Unique Holiday Tours

  

 

For many years our clients have been requesting a Unique Holidays North Island Tour. We are pleased to announce we have now finalised this tour which will be running in November 2011 and May 2012. This tour has been developed in the traditional Unique Holidays fashion to ensure you see the essential North Island of New Zealand.

Season 2011/12 - North and South Island Tours

Depart from Palmerston North	Return to Palmerston North	Location
SUN 13th Nov 2011	FRI 2rd Dec 2011	North Island
4th March 2012	24th March 2012	South Island
1st April 2012	21st April 2012.	South Island
SUN 6th May 2012	FRI 25th May 2012	North Island

 

South Island Itinerary - click on the map below for website details of each day

 

 

North Island Tour
20 DAYS - $3,350 (based on Twin Share)
ITINERARY AND MEALS
B Breakfast (Continental) – D Dinner (2 course)

DAY 1 - Palmerston North – New Plymouth D Eager to get on the road and begin our first North Island tour we wave goodbye to Palmerston North at 8.30am. Travelling through Wanganui and onto Hawera, stopping at the widely acclaimed New Zealand’s best privately owned museums - Tawhiti Museum. Lunch in Hawera, then back on the road touring around the Surf Highway arriving in New Plymouth approx 4.00pm. (Hotel Dinner) DAY 2- New Plymouth-Forgotten Highway-Hamilton B + L+ D Touring along S.H.3 to Stratford arriving for the 10.00am Glockenspiel chimes and our morning tea stop. Continuing onto S.H.43 the spectacularly scenic Forgotten Highway–New Zealand’s oldest touring route, rich in history. Lunch is provided at Whangamomona Hotel. Completing the Forgotten Highway our final stop for today is Hamilton arriving approx 5pm (Hotel Dinner) DAY 3 - Hamilton-Waitomo Caves-Hamilton B + D Free day can be enjoyed wandering around Hamilton or optional excursion to Waitomo Caves. Waitomo Glowworm Caves are a must see for any traveler. Enjoy the world famous boat ride under thousands of magical glowworms and become a part of over 120 years of cultural and natural history.(Hotel Dinner) DAY 4 - Hamilton-Auckland-Helensville-Whangarei B + D Today we travel to New Zealand’s biggest city—The City of Sails. Heading toward the Harbour bridge we pass Auckland’s largest marina. Following S.H.16 along the West Coast we arrive in Helensville for lunch in the park. After lunch we travel to Matakohe the home to one of New Zealand’s most amazing themed museums; The Kauri Museum. For a small admission cost you have the opportunity to see the heritage at it’s best.(Hotel Dinner) DAY 5 - Whangarei-Oakura-Kawakawa-Paihia B + D Today’s touring is interesting with diverse scenery, from the kauri forest and secluded harbours of the Bay of Islands south along spectacular volcanic coastlines. Kawakawa is home to the famous Hundertwasser- designed public toilets. After a photo opportunity of the toilets there is time for a ice cream. Final stop today is in Paihia. (Hotel Dinner) DAY 6 - Paihia-Waitangi-Paihia B + D We start the day with a short trip to Waitangi to visit the historic reserve of the Treaty House. After morning tea we drive to the Haruru Falls which are visible from the road. Returning back to Paihia for a free afternoon (Hotel Dinner). DAY 7 - Paihia B + D Free day (Hotel Dinner) DAY 8 - Paihia-KeriKeri-KariKari Peninsula-Kaitaia B + D A short trip to the town of KeriKeri taking time to visit historical sights such as the Stone Store and Rewi’s village. Today you will see a beautiful stretch of northern coastline, sheltered harbours and golden beaches. Stopping for lunch at the world famous Mangonui Fish n Chip shop. Choose from a range of fresh seafood, including crayfish, fish and chips or smoked fish. Continuing along this beautiful coastline our final stop is Kaitaia. (Hotel Dinner) DAY 9 - Kaitaia-Cape Reinga-Kaitaia B + D Free day or the opportunity to travel to the top of New Zealand. Optional excursion with Harrison’s Cape Reinga Tours & 90 Mile Beach. This excursion leaves from our hotel at 9.00am and returns at 5.00pm.(Hotel Dinner)

Day 10, Kaitaia-Kiakohe-Opononi-Whangarei B + D Travelling down the West Coast we head towards the beautiful kauri forest. Morning tea stop in Opononi and a chance to view the monument of Opo the dolphin. We stop for a short stroll to view the group of kauri trees known as the Four Sisters. A short distance further along a walking track to a most impressive kauri known as Te Matua (the father of the forest) Afternoon tea stop in Dargaville before arriving back in Whangarei. (Hotel Dinner) DAY 11 Whangarei-Auckland-Manukau City B + D We wave goodbye to Northland and travel back to Auckland. After morning tea we spend a couple of hours touring Auckland’s Heritage allowing time to view the 360 degree panoramic view of Auckland from Mt Eden and viewing the intriguing One Tree Hill. Afternoon is free (Hotel Dinner) DAY 12 Manukau City–Coromandel-Whangamata B + D Leaving the big smoke we travel around the Firth of Thames for morning tea in the gold town of Thames. After a cuppa we head towards Coromandel Peninsula renowned for it’s spectacular views and tranquil townships. Time to wander around Coromandel township and visit a couple of the attractions. Of course, NO visit to the north island would be complete without sitting on the beach in your own private hot pool at the world renowned Hot Water Beach! (Hotel Dinner) DAY 13 - Whangamata-Waihi-Tauranga-Rotorua B + D Gold fever is today’s theme with a chance to view the open goldpit in the middle of Waihi township, truly unbelievable sight. Travelling through the Karangahake gorge for morning tea and time to explore the history. Continuing on S.H.2 we head to our lunch destination in Tauranga. Back on the road travelling through kiwi fruit country of Te Puke with our final stop in Rotorua arriving approx 4.30pm.(Hotel Dinner) DAY 14 - Rotorua B Free Day to enjoy many optional excursions (Dinner not provided) DAY 15 - Rotorua B + D Free Day to enjoy many optional excursions (Hotel Dinner) DAY 16 - Rotorua-Whakatane-Gisborne B + D Today’s touring follows a string of extraordinarily beautiful lakes as we travel to Whakatane for morning tea. Across the Waiweka Gorge we stop in the middle at the small township of Matawai for lunch followed by a city tour of Gisborne. Our arrival to our hotel approx 4.30pm. (Hotel Dinner) DAY 17- Gisborne-Tolaga Bay Return B + D This morning we travel to Tolaga Bay. Tolaga Bay wharf is the longest in the Southern Hemisphere. Have your walking shoes at the ready to walk the 600m old wharf. Afternoon is free (Hotel Dinner) DAY 18 - Gisborne-Morere Hot Springs-Napier B Heading down the East Coast into Hawkes Bay today where you will see vineyards, orchards and a significant collection of Art Deco buildings. Afternoon is free (Hotel Dinner) DAY 19- Napier B + D Free Day with many tours available to enjoy. (Hotel Dinner) DAY 20 - Napier-Palmerston North B On the home stretch today we make our way back to Palmerston North. We travel through the Manawatu Gorge and then a visit up to the Te Apiti windfarm lookout. A stunning view point gives you a panoramic view of the Manawatu and Tararua regions. Stand beneath one of the mighty wind turbines, the sheer size and height will amaze you. With brimming memories of our first North Island tour the tour ends approx 4.00pm