Transport
Accommodation
Students: Triple of Quad share with ensuite facilities
Teachers: 2 rooms with ensuite facilities
Sightseeing and Entrances
All activities highlighted in the itinerary
Meals
Breakfast Lunch and dinner daily
Extra
NZET Educational Sightseeing Map
NZET Educational Information Pack
After an amazing conference transfer to Melbourne airport to connect with your flight to Auckland.
Meet your Tour Manager and Driver once you have proceeded through customs and transfer to your centrally located accommodation.
We have a home cooked dinner and a walk through the city before heading to bed for a good night's sleep in preparation for our days ahead.
Known as the City of Sails after its impressive city harbours, Auckland is New Zealand's largest and most diverse city. Auckland's impressive natural landscapes include numerous volcanic cones, native rainforest, dramatic black sand beaches or sheltered golden sand beaches, rolling hills and picturesque gardens. Shoppers can enjoy browsing top-end designer boutiques or open air street markets. There are a diverse range of cafes and restaurants offering award winning, worldwide cuisine and a buzzing nightlife in the central city
City Lodge's Auckland Accommodation is located in the heart of Auckland City, walking distance to the iconic Skytower and Auckland viaduct. Students stay in quad rooms with ensuite facilities, teachers have a choice of twin share or single room (at an extra cost) with ensuite facilities
A busy day ahead to make the most of New Zealand's largest city. Auckland sits on a field of extinct volcanoes and today our first stop is Auckland Museum where we learn about the geological aspects of the city in our guided tour.
Later this morning we head to the beach to enjoy a picnic lunch and some fun.in the sun.
Later we take a guided walking through the heart of the city where we learn all the about the development of the city and the area surrounding it.
Our last stop is the Skytower where we take a lift to the top for 360 degree views of the city. Dinner tonight s a sumptuous buffet within the Skytower complex.
Known as the City of Sails after its impressive city harbours, Auckland is New Zealand's largest and most diverse city. Auckland's impressive natural landscapes include numerous volcanic cones, native rainforest, dramatic black sand beaches or sheltered golden sand beaches, rolling hills and picturesque gardens. Shoppers can enjoy browsing top-end designer boutiques or open air street markets. There are a diverse range of cafes and restaurants offering award winning, worldwide cuisine and a buzzing nightlife in the central city
The Sky Tower has stood tall at 328 meters as an icon of Auckland's sky line for almost 20 years - with 360 degree views of Auckland city, a trip up the Sky Tower is a must.
Enjoy live carvery, freshly baked breads, Asian specialties, rotisserie chicken, glazed champagne ham and fantastic range of fresh salads and selection of desserts plus an extensive range of ice creams. Eat as much as you like.
The Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira is one of New Zealand's most important museums and war memorials. Its collections concentrate on New Zealand history, natural history, as well as military history. Today we have a guided tour of the Museum to learn about New Zealand's natural history and the unique geological features of this city.
Our local guide has all sorts of interesting facts, figures myths and legends about the city of Auckland. We enjoy a 90 minute walk around the city exploring places even the locals don't know about.
This morning we leave the big city and travel south through the rich Waikato Farmland to Waitomo (Maori for Water-Cave). We take a guided tour through the stunning glowworm caves finishing with a boat trip where it feels like we are sailing under the night sky.
From here to Middle Earth (or Matamata) - the home of Hobbiton . We spend nearly 2 hours walking through this amazing movie site and learn everything there is to know about the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies. From here it is a short hop to Rotorua New Zealand's geothermal capital.and home of Maori Culture.
Tonight we learn the famous Maori Haka.
Rotorua is a geothermal wonderland, famous for its boiling mud pools, spouting geysers, and natural hot springs for bathing and relaxing in. Rotorua is a popular tourist spot but has retained its small town charm and is a cultural centre for the indigenous Maori people.
Conveniently located in the heart of Rotorua’s accommodation district, the Four Canoes Hotel is just a short walk or 5 minute drive to Rotorua’s CBD and nearby to the shores of mystical Lake Rotorua. Easy access to the fantastic array of recreational and cultural activities in this world-renown geothermal wonderland.
Join the guided walking tour through an enchanted forest and learn about the native New Zealand landscape and flora. Enjoy the world-famous boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto in the Waitomo Glowworm Caves before venturing inside the hidden entrance to Aranui Cave. Here, your educational tour will continue as you discover some of Waitomo’s largest public stalactites, stunning rock formations and the infamous cave-dwelling weta colony.?
Join us and experience the real Middle-earth at the Hobbiton Movie Set, where, in the heart of the Waikato region, you can step into the lush pastures of the Shire, as seen in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. You will be fully guided around the 12 acre set; past Hobbit Holes, the Mill and into the world-famous Green Dragon Inn, where you will be presented with a complimentary, exclusive Hobbiton Southfarthing beverage to conclude your own Middle-earth adventure.
This morning we visit Te Puia geothermal village, our local guide will walk us through the park to explain the science behind the spouting geysers, bubbling mud pools and amazing colours in the landscape. Also learn about the effects of the Mount Tarawera eruption on the local iwi population. Following this we head to Rainbow Springs for a very special visit to the kiwi hatchery and a tour of the park..
Tonight we are in for a treat, we visit a Maori village and experience a powhiri (Maori welcome) followed by a walk around the village to learn some of the skills Maori used prior to the European arrived.. We finish the evening with a hangi dinner where the food is cooked in an earth oven,.
Rotorua is a geothermal wonderland, famous for its boiling mud pools, spouting geysers, and natural hot springs for bathing and relaxing in. Rotorua is a popular tourist spot but has retained its small town charm and is a cultural centre for the indigenous Maori people.
Come face to face with the famous Pohutu Geyser, see steaming hot pools, silica terraces and boiling mud. Watch master carvers and weavers at work, and hear the guides share stories passed down from their ancestors. Time also to see Kiwi's in the nocturnal kiwi house.
Journey to an authentic Maori village nestled in a Rotorua forest and be formally welcomed onto sacred grounds. Amidst crackling village fires, discover Maori art forms, take part in ancient rituals and learn fascinating Maori traditions. Let us share our impressive song and dance before enjoying a traditional feast, cooked beneath the ground on hot stones.
Set amongst the native trees and beautiful forests of Rotorua, you'll learn all about New Zealand’s fascinating natural history and meet the interesting creatures who call this great land of ours home. Plus take a behind the scenes look at the Kiwi Hatchery. Learn all about the efforts of the kiwi husbandry team, discover what it takes to hatch a chick... and if you're really lucky, see baby chicks in person!
We start the day with some fun by taking the gondola to the top of Ngongotaha hill then have 3 luge rides down.
We then travel onto the beautiful Coromandel where we walk to Cathedral Cove before soaking in the hot sands at Hot Water Beach.
Later we enjoy our last dinner in New Zealand and have some games and presentations.
Within two hours either side of low tide visitors flock to the usually deserted Hot Water Beach to find hot water bubbling through the golden sand. Families, kids and couples can be seen digging their own spa pool in the sand and relaxing in the natural springs. Often rated as one of the world's most renowned beaches - and a truly unique Kiwi experience.
Hot Water Beach TOP 10 is a family owned and operated Holiday Park, located just 700 metres from one of the top surf beaches on the stunning Coromandel Peninsula.
Jump on board the gondola and enjoy spectacular views over Rotorua seeing the city and steaming geothermal vistas. After enjoying the views nestle into a luge cart and zip down the hill. First up ride the Scenic track then try the intermediate and advanced tracks.
We have an early departure to connect with our flight home.
Haere Ra from Aotearoa New Zealand.