North Island Hikers Paradise New Zealand

North Island Hikers Paradise New Zealand

Highlights

Day 1 North Island New Zealand Hawke’s Bay

The adventure begins in Hawke’s Bay. We recommend the Lodge at Craggy Range.

Days 2 and 3 Hawke’s Bay

Today select from the following optional activities:

• Hawke’s Bay Sightseeing tour: Your guide will show you the best of the Hawke’s Bay – from wineries to the Maori culture! It will be arranged to suit your interests. You may like to enjoy a walk amongst the diverse collection of art deco buildings in Napier or meet fascinating artists in their studios and view their works. Enjoy lunch at one of the fantastic local wineries and then later in the day there is an opportunity to taste some wine and produce made in the area. All whilst exploring stunning scenery and absorbing our history! *Please pay direct for lunch.
• Hiking Te Mata Peak: Te Mata Peak, behind Havelock North, gives 360° views of Hawke’s Bay. Visitors can drive, cycle or walk through 98 hectares of parkland on a series of well graded walking tracks. The round trip takes about two hours 15 minutes but shorter walks, suitable for both leisure and more active walkers, are signposted along the way.
• Art Deco Sightseeing Tour of Napier: Napier’s title as the ‘art deco capital of the world’ comes as a direct result of a complete re-build of the inner city following a disastrous earthquake that devastated the region in 1931. Designed by some of the world’s most applauded young architects of the day, Napier’s streets are a vibrant celebration of Art Deco, Art Nouveau and Spanish Mission styles which provide a colourful and unique insight into Napier’s past.

Day 4 Gannet Colony and Lake Taupo

09:00 Private vehicle transfer to the start of the activity:

Gannet 4WD Safari *4hrs

Enjoy a Gannet Safari through Cape Kidnappers Station – traversing riverbeds, broad rolling pastures, through stands of native bush, steep gullies and breathtaking inclines. There is a stop on the way at a spectacular cliff top with panoramic views of Hawke’s Bay right across to Mahia Peninsula. The amazing geology of the area can also be taken in. Cape Kidnappers is home to the largest, most accessible, mainland colony of gannets in the world. On arrival at the gannet colony you can stretch your legs and take in the mouthwatering scenery from your position at the brink of the cliffs edge – 100 metres above the ocean. Enjoy refreshments whilst you enjoy watching the gannets perform around you. *Please wear comfortable walking shoes. The gannets reside at Cape Kidnappers from September until April or May.

13:00 Approx. Private vehicle transfer back to The Lodge at Craggy Range

Self-drive to Huka Lodge *2hrs 20mins

Overnight Huka Lodge: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 5 Lake Taupo

Self-drive to Rotorua *1hr and get ready for you Tarawera Falls Guided Hike *4hrs 30mins *Please note total hiking time is approx. 2hrs 30mins

Meet your local guide for your transfers by road and water taxi to enjoy your guided hike to Tarawera Falls. The hike to the Tarawera Falls is an easy hike. Start by following the Tarawera river at its source. Tuis, tomtits, fantails and kereru are the native birds found in this area.

You will also have the opportunity to learn more about contemporary Maori culture and your guide will touch on the history, stories and legends of the people of this region – the people of the Te Arawa canoe. Along the way your guide will talk about some of the flora and fauna of the river hike and the way in which these relate back to Maori perspectives and their connection to the natural world.

The river eventually heads underground and then surges as a 65 metre waterfall from fissures in a large rock cliff face that was formed 11000 years ago as an abrupt end of an ancient lava flow. There are also swimming holes on the way. *Please wear sturdy walking shoes or boots, warm clothing and a waterproof jacket. We recommend bringing a water bottle, sunscreen and insect repellent.

On conclusion of the excursion you will be transferred by private vehicle back to your rental vehicle in Rotorua.

Self-drive to Huka Lodge *1hr

Suggested Accommodation: Huka Lodge

Day 6 Taupo

Morning options:

Enjoy Tandem Skydiving. Vehicle transfer to the start of the activity plus Tandem skydiving experience – 4 hours

Experience the ultimate adrenaline rush of Tandem Skydiving high above the spectacular scenery of Lake Taupo. Harnessed to an experienced qualified jump master by space age materials you step out the aircraft at 15000 ft into thin air and for some 65 seconds you plummet towards the ground at 200km/h. Expect sensory overload as your mind, body and soul fight against every natural self-preservatory urge. *Please wear warm layers and flat closed-toed shoes. Includes free fall HD video and photos.

Guided cycling through the vineyards.

Afternoon options

1. Kayaking on Lake Taupo: There are a wide range of kayaking options in Taupo from a gorgeous Waikato River Float trip (approx. 2 hours) or head out on Lake Taupo where you have the opportunity to visit the Maori Rock Carvings (approx. 4 hours).
2. Redwoods Forrest Tree Walk: This walk is over half a kilometer long walkway that consists of a series of 21 suspension bridges traversing the gaps between 22 majestic 110 year old Redwood trees. The bridge sections gradually incline from 6m in height to a stunning 12m at its peak. Feel the spirit of Rotorua’s iconic Redwood Forest from above and up close amongst these old gentle giants. This suspended 30-minute ecological walk provides a unique bird’s eye perspective of the forest, capturing its picturesque beauty and ambiance which is even more stunning in wet weather. *Please note this is a drive of approx. 1hr from Huka Lodge.
3. Guided Hike in Taupo: Enjoy one of many wonderful hikes around the area. Hike through beautiful native forests with views across lakes and towards the mountains.
4. Huka Falls: Visit the mighty Huka Falls where more than 220,000 litres of water tumbles over a cliff face every second!

Day 7 Auckland

Fly from Taupo Airport to Auckland Airport Domestic Terminal. From here it is an easy taxi ride (or we can arrange a private transfer to your hotel).

Options:

• Auckland Sky Tower: At 328 metres Sky Tower is the tallest tower in the Southern Hemisphere, offering breath-taking views for more than 80 kilometres in every direction. Travel up the glass-fronted lifts to one of the three spectacular viewing platforms.
• Enjoy a two hour America’s Cup Sailing Excursion. Board your America’s Cup Class yacht, built for the 1995 America’s Cup in San Diego. No experience is necessary – either sit back and enjoy the ride, take to the helm, or exert energy on the grinders. This is a unique opportunity to get behind a grand prix racing machine. *Please note this trip requires 7 pax to operate. Please wear a light jacket and flat soled shoes. Life-jackets will be supplied and in In wet weather rain jackets will be provided.
• Visit Wynyard Quarter: Visit Wynyard Quarter on Auckland Waterfront. A recently revitalised area in the heart of Auckland’s waterfront offering a number of bars and dining options. For food lovers, a visit to the Auckland Fish Market is a must where you can enjoy fish & chips or take a class at the Auckland Seafood School.
• Auckland Museum: Auckland Museum is regarded as one of the finest museums in the Southern Hemisphere and is renowned for its unique collection of Maori and Pacific treasures. It is also a war memorial for the Auckland province. Housed in one of the country’s finest heritage buildings, the Museum tells the story of New Zealand as a nation; from award-winning natural history exhibits to galleries, which investigate New Zealand cultural origins. Scars on the Heart, the Museum’s war memorial exhibition, tells the story of New Zealand at war, while He Taonga Maori – the Museums Maori treasures gallery, displays over 2000 priceless Maori artefacts, including rare carvings and the last great Maori war canoe carved from a giant Totara tree.

Overnight Auckland . Suggested Accommodations: Hilton, Sofitel, Azure Lodge

Day 8, Auckland

Full day:

Make your way to the Auckland Ferry Terminal to Waiheke Island *40mins. Our guide will meet you as you get off the ferry for a unique 4 hour Wine and Art Tour. Known as the jewel of Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf for its beauty and tranquility, Waiheke Island offers award-winning wines, olive oils, plump oysters straight from the sea, hand-made specialty foods and many delightful cafés and restaurants. A ‘small is beautiful’ philosophy yields low quantities of extremely high quality fruit for amazing wines. Today your knowledgeable local guide will take you to some of the Island’s highly regarded vineyards, where you can taste their fine wines and learn about this unique region. There are also artist’s studios to explore, sculpture gardens, a scenic coastal walk, a beach excursion or an exciting zipline ride over lush native bush! The day will be designed to suit you. *Please pay direct for lunch and zip lining if of interest.

Evening at leisure.

Day 9, All good things come to an end.

Our driver will pick you up for a private transfer to the international airport. Let us help you plan your return home where ever that may be or onward to another destination.

Want to know more? Need to know more? Contact us at info@eviactive.com. These customized trips are priced upon request and use top properties. One group departure is schedule for November 2019.