This 10 day New Zealand itinerary showcases the best of the lower North Island.

Napier is a lovely sea side town and has a variety of beach front hotels and apartments. Located on beautiful Hawke's Bay , Napier, and nearby Hastings, were devastated by a massive eartquake in 1931, in which 258 people were killed. Approximately 40 square kilometres of today's Napier, was undersea before being raised by the quake.

Following the quake, the town was rebuilt in the Art Deco style of the era, and Napier is now recognised as one of the best examples of Art Deco architecture in the world.

There is plenty to see and do in Napier. Popular activities are:

* take a guided Art Deco tour of Napier

* Art deco weekend, held each year in February, is a festival of food, wine, music, vintage car displays, and all things art deco

* visit the many local wineries. Recognised as a producer of fine wines, Hawke's bay offers wine buffs a wide range of choice

* visit the National Aquarium of New Zealand, located on Marine Parade Napier

Day 3.

Today your New Zealand itinerary takes you from Napier to Taupo (2 hours drive).

Lake Taupo is New Zealand's largest lake, with a surface area of 616 square kilometres. It is also the largest freshwater lake (by surface area) in Oceania.

A noted trout fishery, the area is popular with anglers and boat owners. New Zealand's longest river, the mighty Waikato River flows from Lake Taupo.

Accommodation options abound in Taupo. Try for a lake view room if budget allows. There is nothing better than sitting on your balcony with a beer or glass of New Zealand wine, and gazing at this wonderful landscape.

There is plenty to see and do in the Taupo region. Here are some suggestions:

* trout fishing-as one of New Zealand's premier trout fishing destinations, Taupo also offers some of the best trout fishing in the world. Do it yourself, or better still, take a guided tour and learn from the experts. Catch your own dinner. What could be better!

* Craters of the Moon is a geothermal area offering steaming vents, and boiling mud,

* Huka Falls-although only 3 metres high, over 200,000 litres per second roar over the falls,

* For a real treat, the exclusive Huka Lodge overlooks Huka Falls.

Huka Lodge has been "home" to an endless stream of celebrities and royalty over the years, and offers guests an almost unrivalled hospitality experience. Exceptional service, superb accommodation, and fine cuisine using the best of local produce, make Huka Lodge one of the finest in the world,

* Tongariro Crossing, universally described as "the best one day walk in the world", offers spectacular scenery, dramatic volcanic landscapes and amazing vistas. Parts of the film Lord of the Rings were filmed here, and if you are feeling energetic, this could very well prove to be a highlight of your New Zealand itinerary,

Day 4.

Today your New Zealand itinerary takes you to New Zealand's premier thermal resort of Rotorua (1 hour drive).

Find your hotel and relax for the afternoon.

Day 5.

Today you are free to explore Rotorua . Rotorua is a bustling centre, famous for it's geo-thermal activity. Home to bubbling mud pools, geysers, sulphur crusted lakes, and an ever present smell of sulphur, Rotorua is a fascinating place, and a must see on your North Island trip.

Built on the shores of Lake Rotorua (at 80 square kilometres, the North Island's second largest lake), Rotorua is a beautiful town, best viewed from the Skyline Gondola, which transports visitors to the top of Mt Ngongotaha (487m).

There is lots to see & do in Rotorua, but always popular are:

* the luge at the top of Mt Ngongotaha. Three separate tracks wind their way down the hill side, and you will become addicted to the thrill provided by the small sit on carts. When you reach the bottom, a chairlift returns you to the top to do it all over again. Great fun, if a little expensive.

* Rotorua Museum of Art and History. Winner of numerous awards, the museum should be one of your first stops in Rotorua. The museum focuses on the history and culture of the area, in particular that of the local iwi (tribe), Te Arawa. The museum houses many artefacts, four original 1908 mud baths, a tribute to B Company of the 28th (Maori) Battalion who lost over 600 men in battles during World War 2, and a presentation on the Tarawera eruption of 1886.

* Te Puia. Visited by over half a million people each year, Te Puia combines Maori cultural experiences and geothermal action in one location. Music and dance shows, weaving and carving, including some large ornate timber pieces, and the welcoming Maori hosts, allow visitors a unique insight of maori culture. Te Puia is also home to the New Zealand maori Arts and Crafts Institute. The thermal area has a variety of boiling mud pools, steaming vents and geysers. New Zealand's largest geyser, Pohutu, erepts regularly, reaching heights up to 30 metres.

* Wai-o-Tapu is a geothermal smorgasboard of activity. Active for over 150,000 years, the area offers boiling mud pools and springs, a series of amazing coloured lakes, and a geyser, the Lady Knox Geyser, erupts promptly at 10.15 a.m. each day.

* trout fishing is popular in the area, and guided tours are available. Book a guided fly fishing tour and learn from the experts.

Day 6.

Today your New Zealand itinerary takes you from Rotorua to Waitomo, home of the Waitomo Caves (2.5 hours drive). Find some accommodation and head off to the caves.

The complex includes the unforgettable Ruakuri Cave, Aranui Cave, and the spectacular Glowworm Caves. The caves are a must see, and you will marvel at the display as thousands of tiny glowworms radiate their gentle glow. Expert guides will provide expert commentary on the caves history as you make your way through the complex.

If you crave something a little more adventurous, why not try black water rafting. 3 or 5 hour adventures will have you jumping, weaving, abseiling, and tubing through Ruakuri Caves glowworm lit waters. The operator, the Black Water Rafting company, have been in operation for over 20 years, and have guided over half a million visitors through this underground wonderland.

Day 7.

Today your New Zealand itinerary takes you to the Taranaki region's major centre, New Plymouth (2.5 hours drive).

Located on the west coast of the North Island, New Plymouth is somewhat unique, in being a coastal city which has a mountain within 30 minutes drive. Mount Taranaki (also known as Mount Egmont) stands at 2,518 metres and allows visitors to New Plymouth to snowboard, ski, and surf, all on the same day.

You will find a wide range of hotels and things to do in New Plymouth.

Day 8.

Today your New Zealand itinerary takes you from New Plymouth back to New Zealand's capital, Wellington (4.5 hours drive).

Day 9.

Today on your New Zealand itinerary you are free to explore Wellington. With a strong cafe culture, Wellington has literally hundreds of dining options, with various harbour front eateries providing excellent food and views.

Highly recommended are:

* a visit to Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. As New Zealand's national museum, Te Papa is a must see on your trip. Spread over five floors, and crammed full of New Zealand artifacts, interactive displays and hands on child friendly exhibits, Te Papa will occupy you for many hours.

* a trip on the Wellington Cable Car takes you up 122 metres to a wonderful viewing area, overlooking Wellington. Here you can also visit the Wellington Cable Car Museum. As an alternative to catching the cable car back down, a walk will take you through the Botanic Gardens.

* take a relaxing walk along Wellington's beautiful waterfront.

Day 10.

Unfortunately, today your New Zealand vacation comes to an end and you fly home.

We hope that you have enjoyed this New Zealand itinerary, and that you will return in the future to see more of this spectacular country.

We welcome your feedback.


To learn more about the regions covered in this New Zealand itinerary, click here.



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