
• Orbit Restaurant: Orbit offers a modern dining experience in a relaxed, open atmosphere with a delicious New Zealand-inspired à la carte menu that features the best local and seasonal produce. Situated at the top of Auckland’s Sky Tower, the dining room rotates once every hour, providing a truly unique experience with amazing 360° panoramas of the city, the Hauraki Gulf and beyond.
• Grand Millennium Ember Restaurant: Situated in Auckland’s city centre at The Grand Millennium hotel, enjoy dinner at the Grand Millennium Ember Restaurant. Admire the warm décor, open design and bold flavours within this relaxed atmosphere.

Travel north towards the Bay of Islands to the town of Paihia. The ‘Jewel of the Bay Islands’ features golden beaches, a huge variety of water activities and is near the historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Visit the Kauri Museum to learn about the history of the local pioneers and their inventive uses for the amazing kauri, “the greatest tree in New Zealand”. (B/D)

Enrich: The sense of awe you feel as you see the mighty Tane Mahuta kauri tree for the first time is unforgettable. Listen to stories from your local Maori guide about the ‘Lord of the Forest’.

Sunset Drinks: Watch the sunset with a drink on the terrace of your hotel.

Stay three nights in Paihia.

Elevate your stay in Paihia with your choice of these insightful Scenic Freechoice activities. (B/D)

Freechoice:

• Darryl’s Lunch Cruise: Cruise the calm inland waterways of Opua and Okiato, passing Omata Estate Vineyard to Kororareka Oyster Farms. Enjoy an included lunch of distinctive New Zealand flavour, whilst taking in the beautiful view of the local landscape with native bush, birdlife and marine wildlife.
• Russell Mini-Tour: Experience New Zealand’s past and present on a mini-tour of Russell. Known until the early 1840s as Kororareka, Russell was the first permanent European settlement and seaport in New Zealand. See many of Russell’s iconic locations such as the Christ Church and the historic Pompallier House.
• Discover the Bay Hole in the Rock Cruise: Discover the spectacular scenery in an area that is soaked in rich culture and history and encounter diverse wildlife in their natural surroundings. Visit the iconic ‘Hole in the Rock’ and, if conditions permit, travel through it.
• Taste the Bay Tour: Taste the Bay is a unique tour showcasing some of the finest produce that the far north of New Zealand has to offer. Discover and taste locally made avocado oil, Manuka honey, Makana chocolate and local wines.

Today, enjoy breakfast in this seaside town before venturing to the very tip of the North Island, Cape Reinga. (B/L)

Enrich: Journey to the top of New Zealand – Cape Reinga. Enjoy the thrill of travelling along Ninety Mile Beach and marvel at the immense sand dunes.

Enrich: This morning, discover the birthplace of New Zealand at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds with a Maori guide. This is considered the most important historical site in the country. Find out why on this meaningful tour.

Afterwards, bid farewell to Paihia as you depart for Whangarei, where you’ll learn first-hand the connection between art and nature at the Hundertwasser Art Centre. On display are works by the eponymous artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser as well as contemporary Maori artists that showcase architecture in harmony with nature and individual creativity. Tonight, you’ll enjoy a return stay at your hotel in Auckland. (B)

Take a trip to Middle earth with a visit to the Hobbiton™ Movie Set. Built for the filming of director Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, a Hobbiton™ tour takes you behind the scenes of the phenomenally successful movies and into a world of magic and adventure. Set in the heart of the picturesque Waikato region, Hobbiton™ is a must for fans of the Tolkien universe.

Then head to Rotorua, home of Maori culture and bubbling hot springs. Be immersed in both as you explore this geothermic hotspot, located within the Pacific Rim of Fire. Unique cultural experiences, such as hangi feasts cooked underground or village tours, provide deep insights into Maori history and lifestyle. The thermal pools themselves are an integral part of Maori healing.

Later, visit the National Kiwi Hatchery, the largest in the world, and discover how these unique birds are reared. The National Kiwi Hatchery hatches close to 120 chicks every year as part of a breeding program designed to protect this national icon. Tonight, enjoy your two-night stay in Rotorua. (B/L/D)

This morning, take a nature discovery treewalk along Rotorua’s mighty redwoods. Visit Te Puia Rotorua Geothermal Park, where you’ll witness bubbling mud ponds and powerful geysers of steam erupting from deep below.

During your time in Rotorua, enjoy your choice from the following Scenic Freechoice activities. (B/D)

Freechoice:

• City and Lakes Tour: Unlike any other tour in Rotorua, this is the best way to see the city and experience the beauty of the surrounding lake district all at once. Take a thrilling ride aboard an authentic WWII amphibious landing craft on this sightseeing adventure, enjoying the sights of Rotorua by land and water.
• Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa: Situated on the foreshore of Lake Rotorua, unwind in a therapeutic and rejuvenating experience, drawing on the centuries old legacy of Ngati Whakaue practices and culture.
• Gondola Ride & Volcanic Hills Winery: Sample carefully crafted Volcanic Hills wines from New Zealand’s most recognised and respected wine region, all while enjoying panoramic views over Lake Rotorua.

Enrich: Tonight, immerse yourself in Maori traditions at an authentic hangi dinner. This traditional method of cooking involves heated rocks in an umu, a pit oven buried underground. Meat and vegetables cooked in this style are made tender and filled with a smoky flavour.

You may choose to take a floatplane flight over the volcanic Mt Tarawera (additional expense, please book prior to departure).

See the force of nature at Huka Falls, New Zealand's most-visited natural attraction. More than 220,000 litres of water flow down the 11-metre-high waterfall every second.

Visit the magnificent Lake Taupo. Created by a volcanic eruption almost two thousand years ago, Lake Taupo’s prodigious size means it’s closer to an inland sea than a lake. Swimmers will discover warm currents flowing through the lake, a reminder of its geothermal origin.

Afterwards, you'll head to Hawke’s Bay and the beachside city of Napier. Filled with gorgeous Art Deco architecture from the 1930s, Napier is an architect’s dream. It’s also home to wineries, phenomenal dining and boutique shopping.

Be immersed in Napier’s culture and visual splendour with your choice of these Scenic Freechoice activities. (B/D)

Freechoice:

• Art Deco Walking tour: Discover the fascinating story of Napier’s heritage on a guided walking tour. Levelled by a devastating earthquake in 1931, the town was completely rebuilt within the contemporary style of the times, Art Deco.
• Vintage Car Highlight tour: Enjoy a mini tour of Napier in a luxurious 1930s vintage car. Learn of the city’s heritage and view some of its most famous landmarks.
• Aquarium tour: Join one of the Aquarium’s team as they take you behind the scenes to learn about Korora – Little Blue Penguins. You’ll learn on the rescue, rehabilitation and release work by their dedicated team, along with how conservation is key to protecting these precious little birds. There’ll also be an opportunity to explore the Aquarium and learn more about its inhabitants.

Enrich: Meet the makers at a special wine tasting and dinner tonight at the multi award-winning Mission Estate Winery, an iconic New Zealand landmark.

Enjoy your overnight stay in Napier.

Head south to the town of Greytown in the Wairarapa region. Here, the stunning architecture continues. Greytown is well known for its carefully restored Victorian buildings, as well as a vibrant shopping scene and a wide variety of cafes and restaurants.

Continue on to the nation’s capital Wellington for your two-night stay. Overlooking Wellington Harbour, your hotel is close to many of the city’s finest attractions. (B/D)

Welcome to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital. This colourful waterfront city lies on the southern end of the North Island, and provides a compelling mix of nature, creativity and culture. Street art abounds, and the story of New Zealand is told across a range of world-class museums. The Wellington Cable Car is a great way to take in the scope of this compact city. (B)

Enrich: Take an in-depth journey of Te Papa, New Zealand's interactive and immersive national museum, to discover the treasures and stories of the country and its people.

It’s time to bid a fond farewell to your new friends and the wonders of New Zealand and head home with stories for life.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the journey will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information. (B)