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7 day northern experience | back to itineraries index Day 1: Auckland - Whitianga Day 2: Whitianga Day 3: Whitianga - Tauranga Depart Whitianga for Tauranga along the Pacific Coast Highway, passing through the coastal townships of Tairua and Whangamata. Be sure to take in Whangamata's 'Ocean Beach' - mile after mile of white sandy beach, complemented by the blue waters of the Pacific. Arrive in the Bay of Plenty region early afternoon and spend the rest of the day exploring the growing city of Tauranga. This region seems to have it all - a mild, sunny climate, some of the country's most popular beaches and an abundance of orchards, especially kiwifruit, avocado and citrus. (Suggested Bay of Plenty accommodation) Day 4: Tauranga - Rotorua Take State Highway 33 to Rotorua, leaving the Pacific Coast Highway touring route behind. Spend the remainder of Day Four in Rotorua. From the moment people arrive in Rotorua they know they're somewhere quite different. At nearby geothermal hotspots there are geysers spouting, mud pools bubbling and belching and warm geothermal springs and ponds that create a kaleidoscope of colour. In the evening, entertainment could include a Maori cultural performance or a swim in a hot mineral pool to relax and unwind after a busy day. (Suggested Rotorua accommodation) Day 5: Rotorua - Taupo Depart Rotorua for a short journey through to the Lake Taupo region on State Highway 5. If time allows, stop at Orakei Korako thermal area. Access to Orakei Korako is by boat and the average sightseeing time is about one hour. Taupo is the main centre in the region and Lake Taupo is also one of the North Island's most popular holiday destinations, both in summer and in winter. Arrive in Taupo by midday to allow plenty of time to see the many attractions in this area. Overnight in Taupo. (Suggested Taupo accommodation) Day 6: Taupo - Napier Depart Taupo on the Thermal Explorer Highway (State Highway 5) for the Hawke's Bay region. This road is also known as the Napier-Taupo Road, linking Taupo with Napier. It runs from rugged mountain range to gentle plain, from desert-like pumice lands to a vineyard area and from marginal farmland to well cultivated fields. Basking in a Mediterranean climate, the Hawke's Bay region is known for its wine, food and fabulous scenery. Over 30 vineyards offer visitors a wine tasting and indoor/outdoor dining experience. Napier and Hastings, the two main centres in the region, have a high concentration of Art Deco and Spanish Mission architecture. (Suggested Napier accommodation) Day 7: Napier - Wellington Depart Napier for Wellington. State Highway 2 heads south through the Wairarapa and arrives into Wellington over the Rimutaka Hill and through the Hutt Valley. Options include stopping at the small country towns of Carterton, Greytown, Featherston or Martinborough in the Wairarapa on the way through. In Carterton you can go rafting, river-bugging, kayaking, abseiling, rap-jumping and bridge swinging, or in Martinborough, check out one of the 26 vineyards in and around this village-like town.
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