Itinerary
Day 1: Auckland, New Zealand
Arrive in Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, and transfer to your hotel. Auckland is surrounded by 48 volcanoes and numerous picturesque islands, and its seaside location has earned it the nickname "City of Sails" because of the many yachts that frequent its harbors and the adjoining Hauraki Gulf.
Day 2: Auckland / Shorebird Center / Pauanui
Your guide meets you at the hotel this morning for your departure to the dramatic Coromandel Peninsula, renowned for its pristine white sand beaches, misty mountain forests and laid-back vibe. Following a scenic coastline where thousands of resident and migratory shorebirds breed and nest, stop at the world-famous Pukorokoro Miranda Shorebird Center for an introductory talk about bird ecology, habitat and conservation, and take a short guided walk to the bird hides to observe them. Some of the species make astounding annual migrations, including the godwit that flies 7,000 miles from Arctic Alaska to New Zealand—the longest nonstop migration of a land bird on the planet. Viewing varies depending on season and time of day; the best bird observations come at high tide or up to two hours on either side. If you didn’t bring your own binoculars, you can rent them here.
Continue to the historic gold mining town of Thames for lunch and to explore some of old buildings and churches dating to the town's founding in the mid-19th century. This afternoon, ascend through steep volcanic mountains clad in dense rain forest to reach a hidden valley deep in the Coromandel Ranges. Here, an easy two-hour nature walk offers a chance to learn about the local flora, fauna and natural history of the area. Peek inside a cavern left over from the gold mining era to spy glittering glowworms inside. Then it’s just a short drive to the quiet coastal town of Pauanui where dinner awaits at our lodge's award-winning restaurant featuring an acclaimed Pacific Rim menu.
Day 3: Coromandel Peninsula / Rotorua / Treewalk
Spend the day exploring the natural riches of the Coromandel Peninsula before continuing south to Rotorua. At every turn, more stunning coastal scenery showcases dazzling beaches, vertical cliffs, Maori Pa (village) sites and offshore islands. Walk to the famous Hot Water Beach, where naturally heated mineral water bubbles up from deep within the earth to emerge through golden sand. Have lunch in Whenuakite at a popular local cafe set in an orchard, offering a true farm-to-table experience with every dish made on site. Leaving the rugged elevations of the peninsula, travel across some of the richest dairy farmland in the world, catching a glimpse of the largest waterfall on the North Island. Enter the rain forest once more and arrive in Rotorua by late afternoon. On arrival, enjoy an elevated outing on the Redwoods Treewalk, a 2,200-foot stroll over 28 suspension bridges through a forest more than a century old. After checking in to your lakefront hotel, head into town with your Expedition Leader for dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 4: Exploring Rotorua, the Lakes & Okere Falls Gorge / Kiwi Conservation Center / Te Puia Cultural Show
Today is devoted to discovering the unique landscapes, history and culture of Rotorua and environs. Start with a visit to the historic Maori village of Ohinemutu, set on the shores of Lake Rotorua among steaming vents and boiling hot pools. On a privately guided walk through this place known as the birthplace of Rotorua, learn about the Ngati Whakaue iwi (tribe), culture and history of the magnificent marae and buildings that comprise this site, still home to a few hundred descendants of the original Maori settlers. Then take a short boat ride to Mokoia Island, renowned for its unspoiled natural beauty, where we’ll witness geothermal activity and learn the Maori history that permeates the island. Look up to watch New Zealand’s native and endangered bird species flit through the canopy.
After lunch in town, head off on a less-traveled circuit around the Rotorua lakes. A short walk leads to Okere Falls gorge, where, if you are lucky, you’ll see rafters drop over the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world. Your guide interprets more of the native New Zealand forest, and you will hear about one of New Zealand’s first sustainable hydro-power stations that was installed in this area. The afternoon holds views of some of the most beautiful lakes on the North Island – Lake Tararewa and Blue Lake, in a landscape dramatically altered following the eruption of Mount Tararewa in 1886. You will also visit a pre-European Maori rock art site.
Late this afternoon, take a guided tour of Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley to witness native bush, geysers, mud pools, and traditional carving and weaving. Your visit includes the Kiwi Conservation Center, to see New Zealand's most famous bird up close and learn about efforts to protect them. For a festive finale to your North Island adventure, take in spectacular geothermal views while enjoying an unforgettable cultural feast that infuses Maori flavors with locally sourced cuisine. You will then be led to view an exhilarating cultural performance that takes place in a carved meeting house. The evening ends with a visit to the largest geyser in the southern hemisphere—Pohutu—where the Maori kuia (women elders) tell traditional stories over a cup of hot chocolate.
Day 5: Rotorua / Dunedin
Transfer to the airport for your morning flight to Dunedin to join your New Zealand Nature Explorer tour.
Arrive in Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, and transfer to your hotel. Auckland is surrounded by 48 volcanoes and numerous picturesque islands, and its seaside location has earned it the nickname "City of Sails" because of the many yachts that frequent its harbors and the adjoining Hauraki Gulf.
Day 2: Auckland / Shorebird Center / Pauanui
Your guide meets you at the hotel this morning for your departure to the dramatic Coromandel Peninsula, renowned for its pristine white sand beaches, misty mountain forests and laid-back vibe. Following a scenic coastline where thousands of resident and migratory shorebirds breed and nest, stop at the world-famous Pukorokoro Miranda Shorebird Center for an introductory talk about bird ecology, habitat and conservation, and take a short guided walk to the bird hides to observe them. Some of the species make astounding annual migrations, including the godwit that flies 7,000 miles from Arctic Alaska to New Zealand—the longest nonstop migration of a land bird on the planet. Viewing varies depending on season and time of day; the best bird observations come at high tide or up to two hours on either side. If you didn’t bring your own binoculars, you can rent them here.
Continue to the historic gold mining town of Thames for lunch and to explore some of old buildings and churches dating to the town's founding in the mid-19th century. This afternoon, ascend through steep volcanic mountains clad in dense rain forest to reach a hidden valley deep in the Coromandel Ranges. Here, an easy two-hour nature walk offers a chance to learn about the local flora, fauna and natural history of the area. Peek inside a cavern left over from the gold mining era to spy glittering glowworms inside. Then it’s just a short drive to the quiet coastal town of Pauanui where dinner awaits at our lodge's award-winning restaurant featuring an acclaimed Pacific Rim menu.
Day 3: Coromandel Peninsula / Rotorua / Treewalk
Spend the day exploring the natural riches of the Coromandel Peninsula before continuing south to Rotorua. At every turn, more stunning coastal scenery showcases dazzling beaches, vertical cliffs, Maori Pa (village) sites and offshore islands. Walk to the famous Hot Water Beach, where naturally heated mineral water bubbles up from deep within the earth to emerge through golden sand. Have lunch in Whenuakite at a popular local cafe set in an orchard, offering a true farm-to-table experience with every dish made on site. Leaving the rugged elevations of the peninsula, travel across some of the richest dairy farmland in the world, catching a glimpse of the largest waterfall on the North Island. Enter the rain forest once more and arrive in Rotorua by late afternoon. On arrival, enjoy an elevated outing on the Redwoods Treewalk, a 2,200-foot stroll over 28 suspension bridges through a forest more than a century old. After checking in to your lakefront hotel, head into town with your Expedition Leader for dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 4: Exploring Rotorua, the Lakes & Okere Falls Gorge / Kiwi Conservation Center / Te Puia Cultural Show
Today is devoted to discovering the unique landscapes, history and culture of Rotorua and environs. Start with a visit to the historic Maori village of Ohinemutu, set on the shores of Lake Rotorua among steaming vents and boiling hot pools. On a privately guided walk through this place known as the birthplace of Rotorua, learn about the Ngati Whakaue iwi (tribe), culture and history of the magnificent marae and buildings that comprise this site, still home to a few hundred descendants of the original Maori settlers. Then take a short boat ride to Mokoia Island, renowned for its unspoiled natural beauty, where we’ll witness geothermal activity and learn the Maori history that permeates the island. Look up to watch New Zealand’s native and endangered bird species flit through the canopy.
After lunch in town, head off on a less-traveled circuit around the Rotorua lakes. A short walk leads to Okere Falls gorge, where, if you are lucky, you’ll see rafters drop over the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world. Your guide interprets more of the native New Zealand forest, and you will hear about one of New Zealand’s first sustainable hydro-power stations that was installed in this area. The afternoon holds views of some of the most beautiful lakes on the North Island – Lake Tararewa and Blue Lake, in a landscape dramatically altered following the eruption of Mount Tararewa in 1886. You will also visit a pre-European Maori rock art site.
Late this afternoon, take a guided tour of Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley to witness native bush, geysers, mud pools, and traditional carving and weaving. Your visit includes the Kiwi Conservation Center, to see New Zealand's most famous bird up close and learn about efforts to protect them. For a festive finale to your North Island adventure, take in spectacular geothermal views while enjoying an unforgettable cultural feast that infuses Maori flavors with locally sourced cuisine. You will then be led to view an exhilarating cultural performance that takes place in a carved meeting house. The evening ends with a visit to the largest geyser in the southern hemisphere—Pohutu—where the Maori kuia (women elders) tell traditional stories over a cup of hot chocolate.
Day 5: Rotorua / Dunedin
Transfer to the airport for your morning flight to Dunedin to join your New Zealand Nature Explorer tour.
Physical Rating: Moderate
Repeater Layout :
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