New Zealand tour itinerary name and information

MoaTours - East Cape Caper

Get a taste for New Zealand the way it used to be. Take the road less travelled around the stunning East Cape to Hicks Bay and on to Gisborne and Rotorua, enjoying local hospitality along the way.

Tour special blurb

Tour map

MoaTours clients enjoying a splash on the coast

Quick itinerary details

Currency selector

All prices are in

Tour summary and feature

New Zealand small group tour

This suggested tour costs from NZD$2,690 per person (twin share, low season)

Starts in Auckland, finishes in Auckland

6 days/5 nights

Pre and post tour options? YES

Viewed 7 times in the last 7 days

This tour also includes

Visit a Kiwifruit Orchard

Visit to the East Cape Manuka Company

5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners

price pp from

NZD$2,690

twin share/double

See all Dates & Prices Get Instant Quote View Detailed Itinerary Book Now Enquire Now

Tour at a glance

Brief itinerary - MoaTours - East Cape Caper

Day 1: Auckland to Whakatane. Accommodation: White Island Rendezvous Motels

Day 2: Whakatane to Hicks Bay. Accommodation: Hicks Bay Motel

Day 3: Hicks Bay to Gisborne. Accommodation: Senator Motor Inn

Day 4: Sightseeing in Gisborne. Accommodation: Senator Motor Inn

Day 5: From Gisborne start the journey north to Rotorua. Accommodation: Novotel Lakeside Rotorua

Day 6: Return to Auckland.

Detailed itinerary

Tour full itinerary

Day 1 - Auckland to Whakatane

Depart Auckland

Head eastwards over the Hauraki Plains to Waihi for a stroll in a historic goldmining town. After drive to Mount Maunganui for lunch and then on to a kiwifruit orchard and tour by special transport. Continue to Whakatāne and your waterfront motel just opposite the Whakatāne Wharf. This evening dine out with your travel companions.

Your accommodation: White Island Rendezvous Motels

Situated opposite the picturesque Whakatāne Wharf, the White Island Rendezvous motels offer great facilities in a quiet location. Only a few minutes walk from Whakatāne’s boutique shopping and numerous restaurants.

Meals included: Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation details

Day 2 - Whakatane to Hicks Bay

Journey to Hicks Bay

There are stunning views along the dramatic coastal highway leading to Te Kaha where you'll stop for lunch at Tui Lodge. At the East Cape Manuka Company, stop and meet the pioneers of Manuka oil. Tonight stay at Hicks Bay Motel Lodge and dine in.

Your accommodation: Hicks Bay Motel

Overlooking natural waterways & breath taking Pacific ocean vistas, Hicks Bay Motel offers the most tranquil and relaxing settings among the East Cape hotels. Set on a 14 acre bluff, 250 metres above sea level, in historic and botanically protected, unspoilt Maori Reserved Land.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation details

Day 3 - Hicks Bay to Gisborne

Visit the stunning St Mary's

Visit Te Araroa's huge pohutakawa tree and St Mary's, a beautifully decorated church built in 1926 as a memorial to the soldiers of Ngati Porou who died in World War I. Mt Hikurangi, the first place to see the sunrise, dominates the landscape.
Tokomaru and Tologa Bay Wharves are relics of the days when the sea provided easier access than roads. At Anaura Bay you will lunch at "Rangimarie" to enjoy Judy Newell's hospitality and the magical views. Here you stay two nights in Gisborne tonight, dining out.

Your accommodation: Senator Motor Inn

Stylish and comfortable motel accommodation in the heart of Gisborne - Senator Motor Inn offers this and more. Our modern harbour side motel is a two minute walk to Central Gisborne’s shops, bars, cafes and restaurants.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation details

Day 4 - Sightseeing in Gisborne

Explore Gisborne

Drive in a special vehicle through world-renowned Eastwoodhill Arboretum, 65 hectares of trees and shrubs. Then, lunch at Bushmere Estate and taste their wines before visiting Tairawhiti Museum displays and sightsee around Gisborne.

Your accommodation: Senator Motor Inn

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation details

Day 5 - From Gisborne start the journey north to Rotorua

Start the ascent north

This morning visit Prof Jack Richard's and Won Gyu Moon's stunning coastal garden, Tiromoana, at Wainui Beach then drive through the beautiful native forests of the Waioeka Gorge.
Stop for lunch in the seaside town of Opotiki before travelling westward to Rotorua, passing by the bush-clad shores of Lake Rotoma and Lake Rotoiti. In the summertime, both lakes are popular holiday spots. On arrival at your hotel, you could enjoy a dip in the indoor thermal pools.

Your accommodation: Novotel Lakeside Rotorua

Novotel Lakeside Rotorua is a 4.5 star property located on the picturesque shores of Lake Rotorua and set in park surroundings. Just minutes from the city centre, cafes and restaurants plus the numerous tourist attractions including water activities on the lake, a golf course, museum, and thermal reserves.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation details

Day 6 - Return to Auckland

Rotorua and back to Auckland

This morning we sightsee in Rotorua including the Museum’s gardens and the geothermal activity in Kuirau Park. We drive to Lake Tarawera and enjoy lunch with the Walmsley family at the Buried Village before returning to Auckland.

Get an instant quote for this tour

Tour quick quote

You are quoting for the - MoaTours - East Cape Caper

Step 1: Choose start date for your tour here

Step 2: Select number of guests and room configuration

Select number of adult per room type

Single occupancy (based on 1 adult in one room)

Double room (based on 2 adults in 1 room, 1 bed)

Twin room (based on 2 adults sharing 1 room with 2 beds)

NOTE: Quotes are subject to availability of specific accommodation and other inclusions. Our NZ touring experts will be in touch with you regarding this. Costs quoted in currencies other than New Zealand dollars (NZ$) are based on todays exchange rate and is subject to change.Terms and Conditions apply.
Remember - we can create this itinerary with any style of accommodation or customise to suit your interests and time frame. Just get in touch with us today.

Departure dates & prices

Tour departure list

All scheduled departure dates & prices for this tour : MoaTours - East Cape Caper

This tour has 3 departure dates.

All prices are in

Starts	Status	Twin/Double (2 people sharing)	Single occupancy	You save
Oct 9, 2021 (Saturday)		NZD$2,690	NZD$3,090	save NZD$0pp	Enquire Book
Nov 1, 2021 (Monday)	Check with us	NZD$2,690	NZD$3,090	save NZD$0pp	Enquire Book
Feb 8, 2022 (Tuesday)		NZD$2,690	NZD$3,090	save NZD$0pp	Enquire Book