Whale Island

  DAY 1: Adrian Worsley Art Gallery
We travel to Te Aroha to meet Adrian Worsley in his Art Gallery full of commissioned artworks made from discarded steel items ... 'one man's trash is another man's treasure'. The local RSA puts on a beautiful Lunch for us , till we move onto Whakatane to be spoilt for Dinner at the Whakatane Sports Fish Club. Two nights Awa Motel, Whakatane.

  DAY 2: Whale Island Guided Walk
Today is all about Moutohora/Whale Island Sanctuary, one of NZs little-known treasures and home to a number of our rare and endangered plants, birds and reptiles, many of which are seldom seen on the mainland. A 15-minute comfortable catamaran cruise before approximately 3 hours ashore including a 90-minute informative fully-guided walking tour learning about the island's unique flora and fauna. A chance for us to see NZ Dotterel, boisterous North Island Saddleback, North Island Brown Kiwi, Tuatara and the NZ Fur Seal. We enjoy our picnic lunch at the geothermal hot springs beach (bring your togs!). Dinner at Whakatane Sports Fish Club.

  DAY 3: Katikati and Paeroa
We head home with a comfort stop at Katikati, through the Karangahake Gorge, with a Lunch stop in Paeroa (the second hand/antiques shop mecca!). We arrive Auckland late afternoon.