Hosted Tour: 8 days / 7 nights
Departing Tue 21st Apr 26
On the morning of Day one we are collected from our Whangarei homes and head south via State Highway 16, stopping in at the Kaipara Coast Sculpture Gardens to kick-start our explorations before continuing on to Hamilton (1 night).
Day 2 we drive further south, with a visit to Waitomo Caves. Here we descend the spiral entrance to the lesser-known Ruakuri Cave, then it is on to Taumaranui (2 nights), gateway to the Forgotten World Highway.
Day 3 we delve into the Highway, with a journey by rail cart. These converted golf carts offer a unique perspective to this part of the world, taking in tunnels and bridges along 42km of rail track from Okahukura to Tokirima. We then return to Taumaranui for another night.
Day 4 we strike off on the Forgotten World Highway by road, travelling from Taumaranui through to Stratford on State Highway 43 enjoy the scenery as your driver navigates the tunnels, stopping at various scenic spots along the way. Don’t forget to pack your passport, as for lunch we’ll cross the border into the Republic of Whangamomona. After lunch we’ll continue on through Stratford, then spend the night in Hawera (1 night).
Day 5 we’ll visit the excellent Tawhiti Museum – one of NZ’s largest private museums – to take in the Traders & Whalers exhibit and enjoy scenes of early NZ brought to life through a mixture of dioramas and full scale models. This afternoon we’ll head through to Whanganui (2 nights).
Explore Whanganui on Day 6 – take a ride on the Waimarie Paddle Steamer and travel on Durie Hill – the only elevator in NZ that forms part of the public transport system. We start our journey home on Day 7, completing the Forgotten World circle by travelling north on State Highway 4, with various stops along the way. We’ll break the journey with another night in Hamilton (1 night), before continuing back to Whangarei, with one last stop at the Waitakaruru Arboretum and Sculpture Park.
…A Forgotten World Adventure You’ll Never Forget!
Your Hosted Tour Includes:
- You, Me & Friends Host/Driver/organiser
- Pick up & drop off from your central Whangarei home
- Van transport for 8 Days
- Road trip snacks and refreshments
- 2 nights accommodation in Hamilton
- 2 nights accommodation in Taumaranui
- 1 night accommodation in Hawera
- 2 nights accommodation in Whanganui
- Daily breakfasts
- Entrance to Kaipara Coast Sculpture Gardens
- Guided tour through Ruakuri Cave, Waitomo
- Forgotten World Highway Rail Cart Experience
- Scenic Drive through Forgotten World Highway
- Entrance to Tawhiti Museum
- Entrance to Traders & Whalers exhibit at Tawhiti Museum
- River cruise on Waimarie Paddle Steamer
- Return ticket on Durie Hill Elevator
- Entrance to Raetihi Dinosaur House
- Entrance to Watakaruru Arboretum & Sculpture Park
Share twin: $3,550 per person / Single room: $4,300 per person
