New Zealand

Volcanic action, Maori culture, lakes and adventure.

GEYSERLAND EXPERIENCE 4 day/3 night Tour Code=RC02

Of all the regions in New Zealand, the Central North Island is perhaps the most diverse. From active volcanoes to luxurious hillsides of grapevines, rolling surf to high altitude ski fields, beautiful orchards to mysterious native forest.

Around Rotorua and Lake Taupo there are highly unique lodges tucked alongside river banks and lakes - all offer an outstanding level of hospitality. If you've never cast a line for trout before, maybe now's the time to learn?

The Pacific Coast Highway is one of the region's two major touring routes. It wanders around the East Coast, allowing you to sample the fabulous beaches of the Coromandel, Bay of Plenty and Eastland on your way to the Art Deco city of Napier—be sure to explore the wineries of the Hawke's Bay.

The Thermal Explorer is the other major touring route. It leads you to or from Hawke's Bay across the volcanic plateau, where the fiery past and present of the region will be obvious almost wherever you go - sometimes a natural hot spring spa, other times a geothermal park full of geysers and boiling mud pools. In Rotorua you can get in touch with the original spirit of New Zealand, and experience Maori culture.
Beneath the Waitomo area, the ground is a labyrinth of limestone passages and caves. Explore them on foot or squeeze into a wetsuit and drift through in the water - an activity known as black water rafting. The Tongariro Crossing is another kind of adventure - considered New Zealand's finest one day walk. You'll encounter moonscape craters, lava formations and emerald-blue lakes.

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