LEISURE GUIDE January 2018 - July 2018 Summer to Winter - Bay Tours
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LEISURE GUIDE January 2018 – July 2018 Summer to Winter
Welcome to Bay Tours & Charters
Leisure Guide
A hearty and summery greeting to all Tour Clubbers,
As the final pieces of this latest edition of the Leisure
Guide come together it seems only a few weeks ago that
I was writing the introduction for the previous issue. If I
re-read that message it was clearly in the midst of winter.
How different the weather has been as we’ve worked on
this issue. Day after day of sunshine and, incredibly, no
frosts through Spring and no pre-Christmas gales either.
Looking back over the last 6 months there were so many
great experiences on the tours we took. September was a
busy month with our trip to Auckland for Cirque du Soleil’s
performance of ‘Toruk’ and the annual visit to the always amazing World of Wearable Arts
Show a couple of highlights. In early November our Singapore and South-east Asia Cruise
departed and we enjoyed 18 incredible days with a mixture of exotic ports-of-call and
relaxing days aboard ship. Late November saw our wonderful day trip to Puketitiri Gardens.
A particular thrill because it was the opportunity to visit a garden created by Tour Club
members Gaynor and John Carswell. It somehow felt like a circle completed to be hosted
by them. As I write this we’ve just recently, and finally, completed the first Islands of
Hauraki tour which was disrupted by a cyclone in March. We managed to re-schedule the
Great Barrier Island part of the trip and it was a major hit. We’ll definitely be making
further visits to that special piece of New Zealand. And now we’re really looking forward
to the Christmas Mystery trip.
This latest edition is chock-full with awesome trips and tours. More day trips, lunches, and
the like, to make the most of Summer and Autumn. Further afield we mentioned the
Twenty Tunnels and White Island tours in the last issue. Added to these are our latest
excursion to the Chatham Islands in late February, a return to Mrs Brown’s Boys Live
in March and our celebration of the southern part of the South Island – South of the
South – in April. In June we’ll be discovering Wellington Secrets and offering a chance
to escape the winter weather again in Rarotonga. Look out for our tour to the West
Coast in October and a special cruise treat in November – Tasmania. There’s much more
to get excited about in this edition as well. Ahh, decisions, decisions!
Last month marked the 5th anniversary of our taking the reins at Bay Tours. We can
scarcely believe how the time has flown. We still feel as excited before each tour day as
we did back then and continue to try to seek out new and interesting experiences for Tour
Club members to enjoy. On behalf of all the Bay Tours team we’d like to thank you for
your continued support and to wish you a happy and relaxing festive season. We look
forward to seeing you on a tour soon. ☺
Kerren, Ken and the Bay Tours team.
2|
General Information
Payments:
Credit card: We accept credit card payments by Visa or MasterCard but there is a 5%
credit card handling fee. To avoid incurring this bank cost you can pay by;
Cheque, cash or internet banking at no extra cost; Internet banking, please place
your name, tour number and phone number in the identification field.
This also applies if you visit a Kiwibank branch to make an over-the-counter deposit. You
will need to highlight your reference details on your deposit slip to the teller to ensure they
key them in for your transaction.
Our bank account number to pay into is: Kiwi Bank 38 9014 0316437 00.
Dietary Requirements:
If you have any dietary requirements, please bring this to our attention when you are
booking your trip to enable us to accommodate your needs.
Accommodation Preferences:
If you wish to have a hotel room on a lower level or if you prefer two beds instead of a
double, please let us know at the time of booking so we can accommodate your needs.
Mobility Checkpoint:
Some tours which have an aspect to
them that will require a specific level
of mobility will be flagged with this
sign: This DOESN’T mean you will be
unable to participate. It simply
recommends you call the office to
discuss the specific requirement.
Shows:
If you hear about a show that is coming up and it is not in the Leisure Guide, we may not
have been aware of it prior to going to print. Please phone or email us to see if we are
going.
Tour Club membership
It is FREE to join our “Tour Club” – there are no joining fees.
Post to:
PO Box 12221, Ahuriri, Napier 4144
Phone us at:
(06) 845 2736
E-Mail us at:
info@baytours.co.nz
Visit us at:
25 Coronation St, Ahuriri, Napier 4110
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Tour Club Booking Form
Date Day Tour Tour Name Cost
6-7 January Sat – Sun 106 Steaming Through The Gorge $590
16-18 January Tues-Thurs 115 Great Barrier Island $1532
16 January Tuesday 116 Kiwi Creche & Boundary Stream $110
21 January Sunday 121 Mystery Sunday Picnic $98
30-1 Jan-Feb Tues-Thurs 130 Twenty Tunnels $895
1 February Thursday 201 Farmhouse Barbeque Lunch $110
8 February Thursday 208 Lunch at Akitio Beach $98
13 February Tuesday 213 Ngamatea Station $135
22 February Thursday 222 Mediterranean Progressive Lunch $115
24 February Saturday 224 Cricklewood Clydesdales & Farmers Market $150
27-5 Feb-Mar Tues – Mon 227 Chatham Islands $4560
3 March Saturday 303 Martinborough Fair $98
8 March Thursday 308 Summer Progressive Lunch #1 $125
10-11 March Sat – Sun 310 Mrs Browns Boys $585
12-16 March Mon – Fri 312 Hauraki Rail Trail $1395
16 March Friday 316 Summer Progressive Lunch #2 $125
20-24 March Tues – Sat 320 Northern Explorer Getaway $1955
27 March Tuesday 327 Great Gardens Galore $135
4 April Wednesday 404 In Our Own Backyard $132
10-23 April Tues – Mon 410 South of the South $7289
12 April Thursday 412 Oliver – the Musical & Dinner $130
17 April Tuesday 417 Autumn at Smedley & Gwavas $120
24 April Tuesday 424 Lunch at Kinloch & Lake Cruise $270
26 April Thursday 426 Evening Progressive Dinner $145
1-4 May Tues – Fri 501 Wanganui – River & Region $1255
9 May Wednesday 509 Lunch at Cape Kidnappers #1 $150
16 May Wednesday 516 Bistro Dinner at EIT Culinary School $95
24 May Thursday 524 Lunch at Cape Kidnappers #2 $150
28-1 May-Jun Mon – Fri 528 White Island, Tarawera & Beyond $2679
6 June Wednesday 606 Huka Lodge #1 $175
8 June Friday 608 Mystery Country Pub Lunch $100
14 June Thursday 614 4 Course Christmas Themed Dinner $105
19-22 June Tues - Fri 619 Wellington Secrets $1475
27-7 Jun-Jul Wed – Sat 627 A Winter Escape to Rarotonga & Aitutaki $6985
29-30 September Sat - Sun 929 WOW #1 $549
6-7 October Sat -Sun 1006 WOW #2 $549
27-2 Oct-Nov Sat – Fri 1027 West Coast Escape $3895
16-24 November Fri - Sat 1116 Let’s Go Cruising – Tasmania Up to
$5995
15–28 March 2019 Fri - Thurs 315 Cruising The South Pacific Islands P.O.A.
To book on any of these trips
Phone us on (06) 845 2736 or email info@baytours.co.nz
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The Tour Club
Conditions & Important Booking Information
Reservations & Payments
Generally, the price of day trips should be made in one payment, with the exception of
those where a deposit is requested.
For all overnight or longer trips and tours, a deposit as stated is payable to secure the
booking. The balance must be paid in full by the declared date.
Any reservation made within six (6) weeks of the tour departure must be paid in full.
Cancellations and Refunds
• Cancellations 65 days or more prior to the tour departure will be subject to a fee
of 15% of the tour’s deposit plus any additional charges incurred from contracted
services and/or providers.
• Cancellations less than 65 days but more than 7 days prior to departure will be
subject to a fee of 15% of the total tour cost, up to a maximum of $100 (NZ), plus
any additional charges incurred from contracted services and/or providers.
• Cancellations within 7 days of departures will be subject to a fee of 25% of the
total tour cost, plus any additional charges incurred from contracted services
and/or providers.
• No refunds will be made for cancellations made on the day prior to departure, on
the day of departure or once travel has commenced. Nor will refunds be made on
any unused portions of the tour.
Itinerary Variations
The company reserves the right to alter the tour package (including the itinerary) and
substitute accommodation facilities should unforeseen circumstances beyond our control
make changes necessary.
Tour Cancellations
Bay Tours & Charters Ltd reserves the right to cancel or withdraw any tour or any booking
made for a traveller. In this event, we will refund the total amount paid to Bay Tours by
the customer, but will not have any further liability to the traveller.
Liability
Bay Tours & Charters Ltd are not liable for and deny all responsibility for personal injury
or property damage arising out of these activities.
The arrangement providers, namely the carriers providing land, sea or air travel, the
operators providing transfers, accommodation, tours, meals and other services, all do so
according to their conditions. The traveller accepts the arrangements subject to those
conditions and accepts that their rights may be limited to those conditions as found in
tickets, vouchers, signs, forms, contracts and the like.
The traveller has no right to claim against Bay Tours & Charters Ltd for any loss, damage,
delay or injury caused to the traveller or their baggage whilst under the care or control of
an arrangement provider. A traveller’s baggage and personal effects shall be carried at
owner’s risk as provided for under the Carriage of Goods Act.
Bay Tours & Charters Ltd is not responsible for any losses or additional expenses due to
delays or alterations in air, land or sea travel due to inclement weather, acts of God,
strikes, breakdowns, civil unrest, quarantine, or other circumstances beyond its control.
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Tour Club conditions continued – Insurance For international tours, we require the traveller to have current comprehensive travel insurance to cover against lost or damaged luggage, accident or sickness, loss or theft of personal belongings and documents, or the need to cancel or curtail your holiday. Please note that special conditions apply for pre-existing medical conditions with all travel insurance policies. Brochure Pricing The prices that appear in the Leisure Guide are valid at the time of publication. The Company reserves the right to change pricing at any time after publication should this be forced upon us. Should changes occur you will be notified. Photographs The photographs reproduced in this publication depict typical scenes experienced, but the subject matter may not necessarily be seen or experienced whilst visiting that destination on any given day. Whilst away with Bay Tours you may be included in some photographs and/or videos taken by our guides and drivers that will be used for future promotional advertising purposes and by booking on to our tours you authorise the use of any images you are captured in to be used for this purpose without any further consent or payment. ======================================================= Introducing your Tour Co-ordinator We’re delighted to introduce, to those members who haven’t already met her, Penny Gifkins, our recently appointed Tour Club Co-ordinator. Penny will be working closely with Kerren and will likely be your principal point of contact for all Tour Club enquiries and bookings. Penny has extensive experience within the travel industry and moved to Hawke’s Bay, with her young family from her native Manawatu, a number of years ago. Penny’s looking forward to meeting Tour Club members and sharing some great experiences with you in the future. 6|
Tour No. 106
Steaming Through The Gorge
Date Saturday – Sunday 6-7 January
Times All collected by 7.45am
Cost $590.00 Twin Share | $690.00
Payment $200.00 upon booking, balance due Friday 24 November
Price includes Door to door transport, breakfast, morning tea, lunch, dinner,
accommodation, train ticket and entry to all activities
We’re travelling again with Steam Incorporated. But
this time our journey will take in the incredible
Manawatu Gorge and picturesque Tararua and
Wairarapa districts. Riding in the fully restored
vintage carriages, we’ll be pulled by the coal fired
steam locomotive Ja127. After joining the train at
Palmerston North, we’ll have the rare opportunity
to steam through the Manawatu Gorge Next, we
make a stop at the Pointon Collection. The
collection is presented as though you’ve walked back in time into an early 1900s garage
and workshop. We’ll spend the night in Masterton before heading to an Alpaca Stud for
morning tea the following day on our way home. Don’t miss your chance to re-live a day
from the golden age of steam.
Tour No. 115
Great Barrier Island
Date Tuesday – Thursday 16-18 January
Times All collected by 7.15am
Cost $1532.00 Twin Share | No Single Room availability
Payment $500 upon booking.
Price includes Door to door transport, breakfast x2, morning tea x1, lunch x2,
dinner x2, accommodation x2, flights and all activities
Without doubt the jewel in the crown
of the Hauraki Gulf is Great Barrier
Island. This almost mystical place
100km northeast of central Auckland
has always seemed so far away and
'other-worldly' and yet, always part
of the New Zealand idyll. These days
it's much easier to get there than
ever before. So, we're going to fly out
and spend a few days with the locals to get a feel for 'the Barrier' and experience one of
New Zealand's last untouched paradise.
For many, a trip to Great Barrier is a ‘bucket-list’ item. The opportunity to visit this iconic
maritime region of New Zealand is rare. This is the chance you’ve been waiting for,
encompassing all the levels of Bay Tours service you’ve come to expect. Join us for an
unforgettable odyssey around this island wonderland.
STOP PRESS – We are planning further trips to Great Barrier Island. Please phone
the office if you are interested in joining the enquiry list.
|7
Tour No. 116
Kiwi Creche & Boundary Stream
Date Tuesday 16 January
Times All collected by 9.00am
Cost $110.00
Payment As you board, money in an envelope with your name please.
Price includes Door to door transport, morning tea, lunch and sweet treat
Behind a predator-proof fence less than an hour north of Napier lies
a special place to which Kiwi chicks are brought from the wild. In
this 40-hectare pest-free area the chicks are nurtured in a native
bush environment until they’re deemed able to defend themselves.
The Kiwi safe haven surrounds the beautiful Lake Opouahi and we
have the opportunity to meet some of the people helping raise the
chicks and, fingers crossed, some of the chicks themselves.
Later we head further up the valley to Boundary Stream for a
delicious picnic lunch and opportunity to walk into the past along
accessible tracks through native bush. Watch the cheeky kaka birds
feed and hear and observe the beautiful bellbird, North Island robin, tomtit, fantail,
kereru (native wood pigeon) and the rare and magnificent kokako. On our way home,
we’ll drop into the beautiful beach at Waipatiki for an ice cream. This is an all too rare
opportunity to experience aspects of what New Zealand’s stunning native flora and fauna
were like before exotic pests arrived. These are tranquil and precious places. Join us for
an exciting day amongst the best our natural world has to offer.
Tour No. 121
Mystery Sunday Picnic
Date Sunday 21 January
Times All collected by 10.15am
Cost $98.00
Payment As you board, money in an envelope with your name please.
Price includes Door to door transport, lunch, ice-cream and a surprise
One of the great simple enjoyments of summer is a
Sunday drive in the country and a picnic lunch.
We’re heading into the beautiful Hawke’s Bay
countryside and have picked out a stunning
destination for our picnic which will be of ‘Famous
Five’-like abundance. There might even be
“..lashings of ginger beer.”
And we’ve got an extra surprise for you as part of
the mystery. That’s about all we can tell you. But
you know it’ll be fun!
8|
Tour No. 130
Twenty Tunnels
Date Tuesday – Thursday 30 January – 1 February
Times All collected by 8.00am
Cost $895.00 Twin Share | $1095 Single Room
Payment $300.00 upon booking, balance due Tuesday 19 December
Price includes Door to door transport, breakfast x2, morning tea x2, lunch x1,
afternoon tea x1, dinner x2, accommodation x2, rail tour
It’s been more than two years since we embarked
on this extremely popular tour into the hinterland
of the central North Island.
Nestled deep within the hidden valleys of King
Country’s ‘Forgotten World’ region is the
ultimate way to explore rural New Zealand. This
is a rail journey like no other. Travelling on long
ago closed lines between Whangamomona and
Taumaranui, we’ll experience this remote area from the comfort of rail-carts, cleverly
adapted to be self-driven along the tracks. Journey over bridges and rivers, through
tunnels and townships that time has forgotten. There’ll be plenty of photo opportunities
as we’re guided through ever changing vistas. This is a spectacular experience for all.
Book quickly as we have very limited spaces available.
Tour No. 201
Farmhouse Barbeque Lunch
Date Thursday 1 February
Times All collected by 9.45am
Cost $110.00
Payment As you board, money in an envelope with your name please.
Price includes Door to door transport, barbeque lunch
Some will have enjoyed seeing our friends Greg and Rachel Hart from Mangarara Station
featured on Country Calendar earlier this year. Bay Tours have been regular visitors to
their 610-hectare hill country farm at Elsthorpe for the
last few years. In 2015, they built their stunning Eco-
Lodge which can accommodate up to 17 people, is
clad entirely in macrocarpa milled on the property and
looks across Horseshoe Lake & Wetland that
borders the farm.
We invite you to join us as we visit Mangarara
Station and enjoy a barbeque lunch featuring their
own beef, pork and lamb grown right there on their
farm. The Eco-Lodge is a superb venue for lunch.
Having enjoyed their delicious fare and hospitality
there’ll be an opportunity to buy their meat and free-range eggs to take home.
We then head further on to Kairakau Beach to enjoy this stunning stretch of sandy
coastline before meandering back north and enjoying the scenery along the Kahuranaki
road east of the Tuki Tuki River. This is a day out that takes us to the very heart (or
should that be ‘Hart’) of what we love about Hawke’s Bay. Quality people producing quality
food in a quality environment. Talk about iconic!
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Tour No 208 Lunch at Akitio Beach Date Thursday 8 February Times All collected by 8.15am Cost $98.00 Payment As you board, money in an envelope with your name please. Price includes Door to door transport, morning tea, lunch. Two of the iconic activities of summer is a trip to the beach and barbeques. In February the best local beaches near Napier and Hastings are pretty busy so we’re heading further afield to the beautiful remote beach of Akitio. In fact, it’s not, technically, even in Hawke’s Bay. We’re going to stop on the way at the beautiful secluded gardens of Dannevirke Domain for morning tea before we take the beautiful scenic drive through the Weber and Waione districts to the Akitio Fishing Club right on the beach. We’ll enjoy a delicious barbeque lunch here and have time to wander the beach itself. This is a wonderful day out in the Hawke’s Bay and Tararua countryside celebrating some of the many benefits of living in this part of New Zealand. Get out amongst it with us. Tour No. 213 Ngamatea Station Date Tuesday 13 February Times All collected by 8.15am Cost $135.00 Payment Full payment upon booking please. Price includes Door to door transport, morning tea, lunch. One of the pre-eminent North Island high country stations is Ngamatea. The first thing that stands out about this huge inland holding, bound by the Rangitikei and Ngaruroro rivers, is the sheer scale of the place. Covering 70,000 acres in total and with 55,000 sheep and 5,500 beef cattle, as well as extensive tussock country providing top deer hunting, everything about Ngamatea is big. A strong emotional commitment to wool is deeply woven into the history of Ngamatea and we’re timing our visit with summer shearing in full swing. With a 20-stand shearing shed taking an annual clip of around 180,000kg of wool there are few properties to rival it. We’ll watch them shearing and enjoy lunch on the Station with the Station Manager joining us to tell us all about the place. 10 |
Tour No. 222 Mediterranean Progressive Lunch Date Thursday 22 February Times All collected by 11.15am Cost $115.00 Payment Full payment upon booking please. Price includes Door to door transport, lunch We invite you on a culinary journey of Mediterranean delights. We start with our first course showcasing the eastern end of the Mediterranean at Kilim, a Turkish restaurant in Napier. Here we’ll sample a variety of tasty morsels ranging from hummus and mezze dips to filo feta rolls and chickpea patties. Next, we ‘go west’ to Spain for our Main Course and a mystery venue for the great dish of Valencia. Paella is a rice dish cooked slowly in an enormous, circular, shallow pan over a wood fire. For our Dessert in the heart of Havelock North we will enjoy Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean Kantin cuisine at Fiko Restaurant. We will choose from classics including baklava, affogato and gelato’s. What a deliciously indulgent way to finish touring our taste buds around the cradle of Western civilisation. A truly worldly lunch. Tour No. 224 Cricklewood Clydesdales & Farmers Market Date Saturday 24 February Times All collected by 8.15am Cost $150.00 Payment As you board, money in an envelope with your name please. Price includes Door to door transport, lunch, all activities The Bayly family of Tahaenui Station at Nuhaka have been Angus cattle breeders since the 1930’s. The breeding aspect of the farm operates under the Cricklewood name and the gradual expansion of a breeding programme for Clydesdale horses now goes hand-in-hand with the prize-winning Angus stud business. Cricklewood Clydesdales has established itself as one of the most important sources for this famous working horse breed in the country. Sara and Humphrey Bayly will host us for lunch, tell us about the property’s history and show us around in the horse-drawn Cobb & Co. and Cricklewood Angus wagons. Being a Saturday, we couldn’t venture through Wairoa without a visit to the wonderful Wairoa Farmers Market on our way to Cricklewood. This will be a memorable day in northern Hawke’s Bay focussed on a rural property unique to our region. Because of the nature of their enterprise Cricklewood have had to limit the numbers that can visit. So, don’t delay in booking a place today. | 11
Tour No. 227
Chatham Islands
Date Tuesday – Monday 27 February – 5 March
Times All collected by 8.30am
Cost $4560.00 Twin Share | $5365.00 Single Room
Payment $1500.00 upon booking, balance due 1 December 2017
Price includes Door to door transport, breakfast x6, morning tea x5, lunch x4,
dinner x6, accommodation x6, all activities
Experience the absolute uniqueness that is ‘The Chathams’.
The isolation, moody climate and history that includes Moriori,
Maori, sealers, whalers, missionaries, farmers and settlers
gives a strong community spirit. After an overnight stop in
Wellington we’ll fly into the Chatham Islands where our home
for the next 5 nights will be Hotel Chatham’s which overlooks
the sea in the main settlement of Waitangi.
During our visit, we’ll explore it all. Highlights will include the views from the 200m high
Rangi Ika Cliffs, the life size statue of Tommy Solomon, the last known full blooded
Moriori, visit Blind Jim’s Creek and search the coastline for fossilized shark’s teeth.
The beautiful Hapupu National Reserve Moriori Tree Cravings, enormous Basalt
Columns, Port Munning Seal Colony, Kaingaroa Fishing Village and much, much
more. PLUS, this trip is a little different. It will coincide with the annual Chatham Islands
Festival featuring all manner of food, local crafts and activities. This tour will be hosted
by Ken who has visited the Chatham Islands no less than 15 times, he can’t wait to show
you around. If you missed this trip, we will be going to the Chathams again – we will keep
you in touch.
Tour No. 303
Martinborough Fair
Date Saturday 3 March
Times All collected by 6.45am – Ouch!
Cost $98.00
Payment Full payment upon booking please.
Price includes Door to door transport to the Fair, morning tea
Every year we make the annual pilgrimage to one of the
country's most iconic fairs. The Martinborough Fair began in
1977 with 35 stalls of crafts people from around the Wairarapa
area.
Today there are hundreds of stalls featuring every craft
endeavour you can imagine. The whole of the area around the
beautiful town square are given over to this event on the first
Saturday in March. We'll make an early start to ensure that you have plenty of time to
wander and enjoy the huge array of unique goods available for sale. There'll be plenty of
room in the lockers under the bus to store your acquisitions.
Get together with a friend and enjoy a special day on the Bay Tours calendar.
12 |Tour No. 308 and Tour No. 316
Summer Progressive Lunch
Date Thursday 8 March and Friday 16 March
Times All collected by 11.30am
Cost $125.00
Payment As you board, money in an envelope with your name please.
Price includes Door to door transport, entrée, main & dessert
This is the latest of our hugely popular Progressive Lunch series which showcases three
Hawke’s Bay restaurants.
For our Entrée we start at Crab Farm winery in
Bayview. Hugely popular, the rustic décor creates a
wonderful ambience which compliments the delicious
menu. The acquisition of the former Viceroy Hotel by
the group that operates Masonic Hotel has seen the
arrival in Hawke’s Bay of the much-heralded Portofino
restaurant. We’ll enjoy our Main Course featuring
traditional Italian dishes transformed with the freshest local ingredients. What a winning
combination.
Finally, we head to the unparalleled outdoor setting of the Mission Estate restaurant for
our Dessert. On a summer’s day there’s no venue quite like it. Superb desserts in a high
quality and iconic Hawke’s Bay venue.
Everyone knows how popular these lunches are. Book now!
Tour No. 310
Mrs Browns Boys Live – Auckland
Date Saturday – Sunday 10-11 March
Times All collected by 7.30am
Cost $585.00 Twin Share | $685.00 Single Room
Payment $300.00 upon booking, balance due 11 January
(ticket cost is non-refundable)
Price includes Door to door transport, breakfast, morning tea, dinner,
accommodation, premium ticket to Mrs Browns Boys.
Back in New Zealand for more fun and mischief is Ireland’s
maddest, meddling mother and her inept family.
It will have been 2 years since creator Brendan O’Carroll
and his alter-ego, Agnes Brown the matriarchal Mammy
of an extensive and dubious family, were last here and
the many that attended ‘Mrs Brown’s Boys’ last time
thoroughly enjoyed the side-splitting comedy and will no
doubt be looking to go again. This time the show is entitled ‘For The Love Of Mrs
Brown’. In this hilarious new show Agnes looks for love using D’Internet, daughter Cathy
thinks plastic surgery might be the answer to getting that ring on her finger, son Dermot
realises he may need to step up the romance to keep his marriage fresh, and even Grand-
dad finds love! Join the fun and come to one of the funniest live shows you’ll ever
experience.
| 13Tour No. 312
Hauraki Rail Trail
Date Monday – Friday 12 – 16 March
Times All collected by 8.00am
Cost $1,395.00 Twin Share | $1,695.00 Single Room
(based on supplying your own bike)
Bike hire Please enquire for additional price of bike hire
Payment $500.00 upon booking, balance due Monday 22 January
Price includes Door to door transport, breakfast x4, morning tea x2, lunch x3,
dinner x4, accommodation x4, all activities
After all the fun we had on our tour last summer
to ride the Otago Rail Trail we’ve decided we
definitely want to do another trail. But also, to
spread the word and get more riders involved. So,
this summer we’re going to ride what is generally
recognised as the easiest organised trail in the
country – the Hauraki Rail Trail. Divided into 3
obvious legs bordered by the towns Thames, Te
Aroha and Waihi, we’ll base ourselves in Paeroa
as the hub (feeble bike pun!) so we’ll only have to
unpack once.
Here’s how the official NZ Cycle Trail describes it;
“One of the easiest trails in the country to cycle, the Grade 1 Hauraki Rail
Trail is regularly traversed by kids barely out of trainer wheels, as well as
those who have been pedalling since the days of Penny Farthings. It
showcases some of the best scenery in New Zealand and gives cyclists
plenty of reasons to stop and get off their bikes along the way.”
As an added incentive for all our budding cycling members out there to join us, this year
we have two additional options for the bikes themselves. All designed to make things as
easy as possible for you. For those who would like to, you can bring your own bike with
you. We’ll transport it in a covered purpose-built trailer behind the coach. But wait, there’s
more! (The option to hire a standard or an E-Bike is still there, of course).
Day 1: Hawke’s Bay – Paeroa We head north via Rotorua for lunch and then head into
the Hauraki Plains and a visit to the Ngatea Water Gardens before settling into our
accommodation in Paeroa. We’ll be picking up the
hired bikes this afternoon.
Day 2: Thames – Paeroa (34kms/3.5hrs ride
time) Today we take the coach through to Thames
where the trail starts. We’ll be biking back towards
Paeroa today with morning tea at The Cheese Barn
at Matatoki and lunch at Hikutaia. After lunch
we’ll visit the Hauraki Maritime Museum before
rolling back into Paeroa.
14 |Day 3: Paeroa – Te Aroha (22kms/2.5hrs ride time) A relaxing free morning today.
Have a good brunch to set you up for our cycle to Te Aroha this afternoon. Bring your
swim suit as we’ll have a soak in the town’s famous Hot Springs. Later in the afternoon
we have a very special treat in store. We’re going to nearby Hobbiton for a guided tour
followed by a delicious and abundant Grand Banquet at the Green Dragon Inn in the
heart of The Shire. Enjoy the view of the hobbit houses lit up at night. A unique evening
few ever have the chance to experience.
Day 4: Paeroa – Waihi (25kms/3hrs ride time) Today’s ride is the jewel in the crown
of the Hauraki Rail Trail. Today we ride through the jaw-droppingly beautiful
Karangahake Gorge. Once the site of one of NZ’s busiest gold strikes, the gorge is
steeped in history and peppered with relics such as the impressive ruins of the once huge
Victoria Stamper Battery. The trail follows the Ohinemuri River with great views at
every turn. A highlight will be the magnificent Owharoa Falls with lunch nearby. After
lunch, we ride through to Waihi where we’ll take
the historic Goldfields Railway back along the
other side of the river to Waikino. The day finishes
with a barbeque back in Paeroa. What a stunning
day!
Day 5: Paeroa – Hawke’s Bay We drive back
through Waihi and Katikati and on to Bethlehem
outside Tauranga for morning tea. Then down
through Pyes Pass and on to Reporoa for lunch
before heading home.
The Hauraki Rail Trail crosses some of the most fascinating and scenic spots in the North
Island. The leisurely pace of this trail will allow plenty of sightseeing throughout this
beautiful district. No matter what your level of fitness, if you can sit on a bike you can
enjoy this trail. Join us for a wonderful week of fun and unique experiences.
Tour No. 320
Northern Explorer Getaway
Date Tuesday – Saturday 20 – 24 March
Times All collected by 7.00am
Cost $1955.00 Twin Share | $2455.00 Single Room
Payment $500.00 upon booking, balance due Friday 9 February
Price includes Door to door transport, breakfast x4, lunch x2, dinner x4,
accommodation x4, all activities
Five years ago, Kerren and Ken’s first big tour included travelling on the train that is now
known as ‘The Northern Explorer’. It
headed north and many other activities
around the Auckland and Waikato regions
were included in the ensuing days. Like all
train journeys we undertake, it was very
popular and we think it’s time to offer a
similar train experience, but with the
addition of a number of new activities
blended with what was the best of the original tour.
| 15The breadth and variety of the experiences in this tour is amazing. Some places you will
have heard of and some will be new to you. But one thing is guaranteed, this will be a
hugely interesting and enjoyable few days away. A brief summary of the itinerary goes
like this;
Day 1: We travel to Palmerston North to meet the north-bound ‘Northern Explorer’
train. Throughout the journey we’ll enjoy amazing vistas, different from that seen by road,
as we first traverse the river gorges of the Rangitikei region before ascending to the
tussock land of the Central Plateau. As we enter Tongariro National Park the series
of viaducts and bridges are breath-taking. The snow-capped peaks of Ruapehu,
Ngauruhoe and Tongariro mean we’re due to stop at National Park station before we
descend the astonishing feat of engineering that is the Raurimu Spiral. Then we’re into
the glorious rolling green of the King Country before our rail trip ends at Otorohanga.
Day 2: What better way to start a day than a tour of the Tip Top Ice Cream factory in
Mt Wellington. After lunch at the fabulous Waipuna Lodge we visit one of Auckland’s hidden
garden treasures, Eden Garden. Enjoy this beautiful, tranquil setting right in the middle
of town. Then we head into the Waitakere Ranges and the astonishing views across the
whole of Auckland City from Rose Hellaby House. We continue our scenic drive through
the ranges, Point Chevalier, Westmere and Westhaven Marina.
Day 3: Today we make a pilgrimage from the heart of the Waitemata Harbour to one
of New Zealand’s most important wildlife sanctuaries, the Hauraki Gulf island of Tiritiri
Matangi. For the last 30 years the island has
gradually built the populations of dozens of
threatened species of birds. During our
guided walk we may see or hear such natives
as the Bellbird, Fantail, Takahe, North Island
Robin, Kokako, Saddleback, Kaka, Rifleman
and Kereru to name only some. Add in non-
native shore birds such as Dotterels,
Godwits, Oystercatchers, Petrels and
Shearwaters together with Tuatara and
various species of Gecko and it’s easy to tell
the value of this island. Volunteers of the Tiritiri Matangi Conservation Trust will guide
us around this special place. We’ll have lunch on the island before enjoying a relaxing
return boat journey to Auckland.
Day 4: A gradual journey south is the plan today. Our first stop will be a visit to one of
the world’s most prominent thoroughbred horse breeding venues, Waikato Stud in
Matamata. With many superstar stallions and brood mares standing at their 1700-acre
property, we’ll enjoy a tour of this incredible facility and get an insight into the international
world of thoroughbred breeding and racing. Then we enjoy a lunch break in Tirau before
trundling down the road to Wairakei Resort Hotel where we spend the night.
Day 5: This morning we take to the water with a wonderful sightseeing cruise on Lake
Taupo before some free time in the centre of Taupo for lunch. Then it’s homeward bound
and the comfort of our own beds. This is a great opportunity to firstly, see the central
North Island from a unique perspective and secondly, experience an astonishing array of
destinations and activities you’d never get the chance to see by yourself. Book now for
what will be a thrilling tour.
16 |Tour No 327
Great Gardens Galore
Date Tuesday 27 March
Times All collected by 9.00am
Cost $135.00
Payment As you board, money in an envelope with your name please.
Price includes Door to door transport, Devonshire tea, lunch, garden tours
One of the beauties of a garden is its evolution. A garden you haven’t visited for a few
years may have changed a little – or a lot. We begin with a return visit to Belmount
Garden in the Tuki Tuki Valley. The original name was ‘Craggy Range’ but when the
Campbell family purchased the property 70 years ago the name was changed to ‘Belmount’
after the family home in Ireland. Christine Campbell will
host us for a Devonshire morning tea and show us
around her delightful garden. We then enjoy a lovely
drive across the Heretaunga Plain and up the Taihape
road to one of the oldest homesteads in Hawke’s Bay,
Mangawhare. At its height, Mangawhare Station was
over 68,000 acres but was gradually broken up and
sold off. The homestead and garden have been a prominent part of the district for nearly
150 years. Current owner, Trace Custer, will show us around her inspiring garden and give
us lunch. The afternoon introduces two new gardens to us. Firstly, Annette Hildesheim
has raised more than $15,000 for the HB Cancer Society by opening her garden to the
public for just two weekends a year. We’re very lucky to be able to make a private visit to
this wonderful rose garden tucked away in a quiet suburban street on the outskirts of
Hastings. Then we wander a little way up Karamu Road and at the end of a side road is
Cheops Garden, home of Georgina Campbell and a listed garden with Heritage Roses
New Zealand. Georgina’s garden features ‘The McGredy Rose Garden’ and over 1000
varieties grow throughout the property. But it’s not all just roses. A wide variety of plants
make this an astonishing garden and a wonderful way to finish our amazing day.
Tour No 404
In Our Own Backyard
Date Wednesday 4 April
Times All collected by 9.00am
Cost $132.00
Payment As you board, money in an envelope with your name please.
Price includes Door to door transport, morning tea, lunch, all activities.
As always, this latest edition of our popular In Our Own Backyard series is a full and
diverse day of destinations.
| 17We begin with a visit to the fabulous Faraday Centre, Hawke’s Bays’ museum of
technology. Extensive displays tracing the history of communication systems, transport,
energy and even home appliances will entertain and
enlighten you. Next, we stop at the newly re-designed
Waitangi Regional Park next to the mouth of the
Ngaruroro and Tutaekuri Rivers. The newly completed
layout includes excavated wetlands, a giant star compass
and loads of new plantings. We’ll enjoy a cuppa here before
crossing the rivers to Hohepa Farm, where the property
has been providing vocational work for adults with
intellectual disabilities for 60 years now. We’ll enjoy a
behind-the-scenes look at this wonderful facility.
Then we’re off to lunch at The Jandal Bar & Restaurant right
on the waterfront in Ahuriri. A place dedicated to celebrating the
traditional Kiwi pub and food. After lunch we head to the rural
headquarters of Taylor Corporation, a family owned apple
growing, packing and exporting business, in the Waiohiki area,
run by the Taylor family for 100 years. There have been a lot of
changes in the apple industry over the last 10 years and the
family have built a diverse operation that includes 300 hectares
of orchards and a pack house that processes up to 250 tonnes of
fruit a day. They’ll show us around their base – including a private
car museum and beautiful garden.
What an interesting day this promises to be. Another worthy addition to this very popular
local day trip series.
Tour No. 410
South of the South
Date Tuesday -Monday 10 – 23 April
Times All collected by 8.15am
Cost $7289.00 Twin Share | $8765.00 Single Room
Payment $1000 upon booking, balance due Wednesday 7 February
Price includes Door to door transport, breakfast x13, morning tea x1, lunch x9,
dinner x13, accommodation x13, entry and activities
Bay Tours owner Ken Withington is Southland born and
bred and with Kerren, will lead this 14-day pilgrimage
back to his roots and show off the scenic grandeur and
southern hospitality of The South of the South.
Day 1 – We head to Wellington today, check into the
beautiful Rydges Hotel and have a few spare hours.
Day 2 – We fly to beautiful Queenstown this morning
where Ken will meet us with the coach and then it’s the
lovely drive to Te Anau where we settle into our hotel.
18 |Day 3 – Today we head to the iconic Milford Sound for an astounding scenic cruise
around one of this country’s greatest natural wonders. Then we’re back to Te Anau for
the night.
Day 4 – Head south to Riverton on the south coast via Lake Manapouri and the famous
Clifden Suspension Bridge. Then it’s on to Kens’ hometown – Invercargill for the night.
Day 5 – In the morning we’re off to Bluff, southern-most point of the New Zealand
mainland. For those who enjoy an oyster there will no doubt be lots of shucking and
slurping from the shell. Then it’s the beautiful Maple Glen Gardens for lunch and Oreti
Beach, the scene of many heroics by Kiwi motorcycle
speed legend Burt Munro.
Day 6 – Off to Stewart Island either by boat or
plane and a guided tour of the island. Enjoy some
leisure time in the afternoon for bush or beach walks.
After dinner in Oban there will be an OPTIONAL Kiwi
Spotting Night Tour for the hale and hearty.
Day 7 – Today we take the water-taxi to Ulva Island Bird Sanctuary for a gentle guided
amble around this unique environment where they say the bird life is so friendly they’ll
come too close for your camera lens.
Day 8 – Following a return to the mainland we’ll head to beautiful Queens Park in the
centre of Invercargill. Perhaps a legendary Southland cheese roll at the Tea house,
anyone? Then it’s off to the incredible Bill Richardson Vintage Truck Museum for a
nostalgic view of over 200 stunningly restored vehicles.
Day 9 – The Catlins area of eastern Southland. We’ll spend the day wending our way
through this remote wonderland with lighthouses, waterfalls, pristine harbours and
lounging sea lions. Then suddenly we’re in Dunedin!
Day 10 – First stop is the spectacular Dunedin Railway Station and a journey on the
famous Taieri Gorge Railway is on the agenda this morning. Then it’s out onto Otago
Peninsula to visit historic Larnach Castle. We return to town via Portobello.
Day 11 – We head inland into gold rush country. Just beyond the historic town of Lawrence
is Gabriel’s Gully, site of the first gold found in the area.
Then we’re on through Roxburgh and Alexandra to
lunch in Clyde and a view of the famous dam. After
lunch, we pass Lake Dunstan and on to the settlement of
Tarras at the foot of the Lindis Pass and home to the
reclusive merino Shrek. Cromwell is our base tonight.
Day 12 – Today we devote our time to the legendary
Arrowtown Autumn Festival. We’re back in Cromwell
again tonight.
Day 13 – This morning we’re off to Queenstown to take the mighty MS Earnslaw across
Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station and lunch. The afternoon is at leisure in
Queenstown. Anyone fancy a jet boat ride? We’ll ride up the gondola to dinner at the
Skyline Restaurant and one of the greatest vistas you’ll ever experience. Breathtaking!
Day 14 – Time to head home and leave the stunning South. We’ll fly directly back to ‘the
Bay’.
With Ken and Kerrens’ insight and local knowledge, this tour is a once in a lifetime ‘Bucket
List’ experience not to be missed. It’s the trip you’ve always promised yourself. Now it’s
possible. Come join us … but hurry, as numbers are limited.
| 19Tour No. 412
Oliver – The Musical and Dinner
Date Thursday 12 April
Times All collected by 5.30pm
Cost $130.00
Payment Full payment upon booking please
Price includes Door to door transport, 2 course dinner, ticket to Oliver
When Oliver premiered in the London West End in 1960 it almost instantly became a
classic of English musical theatre. Adapted from
Charles Dickens’ novel Oliver Twist and featuring
genuine East End cockney accents. There have been
numerous revivals over the years and with songs such
as ‘Food, Glorious Food’, ‘Consider Yourself’, ‘Oom Pah
Pah’ and ‘I’d Do Anything’ becoming instant hits and
are now embedded in British popular culture.
We’re delighted to present a production of this
perennial musical, about the plight of an orphaned boy in Victorian London, by our friends
and neighbours Napier Operatic Society. They will host us for dinner and the show.
Treat yourself to a great night out at one of the all-time classics of musical theatre.
Tour No 417
Autumn at Smedley & Gwavas
Date Tuesday 17 April
Times All collected by 9.30am
Cost $120.00
Payment As you board, money in an envelope with your name please.
Price includes Door to door transport, lunch, afternoon tea
Over the years we’ve visited Gwavas Homestead & Garden a number of times, but
never in April when the autumn colours of the woodland garden are at their height. Home
to the fifth generation of the Carlyon family who have lived and worked at Gwavas since
the mid-nineteenth century, the majestic 20-acre garden has numerous historic exotic
trees registered with the Royal NZ Institute of Horticulture. The family have also managed
to preserve, over the last 150 years, a 300-acre tract of virgin native bush with a number
of massive Totara and Matai trees in excess of 600 years old. We’ll have lunch in the
magnificent Category 1 listed homestead designed for
the family by Charles Natusch in 1900.
In October 2016 we were given the rare opportunity to
visit Smedley Station & Cadet Training Farm, and
we will return again. The hill station of nearly 13,000
acres accommodates and teaches its cadets the skills
needed in modern farming. The nature of the operation
at Smedley means numbers for the visit must be strictly
limited. Act quickly to book your place.
20 |Tour No 424 Lunch at Kinloch & Lake Cruise Date Tuesday 24 April Times All collected by 7.45am Cost $270.00 Payment Full payment upon booking please. Price includes Door to door transport, morning tea, lake cruise, lunch. Last March we were invited to bring a group to the new Lodge at Kinloch. It was a great success so we’ve decided to offer it again. Sitting on a hillside overlooking the golf course and with 10 luxury villas, a signature restaurant and reception rooms, The Lodge at Kinloch has breath-taking views across the course to the lake and the mountains beyond. Just the venue for a very special Tour Club lunch. To add further to our lunch, visit our journey to The Lodge will include a wonderful scenic cruise across Lake Taupo. We expect this excursion to be very popular again and places are limited at the Lodge so make sure you book promptly to avoid disappointment. Tour No. 426 Evening Progressive Dinner Date Thursday 26 April Times All collected by 5.30pm Cost $145.00 Payment Full payment upon booking please. Price includes Door to door transport, entrée, main and dessert We’ve had such a great response to our Progressive Lunches over the last few years, and now we are moving to the evening. Our first stop for Entrée is the exclusive Mangapapa Hotel. This luxury retreat has a ‘paddock to plate’ philosophy utilising the produce from the kitchen garden and surrounding orchards and grazing paddocks. Next, we head to Terroir Restaurant at Craggy Range winery in the Tuki Tuki Valley for our Main Course. Originally established by the Peabody family to emulate a rustic French bistro, Terroir has evolved into one of THE destination restaurants attracting international visitors and locals alike. Head Chef, Casey McDonald returns to New Zealand after featuring in Michelin- starred restaurants in London and San Francisco. For Dessert we travel to Hawke’s Bay’s ultimate dessert destination – Mission Estate restaurant. Since taking over from his father, Maitre d’ Daniel Jaritz has taken the restaurant to even greater heights whilst maintaining its family feel. The quality of their desserts is legendary and a perfect way to round off a special evening of culinary delights. Due to the intimate size of the dining room at Mangapapa Hotel places are strictly limited. Don’t delay in securing your place at this exciting event. | 21
Tour No. 501
Wanganui - River & Region
Date Tuesday -Friday 1 – 4 May
Times All collected by 8.30am
Cost $1,255.00 Twin Share | $1,555.00 Single Room
Payment $300 upon booking, balance due Friday 16 March
Price includes Door to door transport, breakfast x3, morning tea x3, lunch x4,
dinner x3, accommodation, all activities
There’s no district of New Zealand more connected to a river than Wanganui. Every
aspect of its history since pre-European times to today is inextricably attached to this
central waterway that winds its way through the region. At its mouth, in 1840, was
established the beginnings of a settlement that is today the city of Wanganui.
Local Maori see the river itself – Whanganui
– as a living entity and it is the only river in
New Zealand, possibly the world, with the
same legal rights as a person. And as it
always has been, it remains the main supply
artery for the communities living in the
Wanganui hinterland south of Taumaranui.
After travelling over the Gentle Annie to
Ohakune for the night, we’re going to
journey to Wanganui City via the River Road
from Pipiriki. We’ll be joined by a local guide
on our coach who’ll bring the history of the
river communities to life for us as we follow the river downstream toward town. We’ll visit
landmarks and historic sites such as the convent and church of St Joseph at Jerusalem,
where Suzanne Aubert established the order of the Sisters of Compassion, Kawana
Flour Mill, built in 1854 and still with its original water-wheel, and the settlement of
Ranana where the district school still operates.
But this tour is about far more than the river. Once in town we’ll venture up the famous
Durie Hill Tower (via the underground elevator) for magnificent views across Wanganui
City.
The following day we’ll head north out of town to the stunning Bason Botanic Gardens
and the glorious Natusch designed homestead and 100-hectare bird sanctuary of Bushy
Park before having lunch in Hawera.
We’ll visit the astonishing Nigel Ogle’s Tawhiti Museum after lunch before making our
way back to Wanganui for the night. We make our way home via Feilding and their well-
known Friday Farmer’s Market in the square. A visit to the Coach House Museum for
lunch and a look around before it’s back to ‘the Bay’.
The Wanganui city, river and region are a fascinating one full of sights and experiences
unique to this historic area. Join us as we spend a little time in River country and enjoy
some of its many splendours.
22 |Tour No. 509 and Tour No. 524
Lunch @ Cape Kidnappers
Date Wednesday 9 May & Thursday 24 May
Times All collected by 11.15am
Cost $150.00
Payment Full payment upon booking please.
Price includes Door to door transport, 3 course lunch, tour of Lodge and golf
facilities
This delicious 3 course lunch is put on especially for
us at this stunning location – The Farm at Cape
Kidnappers and will once again be popular.
There is also an opportunity to have a guided tour of
the lodge. After lunch we will drive down to the club
house at the Cape Kidnappers Golf Course and have
a look at the golfing facilities. This is a lovely day out
to one of Hawke’s Bays’ exquisite locations. Hurry as
numbers fill fast for this!
Tour No. 516
Bistro Dinner at EIT Culinary School
Date Wednesday 16 May
Times All collected by 5.00pm
Cost $95.00
Payment Full payment upon booking please.
Price includes Door to door transport, 3 course dinner & complimentary drink
Following the success of our ‘A la Carte
Dinner’ at E.I.T.’s Culinary Arts &
Hospitality School last August we’re
returning to experience the talent and skills
of the next generation of hospitality
professionals graduating from the
renowned tertiary institute.
The rise of ‘Gastro-Pubs’, particularly in
Britain, where food enjoys a much higher
profile in a pub environment that it used to
in the past, has seen a welcome return to traditional dishes but with more attention to
quality and detail. The French bistro has championed this style of cooking for years.
Scholars Restaurant creates an authentic, fully licenced environment allowing senior
students to showcase and refine their kitchen and front-of-house skills under the
supervision of their lecturers and mentors.
We invite you to join us for an evening focused on quality bistro-style dishes prepared
using the very latest culinary techniques. We’re proud to be supporting such a worthy
enterprise.
| 23Tour No. 528
White Island, Tarawera & Beyond
Date Monday – Friday 28 May – 1 June
Times All collected by 8.00am
Cost $2,679.00 Twin Share | $3,079.00 Single Room
Payment $1000.00 upon booking, balance due Monday 17 April
Price includes Door to door transport, breakfast x4, morning tea x2, lunch x3,
dinner x4, accommodation x4, helicopter flight and entry to all
tour activities
White Island and Mt Tarawera represent two legs of the trifecta of major volcanic
disasters in New Zealand, (the other being Tangiwai in 1953). 11 sulphur miners were
killed on White Island in 1914 and today it is New
Zealand’s most active volcano. In 1886 a much
larger eruption saw Mt Tarawera claim 108 lives
as well as obliterating the famous Pink and White
Terraces on the shores of Lake Rotomahana
beside the volcano. People as far away as
Blenheim actually heard the eruption.
Bay Tours are delighted to offer you the rare
opportunity to visit an active volcano – White
Island which is privately owned – as well as
cruising the lakes on both sides of Mt Tarawera that were so dramatically altered by the
eruption. The Volcanic Plateau in the central North Island is a fascinating area with
abundant evidence of the power that sits (mainly) dormant beneath. We’re going to
explore this area and some of its many attractions but you’ve never seen them quite like
this before.
Here’s a brief summary of our planned visit;
Day 1: We head north towards Taupo in the usual way, but we turn south and follow the
lake to Turangi and the brand new Volcanic Activity Centre. A great way to set the
scene for the days ahead. Lunch is right on the southern shores of Lake Taupo at
Braxmere Resort at the ancient village of Waihi near Tokaanu. Then we follow the
western side of the lake north to Rotorua and our base at the lovely Novotel Lakeside
Hotel.
Day 2: After a leisurely start to the
morning we’re taken on a walking tour
of the lakeside village of Ohinemutu,
the first settlement of what would
become Rotorua City. After lunch we’re
collected from our hotel for an
amphibious ‘Duck Tour’ out to Lake
Tarawera in modified WWII landing
craft. This will be a unique perspective on both road and water as we begin the amazing
story of the Tarawera Eruption. Huge fun!
Day 3: This morning we complete our Tarawera odyssey with a visit to the Waimangu
Volcanic Valley on the other side of the volcano culminating in a guided cruise across
24 |Lake Rotomahana where it’s now believed part of the Pink Terraces still exist below
the water. After lunch, we return to town and there’ll be the option for a hot pool soak at
the Polynesian Spa.
Day 4: Today, in what will probably be the
highlight of the tour, we’ll fly by helicopter
leaving from close to our hotel, out to White
Island 48 kilometres off the Bay Of Plenty
coast. As we approach the island the aerial view
of New Zealand’s only permanently active
volcano will be breath-taking. Once we land on
the crater floor our pilot will guide us around
the crater to steam vents, hot streams, sulphur
formations and to the steaming crater itself.
We’ll see the crumbling ruins of the sulphur factory that was abandoned in 1933 and
learn how the landscape is constantly changing. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience
and on many peoples ‘bucket-list’. Tonight, back in Rotorua, we’ll enjoy a truly sumptuous
buffet (and sunset) at the restaurant at the top of the Skyline Gondola. What a day for
the memory.
Day 5: After yesterday’s excitement, we can enjoy a relaxed start to the day. Have a late
start or go for a final wander along the Rotorua lakefront. We stop at Taupo for lunch
before heading home.
This tour is a chance to experience what precious few Kiwis will. A visit and walk on an
active volcano. Our land is truly one of fire and ice. We often take the powerful forces that
lurk beneath us for granted. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience them up close.
Tour No. 606
Huka Lodge #1
Date Wednesday 6 June
Times All collected by 9.15am
Cost $175.00
Payment Full payment upon booking please
Price includes Door to door transport, 3 course lunch, tour of Huka Lodge
Here is your chance to experience a delicious 3 course
lunch at world famous Huka Lodge. Founded in the
1920s, Huka Lodge is considered to be the iconic New
Zealand luxury retreat and we are looking forward to
dining like royalty.
We will also have the opportunity to tour this stunning
property on the banks of the Waikato River. These
lunches have proven to be hugely popular in the past and
the intimate dining room at Huka Lodge will always mean numbers are limited.
| 25You can also read
