East Cape

Wednesday 24 March

Today’s drive south is via Tirau brings you to Taupo for lunch. The Taupo to Napier highway is one of New Zealand’s interesting drives. Over the Turangakuma and Titiokuia ranges that once formed a formidable barrier to the early settlers. Arrive in Napier for a two night stay. A welcome dinner is at the hotel

Thursday 25 March

This morning enjoy a coach tour with a local guide, included is entry to the 1931 earthquake museum! Continue onto the Figgery at Te Mata Figs – figs are in season.  Lunch is at our favourite winery – Mission Estate. Established in 1851 by pioneering French Missionaries and the birth place of New Zealand Wine. Enjoy an included glass of wine, naturally!  Pop into Birdwood gallery and experience the authentic, individual, quirky range of art and objects.

Friday 26 March

Leave the Hawkes Bay and drive via Wairoa to Gisborne (Poverty Bay) for a two night stay. This afternoon a visit to Kati Bay and see the spot Captain Cook landed in 1769. Also visit Tairawhiti Museum for its Maori and Captain Cook displays. Dinner is included tonight.

Saturday 27 March

Today we head out of town to the world renowned Eastwoodhill National Arboretoum.  The autumn colours will be at their very best. Maples, liquid ambers, red and scarlet oaks, the deep butter yellow colour of the Persian Ironwood, Japanese maples and the blaze of orange, purple, bronze and red of the cherry trees, not forgetting the yellow of the Lombardy Poplars. Lunch is at the Arboretoun. 

Sunday 28 March

We leave for our tour around the Cape with our first stop at Tolaga Bay. Walk the renovated Tolaga Bay wharf - all 660metres!! Then another short drive to arrive at Te Puka Tavern for lunch stop overlooking the sea at Tokamaru Bay (a pub since 1573 and rebuilt in 1983 after Cyclone Bola). As the coach continues on past Te Puia Springs on 

a fine day you will see Mt Hikurangi (1,752 m (5,748 ft) the highest non-volcanic mountain in the North Island and arrive at Hicks Bay for an overnight stay.

Monday 29 March

Our sightseeing day starts with a coastal drive to visit New Zealand’s most easterly lighthouse. On our return a stop at Te Araroa with visits to St Marys church, built as a memorial to the soldiers of Ngati Porou who died in WW1 and the huge pohutakawa tree. This is followed with a visit to the East Cape Manuka Company’s honey and oil operations and then onto Te Kaha for an overnight stay. 

Tuesday 30 March

Set off this morning for Opotiki before heading inland to Taneatua and along bush clad shores of Lake Rotoma and Lake Rotoiti, arriving late morning at your lakeside hotel. This evening a farewell dinner.

Wednesday 31 March

After breakfast head away and return home by early afternoon.