Valid for stays up to and including 30th September 2021.
Includes:
- Six-day car rental hire from Gisborne to Rotorua with unlimited km and standard insurance
- Two-night accommodation at Portside Hotel, Gisborne
- Guided tour of the Eastwoodhill Arboretum, Gisborne
- Reef Ecology Tour, Gisborne
- One-night accommodation at Nga Puriri B&B Cottage, Hicks Bay
- One-night accommodation at Trinity Wharf Tauranga
- Glow Worm Evening Kayak Tour, Tauranga
- One-night accommodation at Rotorua Views B&B
- Redwoods Tree Walk by Night
- Meals as indicated on itinerary (B for Breakfast)
Itinerary:
Day 1: Gisborne
Gisborne is the first city in NZ to see the sunrise every morning. The region is renowned for its food, wine, beautiful surf beaches, but also its strong Maori heritage. If you’re interested in this culture, Gisborne is an ideal basecamp to immerse in Maori traditions and history.
Accommodation at Portside Hotel, Gisborne
Day 2: Gisborne
Included: Reef Ecology Tour
This two-hour activity for all ages is perfect for anyone who is interested in underwater life. You will observe "Nga Tamariki" which means "The Gods of the Sea" in Maori.
Your guide will take you on a reefs tour when the tide is low and you will observe the sea animals of Tatapouri and even feed the wild rays in hand. The animals you should see are: short-tailed rays, eagle rays, yellowtail cats, caragues, Kahawai, crayfish, octopus and eels. Do not forget your Go pro or water-resistant camera to make beautiful pictures and immortalize those moments.
Included: Guided Eastwoodhill Arboretum Tour with the Curator, duration one houre
Created in 1910 by Douglas Cook, Eastwoodhill is NZ’s National Arboretum.
This 135-hectare park showcases the largest collection of Southern Hemisphere’s trees, it is home to over 25 000 types of trees, shrubs and climbing plants. Discover this incredible sanctuary by foot thanks to several well-marked tracks. You can walk from 1 hour to half a day depending on the tracks you choose. You’ll be given a map to create your own itinerary. Eastwoodhills can be visited all year round.
Accommodation at Portside Hotel, Gisborne
Day 3: Gisborne – Hicks Bay
Head north following SH35 along the East Cape.
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS:
- TOLOGA BAY, where you will find the longest wharf in the Southern Hemisphere.
- TOKOMARU BAY, historic small village, perfect location for a lunch.
- MOUNT HIKURANGI, Highest (non-volcanic) point of North Island, Hikurangi is a sacred mountain for the Ngati Porou people. One thousand meters above sea level stands nine carved sculptured that you can see with a Maori guide.
- EAST CAPE LIGHTHOUSE, the road to drive there is really picturesque. The historic East Cape lighthouse stands 154 meters above sea level. Allow 20 good minutes to climb up the 700 steps and access the breathtaking view on top.
- TE ARAROA, closest village from East Cape lighthouse, don’t miss Te Waha O Rerekohu the oldest and largest Pohutukawa of New Zealand.
Accommodation at Nga Puriri B&B, Cottage, Hicks Bay
Day 4: Hicks Bay – Tauranga (B)
From Hicks Bay head west on SH35 towards Opotiki. From Opotiki follow SH2 for approx. 15 min and turn right on Pacific Coast Highway towards Whakatane. Follow Pacific Coast Highway from Whakatane and connect with SH2 in Matata toward Tauranga.
Included: Glow-worm Evening Kayak Tour
Magical, Enchanting, Surreal, Amazing!
If any of the above words described the activity you are looking for, then the Glow Worm Kayak Tour is for you.
This is a truly unique experience; the tour is great fun with great refreshments, beautiful scenery, fantastic birdlife and awesome glow worms.
Enjoy wine from the award-winning Mills Reef winery, delicate New Zealand cheeses and refreshments on the edge of Lake McLaren. Your guides will prepare and brief you on how to kayak effectively before launching you onto picturesque Lake McLaren at twilight to paddle to the mysterious glow worm canyon.
The glow worms are located in a narrow, high-sided canyon at the top of the lake, not in a cave, so your tour only departs once a day before sunset so by the time you get to the glow worm canyon it’s completely dark, as required to see the glow worms to the best effect.
Paddling a kayak may be something you have tried before, but you probably haven’t kayaked at night (head-torches provided ) and certainly not have kayaked in the dark to see constellations of glow worms. It is a fully guided kayak tour, with professional guides leading and providing fascinating & informative brief about the life cycle and peculiarities of the New Zealand fungus gnat (glow worms). duration 03:30 hrs.
Accommodation at Trinity Wharf, Tauranga
Day 5: Tauranga – Rotorua (B)
From Tauranga follow SH29 (Takitimu Drive) and connect with SH36 south to Rotorua. Please note that Takitimu Drive is a toll road, the toll is payable online.
Included: Redwoods treewalk by Night
The night-time experience offers the opportunity to explore Rotorua’s majestic Redwood forest under the shroud of darkness. 30 lanterns, over 40 infinite colour spots and feature lights illuminate the 115-year-old redwood trees, forest ferns and pungas and create an immersive and captivating environment. duration 02:15 hrs
Accommodation at Rotorua Views B&B
Day 5: Tauranga – Rotorua (B)
Drop off your car at the airport by 4.30pm
End of arrangements.
Conditions
Valid from Mar 25, 2021
Expires Sep 30, 2021
Limit: 4 per user and 2 as gift for others
Sooo Long Summer promotion: Register and purchase any deal on site to be in the draw to win your share of our prize pool worth over $10,000! T's & C's apply:
https://newblog.grabone.co.nz/sooo-long-summer-promo/ Bookings essential within 5 days of purchase or by 30th August 2021, whichever comes first. Subject to availability. Valid for stays up to and including 30th September 2021. Not valid public holidays. Must be used in 1 visit. Cannot combine coupons to lengthen stay. Deal valid for one person on a twin share basis i.e. two vouchers must be purchased at this price. Single supplement fee of $1775 applies for solo travellers. Maximum room occupancy is two people. Minimum age for car hire is 25yrs. Full licence required. Includes Six-day car rental hire from Gisborne to Rotorua with unlimited km and standard insurance, Two-night accommodation at Portside Hotel, Gisborne, Guided tour of the Eastwoodhill Arboretum, Gisborne, Reef Ecology Tour, Gisborne, One-night accommodation at Nga Puriri B&B Cottage, Hicks Bay, One-night accommodation at Trinity Wharf Tauranga, Glow Worm Evening Kayak Tour, Tauranga, One-night accommodation at Rotorua Views B&B, Redwoods Tree Walk by Night and Meals as indicated on itinerary (B for Breakfast). Book with confidence, Inspired Escapes are TAANZ bonded under Fuzion World Travellers. Once booked, package is non changeable and non refundable. Value of deal is based on current rates, which are subject to change. While stocks last. No refunds unless required by law. No cashback. Not to be used with other offers.
See the rules that apply to all deals.
