Six Of The Best Tour

Itinerary

DAY ONE            L , D  

Today we get underway to arrive at Taupo's Huka Falls mid-morning. Witness the roar and rumble as 220,000 litres of water per second thrusts its way through banks only 100 metres apart, dropping 11 metres in a magnificent aquamarine display. In Taupo township, we'll have a comfort stop time for morning tea and a walkabout before moving on to the trout hatchery at the Tongariro National Trout Centre and stopping in Turangi at the lovely Tongariro River Lodge for lunch. The National Trout Centre has a long history of programmes run by DOC to maintain and supply fish stocks. These days its function is to rear fish for children's fishing ponds and is an interesting place to learn more about our wild trout fisheries. On our way to the world heritage Tongariro National Park and depending on our time we will stop at Tree Trunk Gorge. This beautiful spot at the lower reaches of the Kaimanawa Ranges is home to a splendid stand of native red beech trees and a popular destination for mountain bike riders. Our accommodation and dinner tonight are at the timelessly elegant Chateau Tongariro – nestled amidst stunning alpine landscape surrounded by the sacred peaks of Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro.   

DAY TWO        B, MT, L, D

Following breakfast at the hotel, we will be heading up the mountain slopes to ride the country's longest gondola – Sky Waka. Our 1.8 km ride ascends the slopes over a dramatic terrain featuring waterfalls, ancient lava flows, and the most spectacular panoramas of the plains to the west. After a scrumptious morning tea , we leave the volcanic plateau and head back to Lake Taupo Hilton . From here we'll be back on the road to arrive in Napier at the Scenic Hotel Te Pania right on the waterfront, with time to settle in before gathering for dinner in the hotel. 

DAY THREE         B, MT, L, D  

We sure are living the high life on this trip – we are going to be admiring the amazing panorama from the summit of Te Mata Peak this morning after our breakfast! The 360-degree views are breathtaking, and the temptation will be to take a lot of photos no matter what direction you are facing. Morning tea will be at the café at Te Mata Figs. Established in 2008 to grow figs that would flourish in Hawkes Bay’s warm Mediterranean type climate, our hosts at The Figgery will take us on a tour, a chance to sample some of their 30 varieties of fresh figs and purchase from their extensive range of fig products. Save your appetite though as for lunch we make our way to award winning Cape Kidnappers. We are in for a culinary treat! Much of the produce that makes up the menu at Robertson's Lodges exclusive dining location is sourced from onsite vegetable garden as well as the fruit and boutique delicatessen products form the wider Hawkes Bay. Following lunch, we will take a tour through the main lodge. The afternoon will see us back in Napier to relax and explore the charming shops if you would like to, before dinner. 

DAY FOUR    B, L  

You can't get much fresher than Hawkes Bay Farmers Market this morning! After breakfast, we are making this our first port of call. The Market, a cornerstone of the region for 20 plus years, has an abundance of delicious produce gathered by its 65 stallholders and is not to be missed by any visitor to Hawkes Bay. Completing our mooch around the markets, we will board the coach for lunch down the road at Church Road. Renowned for being the first in New Zealand to craft exceptional Bordeaux style red wine, we will discover how Church Road pioneered the creation of the Hawke’s Bay wine industry. What a way to finish the trip. Sadly, this is our final adventure before we head back to Tauranga. Arriving in the early evening, we will undoubtedly look back on a journey enriched by first-class food and unforgettable scenery.