East Cape of New Zealand Self Drive Tour
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EAST CAPE OF NEW ZEALAND SELF DRIVE TOUR Take yourself on a drive around the isolated and rugged East Cape. Drive from one location to the next in ease as all tours, activities and accommodation have been organised for you by Wild Earth Travel. Fly into Tauranga, collect your vehicle and driving between locations and time within the small towns of Mount Maunganui, Whakatane, Gisborne, Lake Waikaremoana and Napier! Please Note: This is a tailormade trip and dates are an indication of when you can depart. Please contact Wild Earth Travel with your preferred travel dates. ITINERARY DAY 1: Tauranga Arrive in Tauranga and pick up your rental car (any time – price based on 10am). Check in to the Oceanside Resort & Twin Towers. Tonight you will enjoy your first activity an evening glow worm kayak tour. You will start nestled among the trees at Lake McLaren Falls Park with fine New Zealand wines and delicious cheeses while watching the sunset. At dusk you will be led into the calm waters to discover the magic of the enchanting glow worm canyon. Kayak up a narrow, high-sided canyon at the head of the lake to see thousands of glow worms. The tour is led by a professional guide providing a fascinating and informative brief about the life cycle and peculiarities of the New Zealand fungus gnat. DAY 2: Tauranga to Whakatane 01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com Check out of your accommodation this morning and make your to see the historic East Cape lighthouse which stands at 154 way to the Tauranga waterfront jetty to board the Bay Explorer at metres above sea level and is accessed by walking along the 9am for a half day Dolphin and Wildlife Cruise. Enjoy exploring track. After this, drive 2 hours 30 minutes from the East Cape the pristine Bay of Plenty coastline and islands, where you will Lighthouse to the beautiful Tolaga Bay, make sure to stop in see an amazing diversity of marine wildlife – dolphins, seasonal and see St Mary’s Church in Tikitiki on the way as it is one of seabirds, penguins, seals, whales, sunfish, school fish, sharks, the most ornate Maori churches in New Zealand. On arrival in orca and even maybe turtles! You will return to Tauranga by Tolaga Bay enjoy walking the length of New Zealand’s 2nd 2pm. Before you make your way to Whakatane we recommend longest wharf, a 660m long pier built in the 1920s. Nearby is a walk up Mount Maunganui. Approximately 40 minutes when the Cooks Cove Walkway, the spot where Captain James Cook following the Mauao Summit Walk. Your drive to Whakatane is anchored the HMS Endeavour to repair and restock the ship in approximately 1 hour 15 minutes, check into the White Island 1769. This walk takes around 2 hours 30 minutes to complete. Rendezvous. From Tolaga it is a one hour drive to Gisborne to check in to your accommodation at the Knapdale Eco Lodge. DAY 3: Whakatane Start the day discovering the rare beauty of one of New DAY 5: Site seeing around Gisborne Zealand’s little-known treasures - Moutohorā/Whale Island. You Another early morning as you drive 2 hours to see Maunga will board your water taxi at approximately 10am for a 15 Hikurangi. You will meet your Ngati Porou kaitiaki (guide) in minute journey to the island. On arrival you will enjoy a 4 hour Ruatoria to make your way to the base of Maunga Hikurangi. guided tour of one of New Zealand’s most protected wildlife From here, you will be transported by 4WD to the place where sanctuaries. Keep an eye out for the threatened New Zealand nine large pou (Maori carvings) are situated and where you will dotterel, the North Island saddleback, Tuatara, re-crowned watch the sun rise enjoying spectacular views of the surrounding parakeet as your journey through the regenerated native bush mountains, valets and sunrise. This experience allows you to before you dig yourself a soothing geothermal spring pool at immerse in the nature and culture of the Ngati Porou people. Onepu Bay. Each ticket price includes a landing fee supporting This tour is approximately 4 hours. After the completion of this the Department of Conservation’s work on the island and a tour drive 40 minutes from Ruatoria to Tokomaru Bay, a small contribution to support the Whakatane coastguard. Once back beachside community with great fishing and surfing. If you enjoy in Whakatane approximately 2pm spend the rest of your day fresh, simple and tasty food stop at the Te Puka Tavern for exploring one of the many tracks and walks in the area. brunch and beautiful views, or head to the famous Café 35 to try the legendary paua pies. Drive 1 hour from Tokomaru Bay to DAY 4: Whakatane to Gisborne Dive Tatapouri where you are booked in for a reef ecology tour. Check out of your accommodation by 9am to be on the road for This is one of the most popular things to do within the region, a big day of sightseeing! You will drive 3 hours 45 minutes from famous for its interaction with wild stingrays. With Whakatane to the most easterly point on mainland New Zealand 01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com knowledgeable guides you will walk across the reef to meet the trees. Talk to us for walking recommendations or visit the Te residents of the reef including short tail stingrays and eagle Urewera Visitor Centre. After enjoying your time at Lake rays. Return to Gisborne (a 30 minute drive) to spend the rest Waikaremoana drive 3 hors to Napier to check in to the Art of the day relaxing or enjoying a few of the local walks or the Deco Masonic Hotel located on the waterfront with panoramic beach. views of the Pacific Ocean. DAY 6: Gisborne Railbike Adventure and Morere Hot Springs DAY 8: Napier Check out after breakfast and drive 25 minutes to the Gisborne After breakfast, check out of your hotel and drop your car off at Railbike Adventure to experience a unique morning bike tour. the Napier Airport before 10am. You will enjoy a 7km ride through a bush-clad valley which slowly narrows to the entrance of Tunnel 26. Switch on your Please Note: lights and start cycling the 1.4km long tunnel. Once through the Itineraries are subject to change. tunnel, it is another kilometre along the flat until you come to the panoramic views out over the Pacific Ocean only 140 metres below. Enjoy lunch (not provided) before heading back along the rails. Drive 30 minutes from the Gisborne Railbike Adventure to the Morere Hot Springs Lodge where you will check in for the night. There are a number of walking tracks to do within this region or enjoy taking a night-time walk through the woods to see glow-worms, young native trout, long finned eels and fresh water crayfish. DAY 7: Lake Waikaremoana and Napier Drive to Wairoa and enjoy brunch at one of the many cafés. Then continue on for another 30 minutes to the Te Reinga Falls Scenic Reserve. The falls offer a spectacular site, they are fed by the Hangaroa and Ruakituri Rivers that merge just above. From here, you will continue on and see some amazing views over rolling hills, farmland and grazing animals. Ohuka Road will take you back to State Highway 38 where you will continue to Lake Waikaremoana (1 hour 45 minutes from Te Reinga). There are a number of great walks to complete at Lake Waikaremoana including many waterfalls and New Zealander’s largest rata 01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com YOUR SHIP: EAST CAPE SELF DRIVE ACCOMMODATION East Cape Self Drive Towers has everything that you need in one easy location. Relax YOUR SHIP: Accommodation on your own private balcony or patio, wander down to the beach, or take advantage of our on-site pools, gym, and spa. VESSEL TYPE: ## White Island Rendezvous LENGTH: Nestled between the Whakatāne River and a Pōhutukawa tree PASSENGER CAPACITY: lined escarpment lies White Island Rendezvous. Whether you're travelling for leisure or in Whakatāne on business, our 4.5 star BUILT/REFURBISHED: motel accommodation has a room type to suit every traveller. A quiet location yet only minutes walk from Whakatāne's boutique shopping and numerous restaurants. ## Oceanside Resort & Twin Towers White Island Rendezvous is the only motel accommodation in Welcome to Oceanside Resort & Twin Towers. Stay with us and Whakatāne to boast its own onsite cafe \- a favourite amongst enjoy our beachfront accommodation in the centre of beautiful locals. Let our barista make you the perfect coffee to go with Mount Maunganui. your gourmet breakfast. Choose to have it delivered to your Situated at the foot of Mount Maunganui overlooking golden room or enjoy in the atmosphere of the cafe. sandy beaches, Oceanside Resort & Twin Tower's prime location ## Knapdale Eco Lodge puts you at the heart of this bustling seaside town. Our enviable Welcome to Knapdale Eco Lodge - a tranquil paradise only 10 address on Maunganui Road gives you access to so much to minutes from Gisborne airport. see and do, yet still provides you with the tranquil escape that At our luxurious hide-a-way you can take a leisurely stroll you dream of having on your holiday. around the lake through our well tracked forest, feed the Experience the best the area has to offer, all without having to animals or pick oranges for your breakfast juice.