This morning we depart home and make our way down to Whakatane. Our first stop is at Waihi where we visit Spikes Bricks and Models - this is an incredible place to visit. If you never appreciated the complexity of Lego before, then after visiting Spikes you will be hooked. After our visit we then continue on to Omokoroa Boat Club where we enjoy lunch sitting over the water and looking out towards Matakana Island and Mt Maunganui. 

After lunch we continue on our way to Whakatane, we’ll stop for some amazing views across to White Island and then check in to our accommodation. Later,  we’ll enjoy a welcome beverage together and dine at a local restaurant. 

(Lunch, Dinner).

This morning we take a 2.5 hour rail tour along a piece of New Zealand’s rich rail history – we experience the natural beauty and adventure from the comfort of a rail cart. We start off at a leisurely pace from Awakeri, experiencing 4 bridges, numerous cuttings and bush scenes along the track. We stop for a hot cuppa and biscuits before feeding the farm animals followed by a short guided bush walk. 

We enjoy lunch back at Whakatane before arriving at the Te Kaha Beach Resort where every room has a stunning view of the ocean sunset. Enjoy a swim or simply relax. Tonight, we dine at a private residence while watching the sun sink down over the ocean.

(Breakfast, Dinner).

We farewell Te Kaha this morning as we drive around more of the stunning East Cape to Tolaga Bay Wharf – NZ’s longest wharf at 660 meters. Here, we enjoy lunch at the home of local farmers Bruce and Nicki. They take us on a 1 hour farm tour of their intensive sheep and beef farm where they also grow sweet corn, maize and have a citrus orchard. Later, we arrive in Gisborne for a further 3 nights stay.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Anchors away as we head out to sea on M.V. Takitimu! We’ll experience a relaxing 90 minute cruise on NZ’s oldest pilot vessel. We then visit the Tairawhiti Museum and enjoy their collection of exhibits, history, and decorative arts exhibitions. 

In the late afternoon we visit a historical homestead for an afternoon by the pool while our hosts share with us some beautifully produced local wines and a homecooked meal for dinner.

(Breakfast, Dinner).

Today, we explore Eastwoodhill Arboretum. Founded in 1910 it covers 131 acres and boasts the largest collection of trees in the Southern Hemisphere from the temperate climate zone of the Northern Hemisphere and includes 4,000 different trees, shrubs and climbers – including 170 species on the world endangered list. Don’t panic – we’ll be driven through this stunning Arboretum if you would prefer not to walk. Afterwards, we visit a local vineyard for lunch where we’ll enjoy a shared platter lunch and a well-deserved glass of vino! Dinner tonight will be at a local restaurant. 

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

This morning we pack our bags and check-out of our motel. We first visit Mahia Peninsula on the East Coast - a popular spot for surfing, fishing and diving. It’s also home to the Rocket Lab Launch complex on the southern tip of the peninsular – sorry travellers, no visitors allowed! We then visit Lake Waikaremoana. Lake Waikaremoana is the “gateway to Te Urewera”, a mountainous region of stunning views and rainforest, and home of the Tuhoe people. A local to the area will join us on this day trip and provide us with local knowledge and share with us their experiences of the very special place in New Zealand.

After visiting the Lake we continue on to Rotorua where we spend the evening. After a long day, we dine in-house.

(Breakfast, Dinner).

This morning we experience the thrill of riding in New Zealand’s only genuine operating WW2 landing craft. While in this vehicle, we visit visit three of Rotorua’s most stunning lakes and splashdown on two of them! 

When our duck is back in the City, we grab a quick bite for lunch before making our way back home and saying our final farewells. The team at Seemore Tours hope you have enjoyed your holiday where you see more, eat more and have more fun! 

(Breakfast).