3 week Central North Island Sports Club Tour

This itinerary can be modified to include different destinations and any other sports clubs subject to available venues and willing sports clubs in each centre. This particular tour is designed for lawn bowlers but would work equally well with other sports.

Day 1 Arrive Auckland – day at own arrangement.
Your hotel is in the heart of central Auckland City so plenty to see and do.
Dinner own arrangement

Day 2 Breakfast at hotel
Your coach & driver will arrive to take you to your first bowling day on Auckland’s North Shore.
Light lunch and after games dinner will be provided at the club.
After dinner return to hotel.

Day 3 Auckland Sightseeing. You will drive along the south side of Auckland Harbour to Mission Bay returning via Parnell and the Auckland Domain you will then head north over the Auckland Harbour Bridge to Takapuna. If it is a sunny day remember to bring your swimsuits as you will stop at Takapuna Beach.
You will then head for the Edwardian Village of Devonport.
Shuttle bus to the summit of Devonport’s landmark Mt Victoria. This extinct volcano gives you spectacular 360 degree view of Auckland City and the Gulf.
Browse through Devonport village then return ferry to Auckland City an afternoon at leisure or shopping.
The rest of the afternoon you can relax or shop as you see fit.

Day 4 Auckland – Waitomo Caves - Rotorua
Depart Auckland for Waitomo Glow worm Caves tour.
Depart Waitomo for Rotorua
Mid afternoon accommodation check-in.
Relax in your individual hot plunge pool or the large outdoor pool.
Meet your driver to walk to your Hangi buffet meal and Maori concert party.

Day 5 Sightseeing in Rotorua
Agrodome Farmshow
Paradise Valley Springs – rainbow trout, wildlife etc
Proceed to Skyline Gondolas for a cable car ride up Mt Ngongotaha for fabulous view of Lake Rotorua. Have lunch at the skyline Café.
Depart for Te Puia Geothermal & Maori Arts & Crafts. You will have your own guide for your trip through Te Puia.
Depart for Polynesian Thermal Pools & Spa

Day 6
Depart for continued Rotorua brief sights, shopping & early lunch.
Arrive at your venue for bowls afternoon.
Post games dinner at the bowling club.

Day 7 Rotorua – Gisborne
Depart Rotorua across the east coast to Whakatane and on to Opotiki
Lunch at Opotiki with optional museum visit, walk to wharf etc
Depart Opotiki to drive through the Waioeka Gorge and the Urewera National Park to Gisborne.
Check in to your accommodation.
Depart for dinner in Gisborne

Day 8 Bowls Day at Gisborne Bowling Club
Lunch & dinner at club

Day 9 Gisborne – Napier
Depart Gisborne
Mission Estate Vineyard lunch (cost included)
Proceed on your guided walking tour of Napier’s Art Deco buildings.
Hotel check in.
Dinner at own arrangement

Day 10 Bowls Day
Morning at leisure in Napier
Arrive at Napier bowls venue
Dinner at the club

Day 11 Napier to Taupo
Depart Napier
Jet boat ride on the Waikato River and view the sluice opening at the Aratiatia Hydroelectric dam
Your coach will then drop you in central Taupo and collect you at time agreed with your driver - to check in to your accommodation.
Dinner at hotel

Day 12 Bowls Day
Morning at leisure then depart for bowling club
Dinner at club

Day 13 Taupo to Hamilton
Depart for sightseeing in Taupo – Huka Falls & Wairakei Geothermal Power Station lookout
Arrive Tirau for lunch break and a look around the various antiques shops etc
Depart Tirau to head for Hamilton
Stop at Hamilton Garden for a look around this excellent collection of multi-national gardens.
Optional visit to Hamilton Museum

Day 14
Depart hotel for brief Hamilton sights - walk along the river banks of the Waikato River or Hamilton Lake.
Afternoon bowls at Hamilton venue.
Dinner at the club

Day 15 Cambridge Bowls Day
Coach will depart for your bowling day driving through Waikato horse breeding territory to your Cambridge bowls venue.
Dinner at the club then return to Hamilton accommodation

Day 16 Hamilton – Waihi – Whangamata
Depart Hamilton to Waikino Station Café for morning tea before departing on your train ride through the gorge to the township of Waihi
Then enjoy a guided tour of Waihi’s Martha Hill goldmine followed by lunch in Waihi

Depart Waihi for Whangamata
Check in to your accommodation
Relax by the pool

Day 17 Whangamata Bowls
Light lunch and dinner at the club

Day 18 Whangamata to Auckland
Depart Whangamata
Lunch stop at Auckland Regional Botanic Garden
Optional stop at Onehunga factory shop outlets

Day 19 Auckland Bowls afternoon
Morning at leisure
Dinner at club

Day 20 Auckland sights
Paddleboat coffee cruise on the paddleboat Waipa Delta
3 choice option for the afternoon:
1. Museum of Transport & Technology.
2. Auckland Zoo
3. St Lukes Shopping Mall for those who want some last minute shopping time
Any attractions at group choice and cost.
Farewell Dinner

Day 21 Departure.
2010 price guide NZ$3500 per person (twin share) for groups of 30 or more. (Single room surcharge applies) Airfares to and from Auckland are not included.
Price includes all transport as per itinerary, accommodation and attraction entries (other than optional activities). Breakfast and evening meals (unless specified) are also included as are all club costs.
Prices may vary depending on accommodation standard requested.