11 Day New Zealand North Island Garden Tour - Travel at 60 Community Group! (October 2020)

(B) Breakfast. (L) Lunch. (D) Dinner. (SD) Specialty Dinner.

Day 1: Arrive Auckland (D)

On arrival into Auckland you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel.

Hotel Rydges Auckland (2 nights)

Day 2: Auckland Sightseeing (B)

This morning enjoy the sights of Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city. Travel to Matakana to visit Sculptureum, an internationally unique art experience. Enjoy time to wander through the Garden of Creative Diversity and view the hundreds of displayed works in the Galleries. This afternoon travel to the Auckland Zoo for a guided tour of Te Wao Nui, six stunning habitats showcasing the native fauna and flora of New Zealand. This evening is free to dine at leisure.

Day 3: Auckland - Hamilton (B,D)

This morning travel to Ayrlies Garden and Wetlands, one of New Zealand’s best-known gardens and a Garden of National Significance. It is characterized by sweeping lawns and informal but detailed plantings by ponds & waterways. Use of colour is a hallmark of Ayrlies, seen best in the lurid border where ‘hot’ colours are used to great effect. This afternoon travel to Waikato’s most visited attraction, the Hamilton Gardens. A guided tour of the themed gardens will transport you from the peaceful Sung Dynasty Chinese Scholar’s garden to the Italian Renaissance garden followed by the grandeur of the Indian Char Bagh garden. Your guide will share the story of how the gardens were transformed from a rubbish dump into a Garden of International Significance.

Hotel Novotel Hamilton

Day 4: Hamilton - Matamata - Rotorua (B,L,D)

Today travel to Cambridge to visit the private garden of the Henley Hotel, nestled on 29 acres of parkland and features a camelia lined oval lawn and lakeside pavilion. You will be treated to High Tea amongst the cherry blossoms (weather permitting). Continue through picturesque countryside to Hobbiton for a buffet lunch followed by a guided tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set. Travel to Rotorua for a walk through the Rotorua Government Gardens before arriving at your hotel.

Hotel Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua (Superior Room. 2 nights)

Day 5: Rotorua Sightseeing (B,SD)

Today begins with a gondola ride to the Stratosfare Restaurant where a buffet breakfast and spectacular views are on offer. There is also time for a luge ride! Next stop is Agrodome for an action-packed hour of farming entertainment and education that’s unlike anything you’ve seen before. Travel to Te Puia for a tour of the boiling mud pools and awesome geysers that Rotorua is famous for. Enjoy some free time this afternoon before travelling to a Mãori village for an interactive and educational experience that culminates with a cultural performance and traditional Hãngi feast.

Day 6: Rotorua - Waitomo - New Plymouth (B,L,D)

Depart Rotorua and travel to Waitomo for a tour of the Glowworm Caves where tiny creatures radiate their luminescent light. Enjoy lunch in this native bushland setting before travelling to New Plymouth, home of the Taranaki Garden Festival. This afternoon will be spent visiting one of the festival gardens.

Hotel Copthorne New Plymouth (2 nights)

Day 7: Taranaki Garden Festival (B,D)

Today you will visit a variety of impressive gardens all set around the legendary Mount Taranaki. You will marvel at the majestic array of botanicals on display at this premier garden event which attracts thousands of visitors from New Zealand and the world. A selection of small private gardens and larger public gardens have been chosen to showcase the unique planting and local gardener’s will be on hand to share the history behind their garden.

Day 8: New Plymouth - Palmerston North (B,D)

Before we depart the Taranaki region, we visit one final stunning festival garden before travelling onto Whanganui for a shortstop. This afternoon continue to Cross Hills Rhododendron Garden, spanning 7 hectares, this park-like garden includes one of the world’s finest collections of rhododendrons and azaleas, which will provide a dazzling colour display. Continue to Palmerston North for your overnight stay.

Hotel Copthorne Palmerston North

Day 9: Palmerston North - Wellington (B)

Travel to the nation’s capital, Wellington. Ride the Wellington Cable Car, one of the city’s most iconic attractions, to the Botanic Gardens. Enjoy time to view the protected native forest and colourful floral displays with stunning views over Wellington city. Join your coach for an extensive city tour which will highlight the history and culture on show here. This evening is free to dine at leisure.

Hotel InterContinental Hotel (Deluxe Room. 2 nights)

Day 10: Wellington (B,D)

A highlight this morning will be time to explore Gallipoli: A Scale of War exhibition at Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum. Cutting edge technology brings these stories to life through the eyes of New Zealanders who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances. Enjoy time at leisure this afternoon. This evening enjoy a final dinner with your new-found friends.

Day 11: Depart Wellington (B)

Having experienced some of the finest gardens in New Zealand, it is time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable holiday.

Departing Australia 29 October 2020 and returning 08 November 2020

Departures from Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne:

• Twin Share from $4,599 pp + $195 pp air taxes = $4,794 pp
• Sole use from $5,949 + $195 pp air taxes = $6,144

Departures from Perth:

• Twin Share from $5,149 pp + $195 pp air taxes = $5,344 pp
• Sole use from $6,499 + $195 pp air taxes = $6,694

Departures from Adelaide, Launceston & Hobart:

• Twin Share from $4,899 pp + $195 pp air taxes = $5,094 pp
• Sole use from $6,249 + $195 pp air taxes = $6,444

Your holiday package includes 10 nights accommodation at the following hotels:

• Rydges Auckland
• Novotel Hamilton
• Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua
• Copthorne New Plymouth
• Copthorne Palmerston North
• InterContinental Hotel

CLOTHING

Whilst on tour, dress is informal and relaxed on most occasions. Smart casual clothes are acceptable at most restaurants. The seasons are more pronounced and the weather is more changeable. In summer, a jacket and sweater should be included in your luggage should the weather turn cooler or you visit higher altitudes. You can expect some rain, so also include a light rainproof jacket or coat. If visiting during the months ofMay and September, pack warm winter garments and layer your clothing.You may have the option to relax and unwind in thermal hot pools so don’t forget to pack your swimwear.

MONEY MATTERS

New Zealand’s unit of currency is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD). All major international credit cards are accepted and provided they are encoded with a PIN, may be used to obtain cash from Automatic Teller Machines throughout New Zealand. Check with your bank whether this facility is available to you. It is highly recommended you obtain a small amount ofNew Zealand currency prior to your arrival in New Zealand.Cash Passports or Travel Money Cards are popular and are a safe and convenient way to allow you to access cash at Automatic Teller Machines throughout New Zealand.

WEATHER

These are average minimum/maximum temperatures in Celsius only during Spring (Sep to Nov). They could vary by up to 4-6 degrees.

• Auckland 11 - 18
• Rotorua 07 - 17
• Wellington 09 - 15

TIPPING

New Zealanders do not depend on tips for their income, however tipping in appreciation for extra-special service is at the discretion of the individual traveller.Some tours may organise an envelope to be circulated for a group presentation to the Coach Captain and/or Tour Guide but any contribution is based on individual appreciation and is not mandatory.

INCIDENTALS

We suggest you allow a minimum of NZ $40 - $50 per day per person for incidental cash expenses such as lunch, morning and afternoon tea.

ROLE OF YOUR COACH CAPTAIN & TOUR GUIDE

Your Coach Captain is responsible for driving and maintaining the coach and for providing commentary throughout the tour. Your TourGuide is responsible for your wellbeing and for co-ordinating all the accommodation and activities. It is important whilst travelling on tour that you follow all Crew instructions.

COACH SEAT ROTATION

For the enjoyment of all travellers a daily seat rotation operates which all travellers must participate in as a condition of booking. The coach seat plan is displayed on the coach for your reference.