Coromandel Getaway 16-22 October 2020 - New Zealand's Senior Travel Club - Tranzit Tours

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                                       Cathedral Cove, Coromandel

Coromandel Getaway
                     16-22 October 2020

                                New Zealand’s
                                Senior Travel Club

Itinerary
Day 1: Friday 16 October - Travelling to Auckland
We are transferred to Wellington Airport today, to join an afternoon Air New Zealand flight to
Auckland. We stay tonight at the Sudima Hotel, located near the airport, where we enjoy dinner
in-house.

Day 2: Saturday 17 October – Auckland to Coromandel
We have an early start this morning as we depart Auckland and wind our way out through
Maraetai and Clevedon before enjoying morning tea at Kawakawa Bay. Passing a number of the
many Auckland Regional Parks, we follow the East Coast Road and the scenic Miranda Coast
along the Firth of Thames. Our lunch stop today (included) is at the Rapaura Watergardens, a
tranquil spot in a sheltered valley. We can take a leisurely wander around this garden of regional
significance and enjoy a longer walk to a cascading waterfall - the “Seven Stairs to Heaven.”
We continue our journey up the Firth of Thames coastline this afternoon to the town of Coromandel.
A further five minutes drive takes us to Driving Creek, where we find the “Driving Creek Railway
and Pottery”. An amazing feat of engineering, this little railway was originally built to transport
clay down the hillside for the owner’s potting business and has since become a tourist attraction
not to be missed. Staying at Anchor Lodge Motel, we dine out tonight at a local restaurant.

Day 3: Sunday 18 October - Coromandel Peninsula
Today we enjoy the benefits of a local guide as we explore the northern part of the peninsula. We
enjoy morning tea at Colville, before continuing up to Port Charles to explore a couple of beautiful
bays in the area. Lunch today is at Tangiaro Kiwi Retreat, a hidden spot nestled in native bush.
Birdsong, trickling water and a gentle breeze rustling the trees are the only sounds to be heard.
We return to Coromandel mid-afternoon for some rest and relaxation at our own leisure, dining
out once more at a local restaurant this evening.

Day 4: Monday 19 October – Coromandel to Whitianga
This morning we meander up the “309 Road” to explore several worthy attractions. Up this
peaceful valley is a fine stand of mature kauri trees and a picturesque waterfall, both well worth
the leg stretch to reach them. We then move on to The Waterworks – a fabulous playground of
quirky mechanisms for adults and children alike and set amongst charming gardens. Lunch is
provided at the Waterworks Café before we depart for Whitianga. This afternoon we wind our
way over the Te Rerenga Saddle, and enjoy a wander at Whangapoua Beach before dropping
down into Mercury Bay, and the delightful seaside town of Whitianga. We stay here for the next
two nights in a motel that is a short stroll to the beach. We dine out tonight at a local restaurant.

Day 5: Tuesday 20 October - Whitianga and Cathedral Cove
A highlight of our stay in Whitianga – although weather dependant - is our boat cruise today to
one of the Coromandel’s prime scenic attractions, Cathedral Cove, as well as Hahei, Cooks Beach
and other secluded east coast bays and beaches. You will also have some free time today to
explore the village of Whitianga, enjoy lunch (own choice and cost), and perhaps take a short
ferry ride across the harbour where several rewarding walks or a beach stroll awaits you.

This afternoon we board our coach and make our way to Cathedral Cove Macadamias for a tour
and a chance to sample some of these delectable nuts. We can take a stroll on beautiful Hahei
Beach, before we make our way back to Whitianga, with time to freshen up before dining out
again this evening at the Salt Restaurant and Bar.

Day 6: Wednesday 21 October – Whitianga to Rotorua
Departing Whitianga today our travels take us through the popular holiday towns of Tairua
with its twin dormant volcanoes and Whangamata, a popular surf beach. Moving on we travel
through to the historic gold mining town of Waihi, the town with a “heart of gold” – a working
gold mine literally in the centre of the town. Grabbing a bite of lunch here (own cost) we stop at
the Gold Discovery Centre where we get to rattle the drill, crank the handles, push the plunger
and become immersed in this highly entertaining and interactive museum experience. We then
drive up to a lookout point above the mine allowing great views of the pit, before we continue our
travels to Rotorua. Our last night together is at the Sudima Hotel on the edge of the Government
Gardens, where we enjoy relaxed dining in-house this evening.

Day 7: Thursday 22 October – Rotorua to Home Locations
Homeward bound today, we make our way south, with a morning tea stop on the shores of Lake
Taupo, and our lunch stop at Taihape (own cost), arriving back in Palmerston North in time to meet
connecting transfers for those travellers continuing south towards Wellington and Wairarapa.

                                                                          Whitianga Harbour

Tour Schedule
Price Per Person:
 •     Double or twin share....................................................................$2745.00 per person
 •     Single Accommodation ..............................................................$3431.00 per person

 Deposit required to confirm your booking:...................$445.00 per person (non-refundable)

Cost of Tour Includes:
 • 
   Accommodation
 • 
   2 course or buffet dinners
 • 
   Continental or cooked breakfasts
 • 
   Morning teas on travelling days
 • 
   All coach travel
 • 
   Air New Zealand flight Wellington to Auckland
 • 
   Rapaura Watergardens including lunch
 • 
   Driving Creek Railway, Coromandel
 • 
   Tour to Port Charles with local tour guide, including morning tea
 • 
   Lunch at Tangiaro Retreat
 • 
   Entry to The Waterworks, Coromandel, including lunch
 • 
   Ocean Leopard Tours - Cruise to Cathedral Cove, Whitianga
 • 
   Tour of Cathedral Cove Macadamias, Whitianga
 • 
   Tour at the Gold Discovery Centre, Waihi

 Tour Balance payable by..........................................................................1 September 2020
 Bank account details: BNZ 020688 0127658 00                                      Tour Reference: Coro2020

 To:      Tranzit Coachlines Wairarapa Ltd,
          P O Box 116 MASTERTON 5840
          Phone (0800) 471 227 or (06) 370 6600

 OR:      Book online at www.tranzittours.co.nz
          Please read “Terms and Conditions” enclosed

                                                                       New Zealand’s
                                                                       Senior Travel Club