SEE ALSO
- Lord of the Rings New Zealand Self-drive
- Great Aussie Road Trip Vacations
"Whale Rider" movie poster
WHALE RIDER, the internationally acclaimed movie made in New Zealand, opened in theatres around the world in 2003. This large-budget production was filmed on the East Coast of New Zealand and has distribution deals around the world.
Maori Culture
Bay of Islands
Thermal Reserves
On the Beach... Gisborne
Napier
New Zealand Self Drive Ideas
Whale Rider Self Drive
12 days
New Zealand must be the luckiest tourist country in the world, with its spectacular mountains, active volcanos, deep fiords and rugged coastline, picturesque lakes, streams and beaches, bubbling mud pools and geysers, its unique Maori culture and warm hospitality.
Enjoy New Zealand on your self-drive tour. Experience the magic of breathtaking scenery and majestic vistas while perhaps taking in the sites where the movie "Whale Rider" was filmed.
Keisha Castle-Hughes stars as Pai in the award-winning film Whale Rider
Day 1: Arrive Auckland. Upon arrival into Auckland, please collect your National rental car and proceed to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Heritage Auckland
Day 2: Auckland – Bay of Islands. Depart Auckland and travel north through beautiful coastal scenery to Whangarei and north to the Bay of Islands. This evening enjoy a show combining Maori culture and live drama using sound and lights to add dramatic effect.
This story is told through the eyes of a grandmother talking to her grandson covering a thousand years. From Kupe the first Maori to discover this land up to the present including events surrounding the Treaty of Waitangi.
This is achieved through visions and transitions from the present to the past.
Copthorne Hotel and Resort. (2 nights)
Day 3: Bay of Islands At Leisure. Today is free to relax at your leisure. Take advantage of the Flexi ticket (additional costs). This ticket gives you the flexibility to travel on one or two of the sightseeing excursions offers in the Bay of Islands as follows: Supercruise including "Hole in the Rock" and "Cream Trip", Dolphin Discovery, Cape Brett "Hole in the Rock" cruise or the Cape Reinga Wanderer via 90 mile beach (tour only).
Day 4: Bay of Islands – Auckland.
Journey back to Auckland today at your leisure. The remainder of the day is yours to explore.
Heritage Auckland
Day 5: Auckland – Rotorua. Depart Auckland this morning for your drive to Rotorua. This evening enjoy a Maori Hangi (feast). Welcome to a world of ancient Maori and proud warriors – a world that unfolds with a journey back in time through the Maori village of "Te Tawa Ngahere Pa".
Experience the pre-European lifestyle and customs of the ancient Maori ancestors as the village comes alive with tribal songs, dances and activities. Enjoy a night of truly authentic, traditional culture and entertainment. Feast on a selection of foods cooked the traditional Maori way on hot stones in an authentic earthen oven. Tour includes transport to and from accommodation with coach commentary and Maori guide to instruct you on protocol.
Millennium (2 nights)
Day 6: Rotorua Sightseeing. Morning tour includes Rainbow Springs, Rainbow Farm, Te Whakarewarewa thermal reserve and Te Puia. This afternoon depart Rotorua for the drive to Mt. Tarawera for a guided 4WD tour and a walking exploration to the summit at an altitude of 1111 metres. Mt. Tarawera plays an important part in the history of Rotorua, and is sacred and under the guardianship of the Ngati Rangithi Maori Tribe. It last erupted on 10th June 1886. Enjoy the thrill of the scree slide into the crater and experience the magnitude of its beauty.
Day 7: Rotorua – Whakatane. Depart Rotorua today for the hours drive to Whakatane. A small township which rests in the coastal heart of the Eastern Bay of Plenty, where a mighty bluff rises above the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy an optional tour to White Island (own expense) which has a huge active volcano.
White Island Rendezvous Motel
Day 8: Whakatane – Gisborne. Drive to Gisborne today, the most easterly city in New Zealand.
Experience being in the first city in the world to see the sun of each new day. This is also the town nearest to the location of Whale Rider the movie!
Portside Hotel (2 nights)
Day 9: Gisborne At Leisure. Enjoy plenty of time today to go on a guided tour to see where Whale Rider was filmed in Whangara (optional extra). Marae guides are also available for hire to explore the Rongopoai Marae, the oldest marae (meeting place).
Day 10: Gisborne – Napier. Follow the Pacific Coast Highway down from Gisborne and Wairoa through native and exotic forests. Witness the dynamic coastline of Mahia Peninsula and experience the Morere Hot Pools and exquisite Maori carvings at Kahungunu Marae. In Hawke's Bay the sparkling Pacific Ocean forms a stunning backdrop to internationally renowned vineyards that produce award-winning wine.
Continue on to Napier,
which is world famous for unique architecture and the legacy of the great earthquake of 1931. Absorb the splendour of Art Deco and Spanish Mission buildings that make the region one of the most unique architectural centres in the world. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Perhaps visit a winery.
County Hotel
Day 11: Napier – Wellington. Journey to Wellington traveling via beautiful scenery and one of New Zealand's best wine growing areas. Once in Wellington
- The nations capital is home to Te Papa – the interactive Museum of New Zealand, numerous art galleries and national treasures such as the original Treaty of Waitangi. A diverse range of cafes and restaurants support the city's vibrant nightlife.
The Duxton
Day 12: Depart Wellington. Today is at leisure until you drop off your rental car. Depart Wellington.
PRICE INCLUDES:
- Goway Standard Co-pilot kit including backpack, driving booklet and maps
- 12 Days Hertz Group E car rental
- 11 nights accommodation
- Evening Treaty of Waitangi Sound and Light show (Culture North) Includes: Return hotel transfers, The Waitangi Production, Maori culture & live drama and mixing of cast & public.
- Evening Hangi and Concert Combined
- Morning half day Discover Rotorua Tour
- Afternoon half day Mt Tarawera 4wd Tour
