DAY1: ARRIVE AUCKLAND

Pick up self drive rental vehicle on arrival at Auckland International Airport. Transfer by self drive rental car to your hotel in the “City of Sails”. The rest of the day is at leisure

DAY2: AUCKLAND / BAY OF ISLANDS

This morning depart your hotel and travel north over the Auckland Harbour Bridge and along the Hibiscus Coast with endless golden beaches and clear waters. View native Kauri trees enroute. Continue north through the city of Whangarei, the capital of the Northland Province and the largest city in this area, to the small township of Kawakawa and on to Paihia, the jewel in the beautiful Bay of Islands. Check in to hotel and relax at leisure.

DAY 3: BAY OF ISLANDS

Today we have included Fuller’s Bay of Islands “Flexi-Choice Ticket” which allows you to choose from one of the following tours: the Supercruise; Dolphin Adventures; Hole in the Rock Cruise; Cape Brett Cruise or Cape Reinga Wanderer. Also included today is a free return ferry ticket from Paihia to the historic settlement of Russell across the bay. Enjoy your day in the bay with its history and the beauty of this part of New Zealand all around you.

DAY 4: BAY OF ISLANDS / AUCKLAND

Full day excursion to Milford Sound. Travel alongside the shores of Lake Wakatipu beneath the towering Remarkables mountain range and across the flat Southland Plains to Te Anau, gateway to the Fiordland National Park, now proclaimed a World Heritage Park. Pass through Beech forests, glaciated valleys, the Homer Tunnel with its 1:10 gradient, and stunning scenery to reach the majestic Milford Sound.

Enjoy a cruise on this world famous fiord which is dominated by Mitre Peak and the Bowen Falls. View spectacular waterfalls, seals, dolphins and maybe some penguins as well as stunning scenery. Return to Queenstown late in the afternoon and the rest of the day is at leisure to relax.

DAY 5: AUCKLAND / WAITOMO / ROTORUA

Travel south from Auckland to Rotorua through the lush green dairy farming region of the Waikato Province to arrive at the Waitomo Caves. Enjoy a guided tour through this famous underground grotto and see the limestone formations with staligtites and stalagmites and thousands of tiny glow worms. Continue on to Rotorua following the Waikato River for part of the way and then via the bushclad Mamaku Ranges to arrive at the “Thermal Spa City” of Rotorua, set on the shores of Lake Rotorua.

DAY 6: ROTORUA

Today enjoy a self drive sightseeing tour of some of the highlights of Rotorua including a visit to Te Puia Thermal Reserve to see boiling mudpools and geysers,and learn about Maori culture. Also visit the Paradise Valley Springs to see New Zealand trout, birds and wildlife before continuing on to the Agrodome where you will watch a New Zealand Farm show featuring sheep dog demonstrations, cow milking and learn about the New Zealand sheep farming industry and the different breeds of sheep.

The afternoon is at leisure for Optional activities or exploring on your own. Options today may be to visit the Polynesian Pools and relax in the thermal waters which are sourced from the earth directly below. (Please note that Optional costs are not included in the tour costs. This evening enjoy an authentic Maori Concert and Hangi Dinner.

DAY 7: ROTORUA / AUCKLAND

This morning is at leisure for some shopping or Optional activities. Depart Rotorua and return to Auckland via the Waikato Province and follow the Waikato River through Cambridge with its many thoroughbred horse stud farms to Hamilton and Ngaruawahia. Continue on north to Auckland arriving in the late afternoon. Check in to hotel and rest of the day is at leisure to relax or to explore some more of the "City of Sails" on your own. Enjoy your last night.

DAY 8: DEPART AUCKLAND

Your arrangements conclude today with the drop off of your rental car at Auckland International Airport prior to boarding your departure flight. Bon Voyage! We trust that you have enjoyed your New Zealand holiday with Adventure Pacific.