See all the highlights of the Waitomo Caves and Rotorua in one day. You'll take a guided tour of Waitomo Caves stalactites and glowworms, and see Rotorua's bubbling mud pools and geysers, and make many other interesting stops along the way.
At Waitomo you'll take a guided tour through the long galleries and lofty chambers to view stalactites formed over thousands of years by the constant dripping of water. Your caves tour includes a magical boat ride through the glowworm grotto, illuminated by thousands of glowworms suspended from the cave ceiling.
Next you'll at the Agrodome you'll see sheep mustering by highly trained dogs, sheep shearing demonstrations and receive an insight into the history of dairy farm milking. Don't miss the opportunity to milk a cow, feed young animals or even be photographed with a huge bull!
Then it's on to the famous Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve to see the renowned silica terraces, bubbling mud pools and unique geothermal vegetation. Exploding from the ground up to 100 feet (30 meters) high is the world-famous Pohutu Geyser, which bursts into life 10-20 times a day and has been a visitor attraction since the early 1900s.
You'll also visit the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, to see how traditional carvings and weavings record history and customs in the Maori sacred meeting houses.
Dine on a sumptuous seafood buffet aboard a 50-foot (15-meter) yacht, then take an evening cruise on Auckland's beautiful Waitemata Harbour to see the twinkling city lights. It's a fantastic way to spend an evening in Auckland!
Your evening begins in the Auckland Viaduct, where you will be assisted aboard the yacht. After being welcomed onboard by the captain, you'll sail to Westhaven Marina's calm anchorage for dinner. Your three-course seafood dinner is served below decks, accompanied by a range of beverages which can purchased from the ship's bar.
After dinner you'll set sail for an exhilarating cruise on Waitemata Harbour. You can either sit back, relax and watch Auckland's fairytale city lights, or join in and help the crew sail the yacht along the picturesque harbor.
Seafood Dinner Menu:
Ideal for the first time visitor, this comprehensive scenic tour of Auckland will introduce you to all the must-see sights and attractions. Escorted by a local guide; from land and at sea and from such great heights, you'll come to appreciate why Auckland is known as the City of Sails.
View the famous Auckland landmark Mt Eden. From this fantastic vantage point you will see evidence of Auckland's volcanic history. See Auckland Domain - the city's oldest park, situated on a 62,000 year old volcano with fabulous views of the harbor and across to Rangitoto Island. Visit the shopping area of Parnell Village with its historic buildings that have been transformed into boutique, antique, craft and specialty shops.
Continue onto Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World and see King and Gentoo penguins on your snow cat ride through the Antarctic Encounter. In the Underwater World come face-to-face with giant stingrays, moray eels, schools of fish and sharks. All these creatures are only centimeters away, on the other side of the unique acrylic underwater tunnel.
The Native New Zealand Encounter Show at Auckland Zoo will showcase New Zealand's unique wildlife.
Next stop is the famous Waitemata Harbor. Enjoy a cruise aboard a Pride of Auckland sailing yacht. Sit back, relax or try your hand at sailing. Complimentary tea or coffee and homemade muffins are included.
Finish your Auckland experience at the top of the Sky Tower. At 328 meters (more than 1000 feet), it's the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere. On a clear day it offers breathtaking views for more than 80 kms in every direction.
Tour Highlights include:
Discover the vibrant city of Auckland with flexibility and ease on a hop-on hop-off bus across all major sites and attractions. Complete with audio commentary, you're free to hop-on and off at your leisure. If you have limited time - this is the perfect way to explore the city, especially if this is your first visit to Auckland.
The Auckland Hop-on Hop-off tour includes commentary and visits the "Big 14 Attractions" of Auckland. Buses leave every 30 minutes (hourly in Winter). Explore the likes of Kelly Tarlton's, Auckland Museum, Mount Eden and Sky Tower to name just a few.
Valid for one or two days, the Auckland hop-on hop-off tour takes one-hour to complete an entire loop, or you can choose to hop-on and off during the day visiting Aucklands attractions along the way.
There is a comprehensive audio commentary on the bus as it travels around the loop. The audio commentary is available in English only.
Chinese, French, Korean, Japanese, Spanish and German timetable is available from the driver.
Here's your chance to be Spiderman as you climb aboard Auckland's Harbour Bridge. In just 90 mintues you'll traverse the walkways accompanied by a local guide, while Auckland's incredible sights are showcased below you. Don't miss this exhilarating experience suitable for all fitness levels. It's the ultimate high!
Step onto a dynamic bridge which has grown up with New Zealanders. Stylishly converted paths make for an easier trip, with ladder-like walkways and kindly curving arches adding to the thrill of being 67 meters (200 feet) above the water. Well informed guides share the bridge's colorful secrets, amazing architectural features and the myth and legend surrounding this New Zealand landmark.
And way above it all, stretching into the distance, the 360 degree views from the bridge's summit are a spectacular reward. Magnificent picture postcard views of a bustling harbor, island landscapes and vibrant city skyline make Auckland Bridge Climb truly the ultimate high"!
Auckland Bridge Highlights Climb:
The Highlights Climb is a swifter, yet still action-packed bridge climbing experience for those a little shorter on time. Lasting just under 1 hour, but featuring the same full access as the longer climb, as well as a guided tour, and of course, the amazing views of city and sea.
Jump aboard a catamaran to Cape Brett Lighthouse and the Hole in the Rock on Motukokako Island. It's the Bay of Islands' most popular cruise!
Departing Auckland, you'll head north over the Auckland Harbour Bridge and enjoy spectacular rural and coastal scenery en route to the Bay of Islands. On arrival in the Bay, you'll visit the Waitangi Treaty House and grounds, and see a traditional Maori meeting house and a huge waka (war canoe).
You'll then experience the Hole in the Rock from the water: a sightseeing cruise by high-speed catamaran across the waves. Bring your camera to capture the marvelous scenery and variety of wildlife including whales, seals, dolphins, penguins and other marine life.
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The America's Cup is the world's oldest and most prestigious sporting trophy and ultimate yachting regatta. Usually the domain of billionaires and elite professional yachties, NZL 40 and NZL 41 offer the unique opportunity for everyone to participate sailing on these grand prix racing machines. With the America's Cup being sailed here in 2000 and 2003, no trip is complete without experiencing the real Auckland, 'City of Sails'.
There are two sailing options available - choose to join a two hour sailing experience or a three hour match race (begins October).
The Auckland, Waitomo Caves and Rotorua tour departs Auckland and travels south through the rich farmland of the Waikato region. Stop for a short morning tea break in the historic township of Rangiriri, once the site of a Maori fortification where fierce land battles were fought between the Maori and British troops. From here, continue on through the "Bridge City" of Hamilton. Then onto Waitomo, where the tour stops for a buffet lunch (included if this option is selected) at the fantastic new facilities at the world famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Enjoy your lunch as you sit and relax amongst the trees in the natural setting outside the caves.
After lunch, begin your guided tour through the long galleries and lofty chambers to view stalactites formed over thousands of years by the constant dripping of water. Your tour will end with a boat ride through the glowworm grotto that is illuminated by thousands of tiny lights emitted by the glowworms, suspended from the cave ceiling.
Reboard your coach and continue on to Rotorua. On the way to Rotorua, follow the Waikato River to the Karapiro Dam on Lake Karapiro for a short refreshment break. As you near Rotorua, your coach enters the Fitzgerald glade, a section of the highway where the native bush grows right up to the roadside and the trees form a canopy overhead like a tunnel. The journey finally takes you up over the Mamaku Saddle and descends into the city of Rotorua, where you will be transferred to your hotel.
Tour Highlights include:
For a different view of Southern Hemisphere life, the tour begins at Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World. Check out real snow and ice, and see the cute King and Gentoo penguins on your snow cat ride through the Antarctic Encounter. In the Underwater World come face-to-face with giant stingrays, moray eels, schools of fish and ferocious sharks! All this and a whole lot more.
You will then be taken on an exclusive Nature New Zealand Encounter Show at Auckland Zoo. Never offered before, this encounter will showcase New Zealand's native species. Experience a close encounter with a silent flight of the Morepork (owl), a tame kiwi scavenging for food, the Kereru (wood pigeon) swallowing large native fruit, and the cold clammy stare of a living dinosaur - the Tuatara.
There's no escaping the lure of the ocean. The next stop is Auckland's famous Waitemata Harbor. Enjoy a cruise aboard a Pride of Auckland yacht, going where the wind and tide conditions suggest. Sit back, relax and take in the sights, listen to informative commentary or try your hand at sailing. You will be treated to complimentary tea or coffee and homemade muffins, freshly baked.
Finish your Auckland experience at the top of the Sky Tower, the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere at 328 meters (1000ft), is built to take you to an all time high. Stand on the glass floor panels and see Auckland at your feet - if you dare! Sky Tower has glass-fronted lifts, touch screen computers, audio guides and an outdoor observation deck. Part of Sky City - New Zealand's most popular 24-hour entertainment complex.
Tour Highlights include:Tour the Bay of Islands on a full-day trip from Auckland. You'll see spectacular rural and coastal scenery en route, visit historic Waitangi, cruise from Paihia and have free time to enjoy the cafes, museums and shops of Russell, New Zealand's early capital.
Your day trip starts with a scenic drive from Auckland to visit the Waitangi Treaty House and grounds, and see a traditional Maori meeting house and a huge waka (war canoe). Next you'll board the Bay Belle ferry to cruise from Paihia to historic Russell, a lovely town that retains the charm of its early whaling port days.
At Russell, you'll join a fascinating mini-tour of the area with a local guide. After the tour you'll have free time to wander and enjoy the cafes, museums and craft shops along the waterfront. You'll also have free time to explore the arcades and shops in Paihia before reboarding your coach back to Auckland.
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