Sunday
Join us on this journey of exploration to some of the North Island’s most remote corners. Our 22-seater coach is just the right size for the small comfortable accommodations en route, and able to navigate the seldom travelled scenic roads right around the East Cape.
Sunday - Matamata for lunch and then over the Kaimai Ranges to the Bay of Plenty. We explore Mt Maunganui overnight Trinity Wharf Hotel, Tauranga.
Monday
Whakatane, Ohope Beach, Ohiwa Harbour and Beach, Opotiki (what a surprise when you see our lunch venue) and cross the Motu River. Great coastal scenery en route to overnight Te Kaha Beach Resort (the surprises keep on coming!).
Tuesday
Raukokore Church (which everyone should recognise), stunning views to Waihau Bay (where Boy was filmed), Whangaparaoa (the other one), then pass Cape Runaway. Drive through Potaka and detour down to Lottin Point before arriving Hicks Bay and Te Araroa. Today we stop at East Cape Manuka (a highlight of the tour!), then drive out to the lonely East Cape lighthouse standing sentinel over the passage between the Cape and East Island overnight Hicks Bay Motel.
Wednesday
Tikitiki Church (fascinating interior), Mt Hikurangi, Ruatoria, Te Puia Springs, Tokomaru and Tolaga Bays (picnic lunch on the longest wharf), and Whangara Bay, where Whale Rider was filmed, to Gisborne “First City of the Sun”. Gisborne Sights include Cooks Landing, Kaiti Hill, Port, Princess Diana’s tree, Waikanae Beach overnight Emerald Hotel, Gisborne.
Thursday
We start with a tour of Eastwoodhill Arboretum (perfect timing for Autumn colours) and then travel Gisborne to Whakatane via the dramatic Waioeka Gorge carved by rivers through steep forested hills. We stop at Rere Falls and Rere Rockslide (both of these natural beauties are quite unbelievable), Matawai, Wairata, Goldsmiths, Oponae and Tauranga Bridge overnight Rendezvous Motel, Whakatane.
Friday
We begin today with a Guided Tour of Te Puke’s Kiwifruit Country. Learn about growing, harvesting and promoting this iconic NZ fruit. We stop at Katikati for lunch and return to Auckland via the Karangahake Gorge.
Contact SHIP n SHORE Tours for a Detailed Itinerary.
Join us on this journey of exploration to some of the North Island’s most remote corners. Our 22-seater coach is just the right size for the small comfortable accommodations en route, and able to navigate the seldom travelled scenic roads right around the East Cape.
Sunday - Matamata for lunch and then over the Kaimai Ranges to the Bay of Plenty. We explore Mt Maunganui overnight Trinity Wharf Hotel, Tauranga. Monday – Whakatane, Ohope Beach, Ohiwa Harbour and Beach, Opotiki (what a surprise when you see our lunch venue) and cross the Motu River. Great coastal scenery en route to overnight Te Kaha Beach Resort (the surprises keep on coming!).
Tuesday – Raukokore Church (which everyone should recognise), stunning views to Waihau Bay (where Boy was filmed), Whangaparaoa (the other one), then pass Cape Runaway. Drive through Potaka and detour down to Lottin Point before arriving Hicks Bay and Te Araroa. Today we stop at East Cape Manuka (a highlight of the tour!), then drive out to the lonely East Cape lighthouse standing sentinel over the passage between the Cape and East Island overnight Hicks Bay Motel. Wednesday – Tikitiki Church (fascinating interior), Mt Hikurangi, Ruatoria, Te Puia Springs, Tokomaru and Tolaga Bays (picnic lunch on the longest wharf), and Whangara Bay, where Whale Rider was filmed, to Gisborne “First City of the Sun”. Gisborne Sights include Cooks Landing, Kaiti Hill, Port, Princess Diana’s tree, Waikanae Beach overnight Emerald Hotel, Gisborne. Thursday – We start with a tour of Eastwoodhill Arboretum (perfect timing for Autumn colours) and then travel Gisborne to Whakatane via the dramatic Waioeka Gorge carved by rivers through steep forested hills. We stop at Rere Falls and Rere Rockslide (both of these natural beauties are quite unbelievable), Matawai, Wairata, Goldsmiths, Oponae and Tauranga Bridge overnight Rendezvous Motel, Whakatane. Friday – We begin today with a Guided Tour of Te Puke’s Kiwifruit Country. Learn about growing, harvesting and promoting this iconic NZ fruit. We stop at Katikati for lunch and return to Auckland via the Karangahake Gorge.
