New Zealand
August Dates:

 

Click the date links on the left to view photos from each day of the journey, or the location links listed for each day to visit New Zealand websites.

Week One  

After flying into Auckland . Stop at Matamata (aka Hobbiton) to tour the farm where that part of Lord of the Rings was filmed, then lunch at "Workman's Cafe" . Check into Millenium Hotel . Dinner in Rotorua ...

Monday, August 7:

Whakarewarewa Thermal Area . Guided tour, cultural performance, Maori hangi lunch (10am-3pm) . Evening with light evening meal at Polynesian Pools ...

Tuesday, August 8:

Agrodome (sheep shearing) and time for shopping. Lunch at agrodome and bungy jumping for the brave. Walk to Tamaki Maori Village in evening, hangi dinner, and tour of traditional Maori crafts

Wednesday, August 9:

Waitomo Caves (glowworms). Lunch at Glenarden Kiwifruit Farm in Te Awamutu. Dinner at Rotorua McDonalds!

Thursday, August 10:

Skyline gondola and luge rides. Buffet lunch at Cableway Restaurant. Afternoon free time . Light BBQ dinner at 7pm at Rainbow Springs

Friday, August 11: Waimangu Volcanic Valley ** Lake Rotomahana Voyager Boat Cruise ** Te Ariki Historical Bush Walk ** Lake Tarawera Boat Cruise ** Historic Maori rock paintings ** Te Wairoa Buried Village . Hangi dinner and Maori concert at hotel
Saturday, August 12:

Leave Rotorua for Taupo . Lunch in Orakei-Korako Cave and Thermal Park . hope to see Mt Ruapehu (aka Mount Doom) from a distance . 30 minutes in Taupo, largest crater lake in NZ, then on to Napier. Check into Fountain Court Motel . Dinner in Napier, browse art deco buildings

Week Two  
Sunday, August 13: Bus at 7:30am to Gisborne for arrival at 12:30 . First rehearsal in Gisborne. Pizza delivered. Check in at White Heron Motel
Monday, August 14: AM: Students rehearse at GGHS . Lunch at Lindauer Cafe then tour of Lindauer Winery and Museum . Dinner at Cosmopolitan Club
Tuesday, August 15: AM: Students rehearse at GGHS . Lunch at motel . Teachers tour local schools ... Whangara for Whale Rider tour . Dinner at World Cafe in Gisborne
Wednesday, August 16: AM: Students rehearse at GGHS ... adults tour Eastwoodhills Arboretum or shop / self guided walking tour. . Maori Art Talk at Polytech Institute at 5pm . Dinner at Cosmo Club
Thursday, August 17: AM: Final rehearsal at GGHS. Evening performance
Friday, August 18: From Gisborne to Tauranga through Waioeka Gorge. Fish and Chips lunch in Mount Maunganui at Dive Crescent Harbour. Check into Oceanside Motor Inn and Twin Towers Resort . Relax and shop . Dinner at Latitude Restaurant
Saturday, August 19: Breakfast at Chez Gould . Lunch and shopping at Clevedon, last chance to shop, then head to Auckland airport

Last update: June 13, 2007

@ cathyhiggins.net 2007