Experience the rich culture of Rotorua and its volcanic past and present with a trip by helicopter to Mt Tarawera.  Visit Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand and then the North Island's World Heritage agea of Tongariro National Park.  The tour finishes with a visit to the world-famous Waitomo Glow Worm Caves and Aranui Cave before heading back to Auckland.

Day 1:  Arrive in Auckland
On arrival you will be met by a private driver and transferred to your Auckland accommodation.  A detailed tour pack containing everything you need for the duration of your stay will be handed to you.
Accommodation:  Oaks Auckland Hotel

Day 2:  Auckland - Rotorua
Collect your rental car and drive south into rich dairy pastures of the Waikato.  You'll go through the town of Matamata where you can visit the fully intact Hobbiton film set used in the shooting of the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies.  Continuing on, you'll pass several small farming communities before telltale signs of steam and other geothermal activity signal your arrival in Rotorua.  
Accommodation:  Silver Fern Suites & Spa x 2 nights
Meals included: Speciality Dinner

Day 3:  Explore Rotorua
Spike your adrenaline at Velocity Valley Adventure Park on stomach-dropping attractions such as statis skydiving, or a giant swing reaching 130km per hour.  Alternatively head up the Rotorua Gondola for soaring lake views, and ride the luge at night for an extra thrill.  Make the most of your time in Rotorua with an excursion through the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, one of the area's most colourful volcanic attractions.

Day 4:  Rotorua - Taupo
Today drive through the heart of the Central North Island volcanic plateau.  Visit the geothermal regions Wai O Tapu Thermal Wonderland and Waimangu Volcanic Valley before arriving into the town of Taupo.  Just north of the town are the Huka Falls and a short detour to view is highly recommended, as is a visit to the nearby Craters of the Moon geothermal reserve.
Accommodation:  Anchorage Resort Lake Taupo

Day 5:   Taupo - Whakapapa Village
Following the lake edge the drive takes you to the township of Turangi.  Just on the main road south of the town is the National Trout Centre run by the Department of Conservation.  You can explore the process of hatching trout to stock New Zealand's rivers and lakes.  Continuing onto the high central plateau you drive what is commonly known as 'the desert road'.  Skirting Tongariro National Park, one of New Zealand's three world heritage sites, and clouds permitting, you can see the 2,500 metre peak of the still volcanically active Mt. Ruapehu.  A little further the military town of Waiouru also hosts the Army Museum, an incredible collection of New Zealand's military history and a memorial to its servicemen.
Accommodation:  Skotel Alpine Resort

Day 6:  Whakapapa Village - Waitomo
Head through National Park and across rich rolling farmland to the limestone regions of Waitomo and the famous Waitomo Caves complex.  Join a guided tour through a subterranean wonderland of limestone caves and grottos, and amazing stalactites and stalagmites.
Accommodation:  Palm Court Motel, Otorohanga

Day 7:  Waitomo - Auckland City
The lush farmland of the Waikato and the limestone hills of the Waitomo region provide some great scenery as you head north.  Visit the Otorohanga Kiwi House enroute for a great look at some of New Zealand's native birds,  in particular our famous flightless namesake.
Accommodation:  Oaks Auckland Hotel

Day 8:  Depart Auckland today
Explore more of vibrant Auckland city before dropping your rental car at the airport depot and continuing your onward journey. 

• Accommodation for 7 nights staying in Hotel 4 star
• Rental car hire: included as specified for the duration of the tour package
• Rental car insurance included: Fully inclusive with variable excess/deductible.
• Rental car inclusions: GPS navigation. unlimited kms,airport/ferry terminal fees, additional drivers.
• Tour pack: Includes detailed driving instructions, maps, guide books and much more.
• All breakfasts
• Private airport transfers
• Mitai Maori Village Concert & Buffet Dinner, Rotorua
• Waitomo Glow Worm and Aranui Caves
• Huka Falls Jet Boat Tour, Taupo