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Wild Waikato & the Hawke's Bay
Experience North Island's wild Waikato region - home to the beautiful coasts of the Coromandel Peninsula, the geological wonders of Taupo and experience some of the most amazing landscapes in New Zealand before sampling the finest wines and gastronomy of Hawke's Bay.
HIGHLIGHTS
Experience stunning landscapes of the Waikato region
Enjoy the finest wines and gastronomy of North Island
Stay in exceptional boutique lodges
ITINERARY
DAY 1: ARRIVE AUCKLAND / THE COROMANDEL
Arrive into Auckland Intl Airport and continue on a scenic drive along the Pacific Coast Highway and along the Seabird Coast to visit the Miranda Shoreline Centre where you have the opportunity to witness migratory bird species (in season) that call this area home. The drive then continues towards Coromandel Town to admire spectacular scenery across the Pacific Ocean to Auckland's eastern shores. We then arrive into Whangamata where you will be welcomed by your hosts at the exquisite Bushland Park Lodge where you will spend the next 2 nights savouring to exceptional cuisines prepared by your private chef using prime New Zealand ingredients with a touch of German concepts paired with a fine selection of exquisite wine.
Overnight: Bushland Park Lodge, The Coromandel
Meals: Dinner
DAY 2: THE COROMANDEL
Today, embark on an exploration of the eastern side of the Coromandel Peninsula starting with a visit to Whitianga - the main settlement of the Coromandel and noted for its historical significance in pre and post European times. We hop onto a boat to visit the Te Whanganui a Hei Cathedral Cove, one of the most amazing natural landmark with jaw-dropping beauty. Not far away is the Hot Water Beach where during low tides, you can enjoy the hot water bubbling through the sands, dig your own spa pool and relax in the natural hot springs. Thereafter, we head to Coromandel Town where you can enjoy a ride at Driving Creek Railway, on a narrow gauge train through regenerating forests to an incredible panorama of the area before returning to the Bushland Park Lodge where you will return to savour another evening of exceptional gastronomy.
Overnight: Bushland Park Lodge, The Coromandel
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 3: THE COROMANDEL / LAKE TAUPO
We say farewell to your hosts at the Bushland Park Lodge and then hop onto your private helicopter for a scenic flight over the mountain range past Rotorua to Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand where you will arrive at the mesmerizing Huka Lodge, nestled along the banks of the magnificent Waikato River, upstream from the mighty Huka Falls where you can enjoy a brisk walk from the lodge to take in the sights of one of the greatest falls of New Zealand. This evening, tuck into the amazing cuisines prepared by Executive Chef, Paul Froggatt - one of New Zealand's most exquisite gastronomy experiences.
Overnight: Huka Lodge, Lake Taupo
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 4: LAKE TAUPO ( TONGARIRO ALPINE CROSSING)
An amazing day beckons where with your private guide, embark on a hike to experience one of the greatest day hike in New Zealand. This 7-9 hour hike in the Tongariro World Heritage Park will take you past some of the most volcanically active and scenic spots in the area. The track winds up in the Mangatepopo Valley to the saddle between Mount Tongariro and Mount Ngauruhoe before climbing up to the Red Crater and dropping down to the vivid Emerald Lakes. After passing the Blue Lake, the track cuts around the northern slope of Mount Tongariro and descends in a zigzag to the Ketetahi hut.
Overnight: Huka Lodge, Lake Taupo
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 5: LAKE TAUPO / HAWKE'S BAY
Another amazing day as we leave behind the Huka Lodge and transport via private helicopter to the stunning Hawke's Bay region - undoubtedly New Zealand's wine country and home to a range of exceptional new world cabenet sauvignon, merlot and syrah. We arrive into The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, set atop 6,000 rolling acres of stunning pasture land with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy an orientation of the area including a visit to the Gannet Colony where thousands of these amazing migratory seabirds nest at Cape Kidnappers. Alternatively, enjoy a 4WD jeep tour that takes us along the beautiful coastline of the Hawke's Bay offering enviable views of the ocean.
Overnight: The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, Hawke's Bay
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6: HAWKE'S BAY
Our day begins with a morning visit to either the Black Barn's Grower's Market (every Sat in Summer) or the Hawke's Bay Farmers' Market (every Sun) where you will find an assortment of fresh organic produce straight from the producers for an insight into the ingredients that goes into preparing the fine cuisines of the region. Thereafter, we spend the day uncovering the secrets of the second-largest wine producing region of New Zealand where the first vines were planted in 1851 and is now home to over 100 vineyards and 80 wineries. Some of our finest selection of wine estates where we will enjoy tastings of premium wines such as the Black Barn Vineyards, a small and boutique estate that produces only 4,000 cases of wines a year and exquisite for their Bordeaux-styled reds. A visit too to the Craggy Range, an award-winning winery set at the foot of the Te Mata peaks provides an incredible setting of one of the best wineries not just in the Hawke's Bay region but possibly New Zealand where we enjoy a cellar visit and a wonderful lunch paired with its exquisite range of Pinot Gris and some of the remarkable reds at the Terroir Restaurant. On return to the Farm at Cape Kidnappers, recommended is a visit to the renowned Elephant Hill Estate & Winery which overlooks the Te Awanga coastline in an enviable setting close to the sea.
Overnight: The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, Hawke's Bay
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
DAY 7: HAWKE'S BAY / NAPIER
Our journey comes to an end where you will be transferred to Napier Hawke's Bay Airport for your onward journey to Auckland, Christchurch or perhaps continue your wine adventures to Wellington where you can visit the Wairarapa wine region or to Blenheim in South Island for an extensive coverage of Marlborough's wine region. (Direct flights from Napier to Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Blenheim).
Meals: Breakfast
HOTELS
Ambience, personality and character of the Bushland Park Lodge sets the stage for sharing culinary passion in luxuriously silent 5 acres of bush park setting combined with the Coromandel Peninsula's understated beauty while enjoying a comfortable and homely stay in one of New Zealand's finest lodge.
On the banks of the Waikato River, located just upstream from the mighty Huka Falls, the Huka Lodge is a place of unrivalled beauty enjoying a gentle climate, a leisurely pace and a spectacular landscape of snow-capped volcanic mountain peaks, wild tussock, lush wilderness and clear blue lakes and streams. Enjoy a refined stay in one of New Zealand's most extraordinary lodges.
Set atop 6,000 rolling acres of stunning pasture land in Hawke's Bay, the Farm at Cape Kidnappers enjoys a privileged location and setting to immerse in New Zealand's second-largest wine producing region - home to over 100 vineyards and more than 80 wine estates, spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and one of the most stunning golf courses in the world.
